Bartender Bangaz

Joseph Guiffre

Welcome to Bartender Bangaz, the podcast where drinks meet real talk! We pull back the curtain on the exciting, challenging, and often hilarious world of the bartending lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned bartender, a passionate bar lover, or just curious about nightlife stories, this is your new favorite spot to hang out. What You'll Find On Our Channel: Industry Secrets & Tips: Actionable advice on cocktail making, customer service, and managing the busy bar life. Bartender Lifestyle Interviews: Unfiltered conversations with industry professionals about their careers, challenges, and best/worst shifts. Hilarious Nightlife Stories: The funniest and craziest things that happen when the lights go down and the drinks start flowing. We release new episodes every week! Subscribe now and let's pour a round!

  1. Why Customer Service Is A Dead Art In Modern Hospitality

    16h ago

    Why Customer Service Is A Dead Art In Modern Hospitality

    Every drink has a story, and every shift has a moment that sticks with you—good, bad, or completely insane. This week on Bartender Bangaz, host Mark "The Shark" is bringing it back to Melville, Long Island, to sit down with a true nightlife legend and one of New York’s biggest promoters, Brian Rosenberg! As the owner of Gossip and founder of Brian Rosenberg Productions, Brian looks back on an incredible 42-year career, sharing wild, unfiltered stories from the frontlines of the 1980s disco scene, legendary Manhattan mega-clubs, and everything in between. In this episode, we dive into: Bon Jovi & Madonna: The unbelievable early days when Jon Bon Jovi actually opened for Brian’s touring rock band, and how Brian bounced back to book Madonna just a few months after launching his promotion company.Studio 54 & The King of Brooklyn: Taking over promotions for the "bridge and tunnel" crowd at Studio 54 after Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell were arrested, and what it was really like handing out 4x6 flyers on 86th Street.The Evolution of VIP Culture: How the nightlife crowd shifted from old-school wise guys sitting back like Scarface ordering champagne to the modern generation wanting to "make it rain" and dance on couches for social media attention.DJ Rules & Club Shenanigans: Why a legendary DJ cracked a Madonna record over his knee, how to properly tip your DJ for requests, and the hilarious secret behind a five-star restaurant serving chopped-up Chicago deep-dish pizza.The Gossip Standard: Brian’s strict rules for hospitality, why genuine customer service is a lost art, and how the introduction of Uber and Lyft changed the nightlife industry forever.Whether you're a classic New York club enthusiast or looking for a masterclass in promotion and old-school hospitality, you do not want to miss these legendary stories!

    1h 41m
  2. The Dumbest Thing A Customer Has Ever Said For A Free Drink

    5d ago

    The Dumbest Thing A Customer Has Ever Said For A Free Drink

    Ever wonder what it’s actually like to survive a summer season slinging drinks on Fire Island? 🌊👀 In Episode 28 of Bartender Bangaz, Mark the Shark catches up with Brenna, a legendary former bartender from the world-famous Schooner Inn in Ocean Bay Park! From her early days navigating chaotic college bars to managing high-anxiety shifts during the madness of Memorial Day Weekend, Brenna is pulling back the curtain on beach bar life. 🔥 Inside this episode: • The ultimate debate: Fire Island's iconic "Rocket Fuel" vs. the bartender-approved "Zippy" 🍹 • The reality of living in a cramped summer share house with 8 girls and 1 broken fridge. • Surviving insane coastal storms: Kayaking down flooded streets and wearing "tin foil shoes." • Why your local friends are actually the hardest customers to clear from your bar. Whether you're a Fire Island regular, a hospitality veteran, or just love wild service industry stories, this uncensored deep dive is for you. Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a comment with your favorite Fire Island memory, and slam the like button!

    1h 33m
  3. Why Big Ed Believes Online Review Trolls Are Killing The Service Industry.

    May 31

    Why Big Ed Believes Online Review Trolls Are Killing The Service Industry.

    Every drink has a story, and this week, we’re pouring the truth straight—no chaser! 🥃✨We are officially kicking off our summer series and taking the podcast out to the iconic Hamptons! In this episode of Bartender Bangazs, host Mark the Shark sits down at The Whale's Tale in Southampton with one of the mastermind owners, Sosh Andriano, along with reality TV legend Big Ed from 90 Day Fiancé! Sosh breaks down his wild introduction to the restaurant industry at 8 years old (involving a 120-degree shark suit and a lot of ice bin chaos) , pulling off a massive half-million-dollar restaurant build in just 7 weeks , and how the entire hospitality business has completely shifted toward media and entertainment since the pandemic. Plus, Big Ed pulls back the curtain on why he packed up and moved out to Long Island to live in Sosh’s basement —and why Sosh's wife threw both of them out of the house after a wild trip back from the city! From sleeping with bunnies to shooting their brand-new show pilot "Big Ed in the Basement" , launching Big Ed Malbec wine , and debating the great canned cocktail phenomenon —this episode is absolute, unadulterated chaos. You don’t want to miss this one. Hit that subscribe button, crack a drink, and come hang out in the Hamptons with us! 🌊☀️

    57 min
  4. The Real Reason People Secretly Get Trapped in the Bar Industry Forever

    May 26

    The Real Reason People Secretly Get Trapped in the Bar Industry Forever

    What happens when you drop the filter and talk about what really goes down behind the bar? In this special crossover episode, the worlds of Sips & Secrets and Bartender Bangaz collide with special guest Leticia Duarte!We dive straight into the psychology of the service industry—from the instant gratification of serving regulars to the dangerous trap of industry complacency. Leticia and the crew get incredibly real about why they miss the absolute chaos of peak rush hours , the dynamic of managing rowdy beach-town crowds , and the ultimate restaurant pet peeve: customers who claim they "know the owner" just to score a freebie. Plus, don't miss the insane story of a sketchy late-night hit-and-run that accidentally launched an 8-year bartending career. Grab a drink, settle in, and get ready for some unhinged industry truths!

