Bar Stars Happy Hour

Bar lingo can feel like its own secret dialect, but mastering it can transform the way bartenders, servers, and even guests navigate a night out. In this episode, Tom breaks down the essential terms, phrases, and bits of industry slang that every hospitality pro should know. Whether you're behind the bar or simply sitting at one, understanding this vocabulary will help you communicate more cl...

It's time to level up. In this episode, Tom covers the essential traits and behaviors that all great bartenders have in common. If you learn these, you will no doubt be well on your way to becoming a Bar Star. There are many things bartenders need to learn to be proficient at their craft, and all of them are attainable with effort, practice, and having pride in what you do. Bartending is a pr...

In this episode, Tom covers ten things that bartenders wished that guests knew when they're at the bar or restaurant from a bartender, or servers, point of view. Topics covered such as the importance of ice, trying to get more liquor, and behavior patterns on date nights to name a few. He also dives into one of his favorite cocktail books and covers two cocktails paired with an artist and a s...

Ashlee Gambino is a wife, a mother, former professional boxer, and MMA fighter. Her ascending career was impacted by a terminal disease that has left her fighting for her life. In this episode we discuss what lead her from boxing on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, to ultimately making her way to the professional ranks of boxing and MMA. On the path to being a champion, she experienced major setbacks,...

Chris Cardone is a Restaurant and Bar consultant, Healthy lifestyle coach, public speaker, and the Diageo World Class 2017 Bartender of the Year. Chris has exploded in the world of mocktails and brand education, ensuring the bar is a welcoming and fun place for everyone. In this episode, we talk about having mastery of your craft, the non-alcoholic mocktail explosion, the focus on brand education,...

There's nothing more important in the Bar and Restaurant industry than repeat guests. This episode outlines how to exceed expectations and achieve this with proper training, and outlines ten proven steps of service guidelines for you to train your staff, and follow. If these steps are followed, you are sure to make a lasting impression, and the chances of guest satisfaction and repeat guests...

You can't become a star behind the bar without knowing the basics first. In this episode, I'm taking you back to the basics of bartending with types of glassware, cocktail techiques, components of a cocktail, types of cocktails, and so much more. I also pick a random cocktail from one of my favorite books and tell the story what movie it was featured in, how to make it, and what famous c...

Shaun is a bartender that has worked at some of the most popular places in Las Vegas. Most notably, the world-famous Carnival Court and Circa Hotel and Casino. Shaun has decided to walk out from behind the bar and pursue his desire to serve and help people in a different way as a life coach. In this episode we dive into his decision to pursue life coaching, the fear of trying a new career path, th...

It's the age old debate, are you a bartender or do you consider yourself a mixologist? In this episode, Tom discusses what sets one apart from the other, the mentality of both, and he gives you his position on what he will forever call himself. There's also another segment of Booze and Vinyl which happens to land on one of the most iconic singers and cocktails of all time. Whether you&ap...

Work culture is one of the most important aspects of success in the Food and Beverage Industry. In this Happy Hour, Tom talks about the importance of a healthy work environment and how to assess if it's in need of a change. You'll learn what really matters when it comes to running a successful business, keeping your best employees, and how to get the most out of them on a daily basis. Yo...

In this episode, Tom discusses the many differences between a boss, and a leader. Being a boss, or manager is one thing, but leadership is an acquired skill. He details 10 differences between the two, things to watch for within your own career, and how to become the absolute best version of yourself if you want to become a leader. There’s also a new segment called Booze and Vinyl, based off the in...

If you want to be a Bar Star, one of the first things you'll need is a job! This episode covers the all important job interview. Tom goes over some interviewer questions you may be asked, how to present yourself in the best light, what to have with you day of, and how to manage those pesky curveball questions. Tom also gives you the Bar Stars Happy Hour Cheat Sheet and some examples of answer...

On this episode, Tom does a deep dive into the world of Rum. It's origins as we know them, different types, multiple nicknames, and how it's made. Tom gives you his three favorite Rums to drink, and his favorite Rum cocktails you definitely need to try. He also shares a personal story about the time he and Jackie were stuck in the middle of the Jamaican jungle, and Rum came to the rescue...

