Buy Back Podcast

Synopsis : This week, Nancy from Twisted Tequila Tastings takes John back to school and gives him a solid education on Tequila. Nancy is the founder of Twisted Tequila Tastings, a curated tequila experience with three select tequila experiences. Who better to open John's eyes to the worlds of tequila? ... Unless she brings out the blindfolds, that is... Twisted Tequila Tastings : https://www.t...

Synopsis : Alex rises from the gravely busy business of being a dad), and regales us with tales of Haunted Irish Bars! Grab a beverage of your choosing or follow Alex's recommended drinking list (listed before each tale in this episode) as he tells stories of Ireland's first cereal killer, (Not the Lucky Charms!), turncoat revolutionaries, and paintings from beyond the pale. All this, with...

Synopsis:  All around the globe, bartenders, servers, chefs, and more work hard to keep your restaurant experiences enjoyable and memorable. But we're also no strangers to the spirits that linger long after you go home to your beds. Whether we're stocking up and doing side work in the morning, or restocking to the hum of fridges at the end of the night, we know that we're not always al...

Three-time guest Arianne returns this week and brings along her longtime friend, server and pop-up chef Omar Vallecillo, to The Buy Back table! Omar has walked the fine line between front of house and back of house since he was a young kid growing up washing dishes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After a brief stint shucking oysters in New Hampshire, and then a quick return to New Mexico, Omar took th...

Rachel moved from the Ukraine to Florida as a small, vodka-drinking baby. She learned English at 7, but until then, successfully communicated her needs by biting other children. She reversed snowbirded to New York in 2021 to attend a prestigious college and said, "Ya know what? Forget this!" Since then she has gotten really into fishing. Wait, this is not a fishing podcast, it's a ba...

Synopsis : Allie was born on the night of a hurricane. Some say they named the hurricane Allie after her. 16 years later, her journey in restaurants began. In our DOUBLE SHOT of a season premiere, John sits down with his former student? Kind of. Now Allie works in multiple restaurants, fronts the wedding band Black Ties and Bourbon, and in her own words, "she's going to be farting anyways...

Every time Shaelan O'Connor thinks she's out, they pull her back in. Bartending defined her 20's, and she couldn't imagine her life without restaurants, but her sights have always been set on the big screen. This week, Shae and John look at unique chapters of their lives in the restaurant industry, from youngin's, hostessing and driving pizzas (respectively) and looking up to t...

Never once did Liv think that her job to earn some quick cash as a barista would turn into a career as a bartender. Come with us to the state of Washington where Liv balances both motherhood and like... eight other different jobs. She radiates a joy and a positivity that'll have you smiling this whole episode, and just wait til you get a BINGO on your card, that's when the real fun starts....

This week, you get Part 2 of Bartender (and Author) Jack Terry. From Key West, to Montana, from Pennsylvania to New York City, Jack's been everywhere and done it all. In this week's episode, Jack unites Hooters' waitresses, a wing of the Pentagon, the cast of Dexter, and a guild from the World of Warcraft under the banner of a single cause: Rum. Join us as we talk about the burden of &...

Ladies and Gentleman, Regulars and Patrons, prepare to be amazed as the world wanderer, the tall tower of tonics, the cocktail codex himself, Popcorn Jack, appears on The Buy Back Podcast this week. This week, he enchants listeners with tales of travelling side shows, elevations of immeasurable heights, and maybe shines a light on John's own future!

Heather in San Antonio always keeps her wet vac handy in her truck, so when the restaurant bathroom starts to flood, she doesn't sweat. When the two servers supposed to be on with her don't show, she doesn't sweat. When water starts leaking out the bathroom, and the floor is carpeted... well... find out! Join us this week on The Buy Back Podcast as we sit down with Heather and chat abo...

Knives, Guns, Wooden Legs, Women's Hygienic Products. NeoNazis. These are only a few things that have been used in an attempt to take him down. But Steve in Northern California is still standing. Join us this week for an awesome episode of The Buy Back Podcast where we talk about generational differences, sobriety, and kicking Nazi butts! (Bar Rule: Justin)

Pull up a seat. If you're just joining us (that's weird, go listen to Part 1, ya weirdo) Melissa has found herself in New Orleans and feels her time behind the pine winding down. But she's learning how to enjoy life a little more. But that doesn't mean she's leaving the bar scene entirely, cause someones gotta teach these kids! Join us this week on The Buy Back!

