Bartender Bangaz

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...

This week on Bartender Bangaz , we’re pouring out the truth with Mitch, the owner and chef behind Spycoast Patchogue. Mitch brings a unique perspective to the show as someone who has seen the industry from every angle—starting as a bar back in Montauk to eventually owning and kitchen-managing his own high-energy restaurant. We get into the "chaos and clinking glasses" of the Long Island nightlife...

"Behind the laughter and the chaos... that’s where the real stories live." This week on Bartender Bangaz, we’re joined by Big Rich from the Brightwaters Inn . A true "Renaissance Man," Rich balances life as a teacher, firefighter, and coach with a legendary reputation in the service industry. Rich takes us back to the high-octane days of NYC's "East Coast Saloons," where he spent ten years perform...

Pull up a stool for Episode 4 of Bartender Bangaz ! This week, we’re on location at the iconic Napper Tandy's in Bay Shore to chat with the man, the myth, the legend: Little Baby Jesus (AKA LBJ) . LBJ takes us behind the bar to discuss the energy of the Bay Shore nightlife, the secrets to longevity in the service industry, and the stories that made him a local legend. If you've ever had a drink at...

Mark the Shark welcomes his old friend from Fire Island Charlie, a true veteran of the New York City bar scene, for a deep dive into 16 years of pouring drinks and collecting unbelievable stories. Charile reflects on faking his way into his first job at "The Irish Exit," growing up above his later workplace, The Folly, and why he'll always be a "dive bar guy." Listen in as he shares his most impor...

Get ready for some serious bar talk! On this episode of Bartender Bangaz, host Mark the Shark talks shop with Dan from Mary Carroll's—who was crowned the 2023 Greater Long Island Bartender of the Year! Dan has been a staple at Mary Carroll's in Babylon for nine years, starting as a bar back and working his way up to running the stick. We dive deep into the hilarious and horrifying realities of lif...

Welcome to the very first episode of Bartender Bangaz , where we pour out the truth, straight no chaser! Host Mark the Shark AKA Shmark is joined by legendary bartender and entrepreneur John Dell'Orto (Dell) for a deep dive into the wild world behind the stick. Dell, who went from accidentally bussing tables to co-owning a popular cocktail bar, shares his philosophy on handling the job's toughest...