Bartender Bangaz

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Mark the Shark hits up the original Changing Times in Farmingdale for one of our wildest episodes yet! Long Island veterans Claudia and Stephanie drop in to expose what really goes on behind the bar. From hilarious customer pet peeves and awkward pickup lines to restaurant romance rules and bizarre bar characters, nothing is off-limits. Hit that subscribe button and let us know your favorite moment in the comments below!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Want to know what really happens behind the bar after last call? This week on Bartender Bangaz, Mark the Shark is joined by Toronto mixologist, TV personality, and hospitality pro Michael Pez for an unfiltered look into the chaos, craft, and insanity of the industry. From surviving a battle with kidney cancer and becoming a shirtless bartender in a drag bar to dealing with wedding co-workers who ghost, creepy customer encounters, and why New York and Toronto party completely differently, this episode pours out the absolute truth straight, no chaser.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!In Episode 43 of Bartender Bangaz, Mark the Shark sits down at All and Sundry in NYC with beverage consultant, mixologist, and expert judge on E!’s hit show Cocktail Wars, Melissa Brooke! Melissa breaks down her unique journey—from starting out in Hollywood film production (working at Entertainment Tonight, Miramax, and DreamWorks) to stepping behind a dive bar for guest shifts, climbing to fine dining, and ultimately consulting on beverage programs nationwide. In this episode, we cover:Behind the Scenes of E!’s Cocktail Wars: What it's really like on set judging drinks alongside Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, and celebrity guest judges like Seth Green, Lauren Graham, and Bron Strowman. Dive Bars vs. Fine Dining: Transitioning between fast-paced dive bar energy and elevated mixology. The Golden Rules of Bartending: Advice for new bartenders, common mistakes, and how to command respect while managing a bar team. Behind the Bar Etiquette: Why bartenders hate the phrase "surprise me," how to handle "make it strong" orders, and reading the room before ordering a complex cocktail. Industry Trends: Pre-batching, draft cocktails, the rise of elevated free-spirited mocktails, and avoiding toxic garnishes. Follow Bartender Bangaz:Instagram: @BartenderBangazHost: Mark "Mark the Shark"Guest: Melissa Brooke.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Welcome back to another episode of Bartender Bangaz! This week, host Mark the Shark is on location at his home base—The Sandbar in Ocean Beach, Fire Island—sitting down with the man who built it all: his boss, Sandbar John! From buying the old "Alligator" bar on Tumbleweed Tuesday with zero industry experience to tearing down drop ceilings full of rodents, dealing with drill-sergeant chefs, and surviving "military-grade" bouncers—John opens up about 20 years of midlife crises, nightmarish kitchen mishaps, and the wild early days of transforming Sandbar into a Fire Island staple. Grab a Henny and a Heineken, sit back, and enjoy the unfiltered truth behind running a legendary beach town bar!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!Welcome back to Bartender Bangaz! Host Mark the Shark ("Shark") is live at the Island Mermaid on Fire Island, NY, for a special episode featuring our very first bouncer guest: Long Island legend, Tommy B! With 28 years of security experience under his belt—ranging from late-90s mega-clubs like Maxine’s and Siberia to high-profile events like Michael Rubin’s White Party—Tommy has seen it all. In this episode, we pour out the truth, straight, no chaser, about what it really takes to keep the peace when booze, ego, and late nights.