Woke Up in a Bar

Vito Lantz & Priscilla Benkhart
  • 4.8 (22)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We all had big dreams growing up. Some of us wanted to be metal drummers, stand-up comedians, professional athletes, singers, major league umpires; the list goes on. This podcast is for all our service industry folk who woke up one day to find themselves behind a bar, in a kitchen, or on the floor. Come and join us, the most charming self deprecators in the restaurant biz Vito Lantz and Priscilla Benkhart as we interview our peers and have them painfully relive their long lost dreams for your enjoyment. We woke up in a bar, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

  1. 02/14/2025

    Todd the Whisky Master

    For our 55th episode we have a certified whisky master (no but really, he completed Diageo's Masters of Whisky Program), former line cook, bartender and even DJ, Todd Richman! Todd is currently a Brand Ambassador for Heaven Hill which comes with an impressive and well-rounded portfolio of spirits anyone can enjoy. Before he was on the front lines of a brand he believes in, Todd knew he didn't want a "conventional" career. His restaurant experience ranged from line cook at a restaurant in the West Village to bartending in Wisconsin. Todd's first taste on the sales side of things was as an Area Sales Manager in Metro New York, with a portfolio that was primarily wines, then became the National Chartreuse Brand Ambassador and Specialty Spirit Brand Ambassador for Frederick Wildman & Sons, and truly, the list goes on. Todd has always worked for brands that he believed in and it shows, focusing on how the brand or spirit makes someone feel - he says we connect with memories through taste and smell. Nothing is ever good or bad; he asks, "Is it to your palate?". Todd has been a welcome addition to the Heaven Hill team currently working with Widow Jane out of Red Hook, Brooklyn and FEW out of Evanston, Illinois. Two amazing distilleries with small in-house teams (Widow Jane has 15, FEW has 6) and a care for their product that is undeniable. Join us as we find out how Todd woke up as a brand ambassador in a bar.

    58 min

  2. 01/24/2025

    Jen the Art Historian

    Anddddd we're back for our 54th episode with long awaited guest and overall impressive human - Jen Davis! Jen is the current Beverage Director at Durk's Bar-B-Q and General Manager of The Eddie, both located in Providence, RI. Hailing from Mattapoisett, MA, she grew up working in customer service and started bartending at eighteen, about as early as one can. Jen was getting her undergrad in Art History and got a glimpse of a life that just didn't fit. The restaurant industry proved to be prosperous, but she knew she would have to go all in to achieve the success she desired. With a level of tenacity and the work ethic to humble us all, she devoted her time to educate herself in the vast world of spirits and cocktails. At one point in her career while living and working full-time in Providence, RI, she would travel to and from Manhattan for one shift a week at The Bourgeois Pig. Jen's perspective on cocktail creations has left a mark in this city, relating it to art in an exciting way: "once you learn how to draw the portrait, you can f**k it up". Join us as we chat with Jen about her journey through this industry and how she woke up in a bar (or two).

    1h 10m

  3. 10/25/2024

    Brandon the Horror Movie Maven

    For our 53rd episode we have the electric, horror-enthusiast bartender, writer, filmmaker, musician and nurse - Brandon Perras-Sanchez! You may recognize him from behind the bar at Providence's West End hang, Deadbeats or from Monster Makeup LLC - an independent entertainment company based out of, you guessed it, Providence, RI. Brandon grew up in upstate Vermont and found himself in a successful noise rock/metal band based out of Burlington, VT. In an effort to find a more fitting scene, they moved to Providence and were welcomed with open arms. Here is where Brandon took his first steps into the industry as a barback at popular gay bars Union Street and The Eagle. It was a wild time (cue jock strap night) and after a few years he welcomed his new position as bartender. Around this time, Brandon decided to go to nursing school and became an RN all while staying in the industry and bartending at a local gay strip club, which comes with its own trove of amazing stories. Upon starting his nursing career, he was disappointed with the lack of support for the hard-working staff and although he still picks up nursing jobs today, he found bartending to be more viable. It was during late-night conversations and shared stories/horrors of gay dating apps that we have what is now known as a Drag Queen horror cult classic 'Death Drop Gorgeous'. From there, Monster Makeup was born and along with an amazing team, Brandon has continued to write, act and direct "dark, gore-gasmic, unapologetically queer projects". Join us as we chat with Brandon and find out how he woke up in a bar making horror movies.

