The Fairfaxian/Mike Ghiringhelli
The year was 1944. World War II was raging, Franklin D. Roosevelt was our country’s president, a loaf of bread was nearly 10 cents, the average monthly rent was $50, and in the small town of Fairfax, California, a future icon was born.
Meet the legendary Ed Bacci, lifelong Fairfax resident, and honorary Don of the Downtown.
Marin’s most famous native born bartender, the cocktail slinger is known for his colorful stories and original home town, down to earth style. Ed Bacci is all that and more.
Ed is the owner of Nave’s, a friendly, old school, blue collar, neighborly watering hole, located on Bolinas Road in downtown Fairfax.
The affable and handsome silver-haired Bacci, has been behind the plank in the heart of our entertainment district since 1979, where he was a star bartender for Chuck Peri, owner of Peri’s Bar fame.
Old school Fairfax was inundated with classic bars in the 1930’s, often referred to as dive bars, throughout its storied and colorful history.
After Prohibition ended in 1934, and the secretive days of Bootleggers came out of the shadows, basements, and back door closets, legal bars sprung up like wild California Poppy flowers, in this party-hearty town otherwise known as Fairfax.
The Naves location was originally the Cascade Market, owned by Paul and Minnie Nave. Ironically, Romeo Bacci, Ed’s father, was the local butcher at the Cascade.
The Naves closed the market, and started their namesake bar in 1934. Back then the “establishments” in the now 94930, opened up at 6 a.m. and closed at 2 a.m. What happened between those closed four hours? One can only imagine. More on that in another story.
Minnie was responsible for opening the tavern up at 6 a.m. — like an early Starbucks, but serving more than just a cup of coffee. Cocktails were two bits and Budweiser was the most popular beer in town.
In 1972 the Nave family sold the bar to Steve Hercorn, and he had a good 11 year run. Lots of exciting things were going on in the 70’s, and Naves was as close to a fern bar as a Fairfax bar can be, without overtly crossing the line. Rock stars, the movers and shakers, and the politicians loved the joint. Grateful Dead members were rumored to be hanging, and it was the grooviest vibe in town.
In 1983 Ed had a chance to purchase Nave’s, and he did. His life’s dream had come true. Owning a bar, and bartending in your hometown is very cool, and Ed has a sincere passion for the profession and craft.
Chris McCarthy, the owner of nearby Mac’s at 19 Broadway, and a top notch barkeep himself, has known Ed for 40 years. Chris had kind and admirable words for his fellow drink smith.
“Ed is special, one of a kind. He’s a fixture in Fairfax, just an all around nice guy”, said Chris.
Nave’s is a place where certainly everyone knows your name. You may walk in as a stranger, but you’re guaranteed to walk out as a new friend.
Ed explained to me one of his secrets to success – that while you can train almost anyone to make a drink, the art of bartending is much more complicated and nuanced.
“This is really a people business. Everyone becomes part of the family. It’s important to treat each person special”, proclaimed the Don.
It’s a typical Tuesday, high noon, the world is bustling on the outside. However inside at Naves, in Fairfax, the exact opposite is happening. Life stands still, and the universe is temporarily suspended.
Candace Neal, the local gal with a colossal personality, is working the bar. She knows everyone there, and what their favorite libation is. She learned the art of being a great bartender, from her mentor and boss, Ed Bacci. She smiles, she cares, and yes, she knows your name, and likely, your entire family tree. Ancestry.com is not needed here, at the Don’s hangout.
“I absolutely love working for Ed”, she said, adding, ” He has been teaching me for years about being a complete bartender. Respect the work, be passionate, be professional, have fun, and always have a servant’s heart.”
Ed is quite a character. He’s well known for wearing shorts, even at the height of a cold winter day. The Don is the epitome of coolness.
One of Ed’s favorite memories at his fine establishment was throwing a Sopranos party, back in the early 2000’s. Playing the role of Tony was natural for Ed. The Italian Stallion was dressed mafioso style to the hilt, full length coat, black-rimmed fedora, as was everyone in his entourage.
The music from The Godfather was playing in the background, providing the perfect score for the mob style party. Models were dancing on top of the bar. The Don, Ed, was sitting at his favorite table, his back, faced the wall. The guests came by, one by one, to shake his hand, to ask for favors. It was fun for all, and all for fun.
In case you were not aware, the actual bad boys of Bootlegging days were part of the fabric of old school Fairfax, during Prohibition and after. They frequented the many Italian restaurants and bars in our town. They tipped rather large.
The Don of the Downtown. Classic Ed Bacci. A slice of Fairfax history revisited. Come on down and cherish this timeless treasure. Make sure you bring some hard cold cash – they don’t accept credit cards.
Now that, my friends, is what old school is all about.
(Mike Ghiringhelli is a former bartender, former and current bar owner, and a former town council member in Fairfax. Contact Mike for comments, suggestions, and hot tips.)
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