    1h 47m
  5. Why Your Bartender Secretly Hates You

    May 17

    Why Your Bartender Secretly Hates You

    Every drink has a story, and every shift has a moment that sticks with you—good, bad, or completely insane." This week on Bartender Bangaz, Mark "The Shark" is saddling up at the Dark Horse Tavern in Bayshore, NY! We’re going behind the laughter and the chaos with owner Joe and veteran bartender Tommy to hear the truth about the industry, straight and no chaser. In this episode, we're diving into: The "O-Bomb" Addiction: Why this signature Bayshore shot is delicious but dangerous—ever had 15 in a night?The "Unclaimed" Fridge: The hilarious reality of what happens to the energy drinks and "fat sandwiches" left behind after the day shift.The 9.2 Score: How they earned a monster rating from the Wing Scout and why the Golden Garlic wings are a "must-try."Customer Pet Peeves: Why whistling, snapping, or tapping your card is the fastest way to get served LAST.The "Fake" Red Bull Secret: Why the gun is actually better than the can.Bar Secrets: Why you should NEVER lie on your resume and how bartenders are actually the neighborhood therapists."Behind the clinking of the glasses, that’s where the real stories live." Smash that subscribe button and pull up a chair! Visit the Dark Horse Tavern: 📍 Bayshore, New York

    1h 22m
  6. This is why we talk about you behind the bar!

    May 10

    This is why we talk about you behind the bar!

    In this episode of Bartender Bangaz, we’re getting into the stuff most owners are too scared to say. The team from Whiskey Down joins us to break down the most annoying, entitled, and flat-out ridiculous customer behavior they’ve encountered since opening their doors. We’re not just talking about bad tips—we’re talking about the lack of respect for the craft and the "main character syndrome" that ruins the vibe for everyone else. If you’ve ever wanted to jump over the bar and give a customer a reality check, this episode is your therapy. What we’re venting about: The Entitlement Trap: Why having money doesn't give you a pass to be a jerk. Whiskey Down Rules: How to actually act in a high-end establishment. The Anatomy of a Bad Guest: Spotting the "problem table" before they even sit down. Protecting the Vibe: Why firing a customer is sometimes the best business move.

    1h 28m
  7. Don't Whistle at Your Bartender (Unless You Want to be Ignored)

    May 10

    Don't Whistle at Your Bartender (Unless You Want to be Ignored)

    Accuracy is better than speed. Once you get it right, the speed follows." This week on Bartender Bangaz, Mark "The Shark" sits down with Jason at Streets of Table in Huntington Station. With 11 years in the game—ranging from bar-backing in Rockville Center to managing corporate and mom-and-pop joints—Jason has seen it all. In this episode, we’re serving up: Rookie Mistakes: Why you should NEVER scoop ice with a glass (and the "walk of shame" when you break it). The "Industry Handshake": How to spot a pro instantly. Wild Stories: From regulars dropping off VHS collections to the guy who shared way too much about his personal life before a "motel meeting". Elevated Street Food: Why the Ramen Stir Fry and Dorito Mozzarella Sticks are game-changers. Bar Laws: Why Jason believes every bartender should be required by law to "straw test" their drinks.

    1h 19m
  8. I’ve Been A Bartender For 30 Years. Don't Ever Do This At My Bar!

    May 3

    I’ve Been A Bartender For 30 Years. Don't Ever Do This At My Bar!

    Every drink has a story, and this week we’re pouring out the truth with a true industry legend! Host Mark is on location in Amityville, NY, at Brazico Brazilian Mexican Kitchen & Bar to chat with Teresa, a top-tier bartender who has seen it all. Teresa takes us through her incredible career—from writing corporate training manuals for Bennigan’s in the '80s and '90s to working at iconic spots like the Bulldog, Babylon Carriage House, and Club Montage in San Diego. In this episode, we dive into: Industry Evolution: How the game shifted from "speed bartending" and "Guido era" culture to today’s craft cocktail experiences.Rookie Lessons: The "life lesson" mistake of walking home with $500 in your pocket and not saving a dime.Wild Stories: Why you should never make your bartender an "accessory" to your secrets.The Brazico Experience: What makes the fusion of Brazilian and Mexican culture and fresh cocktails at this spot so unique.Weirdest Orders: A Cabernet, Triple Sec, and Red Bull concoction that actually exists.Whether you’re a rookie or a vet, Teresa’s advice on the "bartender’s handshake" and utilizing your regulars for life advice is pure gold.

    1h 15m
See All (29)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Bartender Bangaz, the podcast where drinks meet real talk! We pull back the curtain on the exciting, challenging, and often hilarious world of the bartending lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned bartender, a passionate bar lover, or just curious about nightlife stories, this is your new favorite spot to hang out. What You'll Find On Our Channel: Industry Secrets & Tips: Actionable advice on cocktail making, customer service, and managing the busy bar life. Bartender Lifestyle Interviews: Unfiltered conversations with industry professionals about their careers, challenges, and best/worst shifts. Hilarious Nightlife Stories: The funniest and craziest things that happen when the lights go down and the drinks start flowing. We release new episodes every week! Subscribe now and let's pour a round!

Information

  • Creator
    Joseph Guiffre
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © New Image Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Bartender Bangaz

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