Melissa at Rizzuto's Prime in New Orleans has a commendable amount of years behind the pine. From "gentleman's" clubs, to dive bars, to fine dining, she's seen it all. And she  claims  she can feel the end in sight, but after listening to her passion, we suspect she'll find a way to stay in this business for much longer. Like she said "They just keep pulling her back...

Connor works in a bar like his father before him (and maybe his father's father before him, I don't know we didn't go that far back.) He may be young, but Connor has been working in bars since he was a kid. After being on screen in a bar reality show in Scranton, he now finds himself outside Philly at the Townehouse in Media, PA. Join us this week as we talk about the towns that made u...

Multi-talented Jeremy Radio swings by for a Mai Tai and Malort on The Buy Back this week. Mister Radio has made a name for himself as the best bartender for two years in a row in Charlotte's Hattie's Tap and Tavern and Tommy's bar with his "Econo" Tiki-style drinks. Not only that - Jeremy tours the world slapping de bass, finding his way into some of the best Punk Rock dive b...

We broke down this week. Well, Tristynn broke down in the middle of nowhere and found a dive bar with oysters and a DJ named Parmajawn. On top of that, she makes a fool of John and his claims about red wine and warm drinks. And on top of that all, the most wholesome first drink story we've ever had. Join us this week for Part 2 with Tristynn!

As a huge chapter in her life comes to a close, (Yeah, right! She'll be back) Tristynn stops by The Buy Back studios (Recorded at Diamond Dogs in Astoria, Queens) to reflect on her eleven-year tenure behind the taps. From DC to NYC, from dives to high dines, from granny panties to pharmaceutical parties, she's had quite the journey. Join us for some "cigs inside" this week on The...

Lizz ‘Wizbang’ from Racine switches from doing shots behind the bar to shots at weddings. There are two types of bartenders: those who stay for six months and move on, and those who have staying power. Lizz is one of the golden latter. In Racine, she deals with pipe-smoking scarecrows, bad tippers with wads of cash, and people who think closets are bathrooms. And let’s not judge her for her cockta...

The Real Matty Rangel is back this week! Almost three years ago, Matty was a guest on the podcast, and since then, his presence on social media has only grown. This week, we sit down and discuss about his newest adventures travelling the country, his dedication to bringing awareness to mental health, and ...nicknames? In the episode, Matty claims he's completely average, but he's too humbl...

Courtney is celebrating her 20th year at Jack's Fire Department. Yes, that Jack's. This week, John sits returns from Iceland (and the hospital) to keep it real close to home with this Sunnyside staple. Courtney pulls no punches in this episode. The two "bartners" chat about what it's like to work in a very established local's bar, what it was like growing up in Queens, Jo...

In the Icelandic language, Sigur means Victory, and Sigurjón visiting the Buy Back Podcast this week is DEFINITELY a victory for us. Born and raised in Iceland, Sigurjón finds himself managing Sól, one of Iceland's newest and coolest high class dining spots. Sigurjón started working in restaurants as a quick way to make money when he was younger, partied a little too hard in his late teens and...

BUY BACK IN ICELAND: Jessica has travelled all throughout Europe to find a place that makes her feel like home. Italy, England, Amsterdam, nothing quite did it. But now, in Reykjavik, she may have found a place that makes her feel settled. From coffee shops, to night life, Jessica has done it all and everywhere, and now she invites John into her home to talk about the culture of drinking in Icelan...

Marcos just opened Cousin Larry's in Sunnyside, but he's still a kid at heart. Adulting is hard, and Marcos is finding the perfect balance. From East Village party bars, to the Hamptons, to now the neighborhood of Sunnyside, Marcos has done it all. Join us this week wherever you get your podcasts. The new audio is still a bit tricky, but we're working on it! Hold tight, we're getti...

It's the night before the first night of food service at Drink NYC and Peter just wants "to do dope, cool... sh...tuff..." Tattoo needles are prepped, the ice hasn't been cut with the bandsaw yet, and the powder hasn't been poured into the baggies yet. Wait, what the heck is going on!? You may have seen Peter on social media sitting in his empty bar, feeling low, asking peopl...