How important is the drink menu? Some may say, Very! In this episode Tom talks the importance of having a cocktail menu, why size (of the menu) does matter, and why it's crucial to know how much everything costs in order to price your new menu accordingly. It's one thing to be very good at what you do, it's another to have passion for it. Tom talks about how, and why, having passion...

On this educational episode, Tom talks the difference between stirring vs. shaking cocktails, and when to do each. What are the proper steps to do both? What are the reasons to do each based on the specific cocktail you’re making? And how do you know which one to do? Step up your cocktail game with some easy proper procedures to produce the best cocktails you can! He also addresses the difference...

Enjoy the conclusion of this two part episode with the master mixologist, Livio Lauro! We pick up where we left off with his very interesting, and well thought out answers to Fill The Seats. We also get an exclusive on what he's working on next. And, can he really pin point the exact location where Sambuca was created? All that and much more! Enjoy!  Support the show

We are honored to spend some time with Master Mixologist, author, educator, and so much more, Livio Lauro. In one of our most captivating interviews, he opens up about his life, his passions, his drive, and the need to create a legacy. Livio is is the recipient of several prestigious awards in International cocktail competitions, and recognized in 2002 for passing the final Capo Barman AIBES exam,...

In this weeks episode we talk with Ivan Grant. Ivan works at the long bar at The D Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and has been a big part of the image that is The D. We discuss his long battle with Covid, his viral beer chug videos, his goals to be an actor, and how he transformed his body to become the "beast" he is today! We also address how he creates the ultimate guest experience, an...

In one of our most interesting Happy Hours, we talk to former circus performer turned flair bartender, Aaron Pierce. We begin with his life from an early age in the Big Apple Circus with his family, all the way to bartending in the best, and busiest, bars in Atlanta. He takes some interesting detours along the way with stops in Alaska and the British Virgin Islands, and he tells the stories to pro...

In this Happy hour, we talk with CEO and Founder of Dress The Drink, Cindy McClure. Dress The Drink is the leading manufacturer of gourmet beverage and food garnishes. It's all natural, with the finest ingredients, nose, taste, and look you could ever want, without any artificial preservatives. We discuss how she came up with the idea, play a little game of this or that, and find out what tv...

In part 2 with the flair bartending legend, Tom Dyer, we dive in to the "bottle tin is king" mantra that helped him cap off his competition career with a win. We also discuss the ever changing landscape of flair bartending, that one time at flair camp, and his post competition career becoming a brand, and making branded bar tools. He also "Fills The Seats" with one of the most...

In this Happy hour, we talk with multiple time flair bartending World Champion, and entrepreneur, Tom Dyer. In an interview that was so good we had to make it two parts, we begin by talking his flair beginning, how he got started, and the hilarious reason he wanted to become a bartender in the first place. We discuss the recent closing of one of the most beloved flair bars, Roadhouse, and he spill...

In this episode, I talk with Co-Owner of the brand new Bar and Restaurant, Stick's Tavern in the rejuvenated Water Street District in Henderson, NV. We discuss his path from culinary training to real estate, and back again. We talk about the difficulty of opening a new venue in Covid times, operating out of a ghost kitchen, and how to make your visions become a reality. We share lessons that...

In this Happy Hour, we chat with our very own Jackie Alley. Jackie has worked at some of the nicest, and busiest, places in Las Vegas. Today she shares with us, some stories from the past, what to do under pressure, and gives her Top 5 Tips to being a great server. We also make her play a game of Fill The Seats with celebrities she has actually served, and address the stigma of a server, and wheth...

In this happy hour, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Erin Hayes. She is currently a Partner, and Director of Sales and Trade Advocacy for Westward Whiskey. She is also known to be a true professional behind the pine working for award winning bar programs such as Three Dots and a Dash, The Gage, and Lost Lake in Chicago, Illinois. Do you want to know how to truly execute a Tiki Bar, an...