Bartender Bangaz

Every shift has a moment that sticks with you—good, bad, or completely insane. Welcome back to another episode of Bartender Bangers with your host, Mark the Shark! This week, we are keeping it local and diving deep into the beautiful, chaotic world of Ocean Beach, Fire Island, New York. Mark sits down with his lifelong brother and hospitality veteran, Justin, the part-owner of one of the dopest ne...

What’s up everybody! Welcome back to another legendary episode of Bartender Bangaz! 🌊✨ This week, your host Mark the Shark is back on Fire Island, New York, broadcasting live from The Hideaway in Ocean Beach! We are sitting down with two service industry brothers who keep the engine running: Head Executive Chef Zach Rudd and Head Bartender Andre Deegan. From staff houses burning down on the 4th...

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 inc...

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 pulli...

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...

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 cr...

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 int...

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...

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 sc...

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 l...

This week on Bartender Bangers, we sit down with Tommy from Borrelli’s Tap Room in Long Beach to discuss his "wild ride" through the Long Island hospitality scene. From dressing up as Abraham Lincoln for "Drinking with Lincoln" penny beer nights to managing high-volume spots across Nassau and Suffolk County, Tommy has seen it all. In this episode, we dive into: The Legend of Hofstra Bars: Stories...

Pull up a seat at George Martin Strip Steak in Great River, NY, as we dive deep into the world of upscale hospitality. This week, Mark "The Shark" sits down with Damien, a seasoned pro who has worked everywhere from the Hamptons to Manhattan before finding his home at this intimate Long Island landmark. In this episode, we discuss: The Transition: Moving from "slinging drinks" to truly "tending ba...

Bartender Bangaz heads to Small Craft Brewing in Amityville, NY, for a special episode featuring two sisters who dominate the local service scene. Join host Mark the Shark as he sits down with Ashley (the beer tender) and Chelsea (the coffee tender) to talk shop, sibling dynamics, and why their Tuesday night trivia is the best on Long Island. From the secret behind the legendary 10% ABV Tsunami IP...

This week on Bartender Bangaz, we’re sitting down with a true Long Island staple. Frank Montana of the legendary Montana Brothers joins us to pull back the curtain on three decades in the restaurant business. From the early days in Freeport to becoming a household name, Frank shares the grit, the laughs, and the lessons learned from a lifetime behind the counter and the bar. We dive deep into what...

In Episode 17 of Bartender Bangaz, your host Mark the Shark heads to Bay Shore, New York, to hang out at Goldie’s Gems. We’re sitting down with two hometown legends and "OG" bartenders, Johnny and Michelle, who have been there since day one. From the transition from barista to bartender to the "horrifying" mistakes made during a rookie shift, Johnny and Michelle pull back the curtain on the servic...

Welcome to Episode 16 of Bartender Bangaz! 🍹 This week, we’re heading back to Long Beach, NY, to sit down with the powerhouse owner of The Merrow, Amanda—better known to everyone as Pookie. From her early days starting out at Montego Bay to training under industry OGs in the West Village and Brooklyn, Pookie has seen every side of the hospitality world. She opens up about the "push" she needed to...

In this episode of Bartender Bangaz, host Mark "The Shark" sits down with Ruby and Tim, the powerhouse duo behind Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh, NY. From their chance meeting in Long Beach to running one of the most legendary bars on the Island, they’re pouring out the truth straight—no chaser. In this episode, we dive into: The Wild Start: How a friend ripping up Ruby’s resume actuall...

Welcome back to Bartender Bangers! This week, Mark heads to Sunnyside, Queens, to sit down with the "Bombshell of Sunnyside," Nichelle, at the iconic Maggie Mae’s bar. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Nichelle shares her journey from starting as an underage cocktail server to working in some of New York’s most famous gentlemen's clubs and rooftops. We dive deep into what it’s real...

In this episode of Bartender Bangaz, we’re pulling up a stool at Phil's Only in Syosset to sit down with the one and only Anthony. Known to millions as the "Pizza Ambassador," Anthony’s journey is anything but ordinary. He takes us from his humble beginnings as a "baby dishwasher" to becoming a viral sensation on social media by doing something most restaurants would never dare: reenacting his wil...

In this episode of Bartender Bangers, host Mark "The Shark" takes a trip to the Sayville Athletic Club in New York to sit down with his longtime friend and seasoned bartender, Bella. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Bella shares her journey from her early days busing on Fire Island at age 15 to her "retirement spot" at the "SAC". Episode Highlights: Behind the Bar Wisdom: Bella di...

In this week's episode of Bartender Bangers, Mark the Shark leaves New York behind to cross the river into Hoboken, New Jersey! We are taking over The River Street Garage, the very first Jersey bar featured on the podcast, to sit down with two of the best in the business: V and Kylie. In this episode, we dive into: The Hoboken Vibe: Why this bar is the ultimate "high energy" destination with live...

Faking It 'Til You Make It: Madison’s Wildest Bartender Stories! 🍹✨ "Every drink has a story, and every shift has a moment that sticks with you." This week on Bartender Bangers, we’re coming to you live from The Leaky Lifeboat in Seaford, NY! Mark "The Shark" sits down with Madison, a powerhouse in the Long Island bar scene who has seen everything from high-fashion runways to the high-volume cha...

In this episode of Bartender Bangaz, we’re out in Long Beach, New York, sitting down with a local legend: Gavin from Minnesota’s. If you’ve grabbed a drink in Long Beach over the last decade, there’s a good chance Gavin was the one pouring it. In this episode, we dive into: The 14-Year-Old Barback: How Gavin got his start with a blue cardboard working paper and a $90 tip-out on his first day. The...

What is it actually like to work at Gossip Gentleman's Club and Lounge on Long Island? Join Bartender Bangaz as we interview Jezabel, a veteran of the game who knows exactly what it takes to thrive in the nightlife industry. Jezabel breaks down what it’s really like working in one of LI's premier nightlife spots—from managing high-energy crowds to the art of the hustle and the importance of buildi...

Welcome back to Bartender Bangaz , the podcast where we shake it up, pour it out, and drink it back. This week, we are thrilled to welcome our first female guest, Meg Kent. As the reigning Miss Island of Fire and a 13-year veteran of the Long Island bar scene, Meg has seen it all. In "Sashes and Shot Glasses," Meg shares her evolution in the industry, starting from a "sink or swim" first night at...