    1h 11m

  4. 10/11/2024

    Greg the Traveling Bartender & Wandering Chef

    For our 52nd episode we have a guest with some serious moxie and the talent to back it up - Greg Mayer! Greg has been in the restaurant industry for over fifteen years and started as most of us do - bussing tables at a local restaurant in his hometown Tom River, New Jersey. Greg currently lives in Brooklyn, NY but has utilized his industry skills all over the country, including our very own Providence, RI. After making his way up from busser to line cook rather quickly at his first restaurant job, he decided to pursue a degree at Johnson & Wales focusing on culinary arts but enjoying the multifaceted teachings at the university. Greg's time in a kitchen meant he excelled in his first year classes and it was only up from there. While getting his degree he found himself looking elsewhere in the industry and started his bartending career as a barback at The Dorrance with out very own Vito Lantz. As expected, he became an exceptional bartender and his standout skills brought him to Nashville, TN, Austin, TX (where he was handpicked to be the bar manager) and Brooklyn where he was the New York City Brand Ambassador for Jack Daniels. Greg has had an impressive and successful journey in this industry and it is far from over. Lessons have been learned through trials and tribulations but he is always driven by a familiar quote: "Improvise, adapt and overcome". Join us as we chat with Greg about working the line at sixteen years old, who's giving the best tips to Wawa gas station attendants, how to close a deep cut from broken glass in the middle of service (no, it's not what you would ever expect), how to hang at the Chili's in Lynchburg, TN and how we woke up in a bar.

    1h 7m

  5. 09/27/2024

    Amanda the Photographer

    For our 51st episode we have a beloved member of the industry, owner of neighborhood bar Gilligan's Pub in Providence, RI, Amanda Fullam! Amanda became the official owner in November 2022 after working at nearby Peruvian and Bolivian restaurant, Los Andes for ten years. Gilligan's was the after work spot for her and her co-workers, so needless to say she was a very familiar face to the Oates family who had owned the spot since 1992. When she was looking to own a bar, the opportunity presented itself and Amanda was happy to accept. Los Andes has been recognized as one of the top 100 places to eat in the United States by Yelp and at seventeen years old, this was Amanda's first step into the restaurant industry. Although she started her journey at one of the most loved spots in RI, her dream was to be a photographer and she acquired a BA in Photography at Rhode Island College all while working at Los Andes. After college, she spent a year in California to experience life on the West Coast but sometimes it takes leaving your home to appreciate how wonderful it is. Upon moving back to RI, she made her way up to Beverage Director at Los Andes focusing on fresh ingredients and classic South American spirits. Amanda gained so much from her time at Los Andes but most notably, she met her now husband, Jorge who works alongside her at Gilligan's running a food truck that serves an exciting mix of Guatemalan and Irish fare for late night eats. Join us as we chat with Amanda about the transition from guest to owner, her growth at Los Andes, how food is the way to a woman's heart and how she woke up owning a bar.

    1 hr

  6. 09/12/2024

    BJ the A&R Guy

    It's our semicentennial ya'll and for our 50th episode we have the obsessively inquisitive, community loving, self-proclaimed nerd BJ Mansuetti! Reigning from Narragansett, RI, BJ had big dreams of working as an A&R professional, handling the discovery and development of music artists and songwriters. Growing up, BJ wasn't big on the party scene but around eighteen years old he was introduced to the world of craft beer. His curious mind led him to homebrewing (with the support of his mama) and his quest began. BJ figured bartending school would teach him about flavor profiles but alas, the best thing it did was help him land his first bartending job at an Elk's Lodge. Once he got more familiar with spirits, he started working at a craft cocktail bar and ultimately found himself at one of the biggest taprooms in Boston, MA. During this time BJ was at Northeastern with a focus on artist management, admittedly at a tough time when platforms like Napster were hitting the scene hard. He landed a job in artist management and taught himself how to code for MySpace, graphic design, videography and photography to increase his ability to help these small and budding artists succeed. He then started the New England Americana Festival held in Boston and it was a stellar success, hosting up to 75 New England based bands. BJ has always had a focus on building the community and when Narragansett Brewery, the first sponsor of the festival, reached out to him about a job as their "community guy", he accepted. BJ has since grown as a true community supporter and leader starting his own event company Ampersand Creative Co. with his wife Robin over Covid, knowing that the city of Providence, RI would be in desperate need of a place to meet, eat and be merry. They currently host the The Good Trade Makers Market, Little City Thrifty Vintage Market, RI VegFest, and GFree Fest. We are so grateful to have someone life BJ in our humble little city bringing people together one drink, one meal, and one convo at a time. Join us as we chat with BJ and find out how he woke up in a bar.

    1h 3m

  7. 08/28/2024

    Patty the Scallop Fisherman

    It's our 49th episode and we have the coolest, friendliest fisherman you'll ever meet - Pat McGonagle! Pat's family reigns from Boston, but he grew up right outside of Atlanta, GA. Eventually he made his way to New Bedford and has now been living and loving Providence, RI for the past five years. Pat started in the industry where we all do - bussing tables and washing dishes, working his way up to serving and bartending with his personable attitude and great banter. While in New Bedford, he came to own a beloved hot dog stand - a favorite for many locals of the area. Even with a new name, he was able to keep the regular patrons and made the decision to stay open late night for anyone looking to grab a post-drink bite. Now in Providence, he works as a commercial scallop fisherman with a schedule that allows him to keep a foot in the restaurant industry, helping out at local spots whenever he can. Pat is a hardworking, problem solving, ever-growing, always learning individual which makes him great at everything he tries. Join us as we chat with Pat about the lifestyle of a fisherman, skateboarding, proper rubbish disposal and what lies ahead for our soon to be dad.

    1h 11m

  8. 08/15/2024

    J.R. the Journalist, Public Relations Exec, Bouncer & Bartender

    It's our 48th episode and we have a hometown favorite John "J.R." Richard - owner of The Avery in Providence, RI and co-owner of PTX Lounge in Cranston, RI. A Providence native, J.R. grew up in this evolving city, skateboarding around and popping into the local music scene at it's genesis. His restaurant industry journey didn't start until after college, where he graduated with a degree in Journalism which eventually led him to a career in Public Relations, Communications and lobbying. After working in this field for nine years, his life went on a new trajectory and he started bouncing at the re-open of Lupos. Bouncing led to bartending which was the start of something amazing. J.R. is now a proud owner of RI favorites The Avery for 16 years and PTX Lounge for 6 years. He has a phenomenal relationship with the community and his employees alike with a kindness, consideration and consistency that has established trust and loyalty with everyone involved. Join us as we chat with J.R. about his timeless bars, sponsoring a polo team, teaching his 16 year old daughter how to drive, and being a great dude.

    1h 5m
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4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

We all had big dreams growing up. Some of us wanted to be metal drummers, stand-up comedians, professional athletes, singers, major league umpires; the list goes on. This podcast is for all our service industry folk who woke up one day to find themselves behind a bar, in a kitchen, or on the floor. Come and join us, the most charming self deprecators in the restaurant biz Vito Lantz and Priscilla Benkhart as we interview our peers and have them painfully relive their long lost dreams for your enjoyment. We woke up in a bar, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Information

  • Creator
    Vito Lantz & Priscilla Benkhart
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    Priscilla Benkhart