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, the mentality of success, and so much more! Follow his journey from serving cocktails to changing lives! https://shaunplummer.com/Support the Show.

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're a bartender or a mixologist, you are going to want to listen to this episode!  Be sure to follow the Bar Stars Happy Hour Podcast anywhere podcasts are available. Click HERE to listen to all the Happy Hours!   Support the Show.

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. You'll know whether or not you're in a healthy work environment after listening to this episode! Click here to listen to all the Happy Hours! Remember to follow Bar Stars Happy Hour podcast anywhere podcasts are available.  Support the Show.

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 incredible cocktail book by Andre and Tenaya Darlington. He randomly picks a page to an album, sets the scene, and shares the two cocktails associated with that album. Get your taste buds ready! You don’t want to miss this happy hour! Available anywhere podcasts are found. Support the Show.

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 answers to very important questions you most certainly will be asked. If you want to land that dream job, you need to crush the interview. And this episode will help you do just that! Do not miss this episode! Listen to all the Happy Hours HERE  Support the Show.

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. You don't want to miss this Happy Hour! Available on most podcast platforms. To listen directly from our website, CLICK HERE  Support the Show.

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 and pride in what you do will ultimately lead to a successful rollout of your new cocktail menu. Tom also gives his honest opinion of the recent Netflix show, Drink Masters. Spoiler Alert! You definitely don't want to miss the first show of the new year! Available anywhere podcasts are found, or directly from our website CLICK HERESupport the Show.

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 between a dry shake and wet shake, and why you would use egg whites, or Aquafaba, in some cocktails. What is aquafaba? Listen and find out! Don’t have too many shots at happy hour today, because you’re going to want to remember these, and take them to work with you to try for yourself. https://www.barstarspodcast.comSupport the Show.

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, the most prestigious testing series run by the International Bartenders Association. He also helped pioneer the resurgence of the United States Bartenders Guild and is the founding President of USBG Master Accreditation program. He has also started a YouTube channel to spread his knowledge, and passions, called Master Your Glass. Can you guess who he chooses to "Fill The Seats"? You will be as surprised as we were! You do not want to miss this episode!Support the Show.

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, and whether or not there is temptation to go to the newest bars and casinos. All of that, and so much more, in this one of a kind interview! Do not miss it!  Support the Show.

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 prove it! We also dive in to the dark side of the bar industry, and nightlife, that many fall into and how it drove him to realize his true passion in woodworking, and open his own company, Southern River Tables. We discuss the differences of a jugglers grip and bartenders grip, his world travels, and he tells a border crossing story from a previous guest of the show you have got to hear! All that and so much more in this most interesting and fun episode.Support the Show.

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 show inspired her to make this amazing company. From a year shelf life, to product development, and sustainability, it's all here in this great episode with this amazingly thoughtful woman who's changing the cocktail game one garnish at a time. Do not miss this episode. Support the Show.

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 out of this world answers yet! All that, and much more, in what's sure to be on of our most listened to interviews to date! Do not miss the conclusion of this amazing interview with a World Champion. Support the Show.

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 spills a secret he heard about its future. He gives us his secrets to competing, how to create a routine, and how to be true to yourself when performing. We also discuss how YouTube has affected the world of flair, for better or worse, figure out what the "flow state" is, and talk about the lost art of tending the bar. All this, and so much more, in this first episode with the amazing Tom Dyer.    Support the Show.

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 are learned, and how to persevere, when you're faced with situations in a Bar or Restaurant you may not be ready for. And, are yelp reviews really that important? All that and much more in our latest "on location" happy hour!Catch up on all the previous episodes HERESupport the Show.

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 whether or not there is a certain hierarchy of the service industry. If you're a server, or a cocktail waitress, this episode is specifically for you!Check out all the Happy Hours HERESupport the Show.

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, and Tiki Cocktails? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a brand ambassador and travel the world? Why do some companies spell whiskey without the e? And, a good friend of the show gets a huge shout out in "Fill The Seats". We find out how she went from Chicago to L.A., with a stop at Disney along the way. All that and much more in this brand new Bar Stars Happy Hour! Support the Show.

Communication is one of the most important things in business, especially the hospitality and service industries. However, many people don't pay too much attention to it, and figure it just comes natural. We believe communication is a skill. Talking to strangers is not always easy, and everyone is different. In this episode, we discuss the art of communication, and give our Top 5 tips on how to communicate better with your guests to create the best possible experience for them. Whether you're a seasoned bartender, or its your first day on the job, this episode will give you some tips and tricks to be more confident behind the bar, or serving your tables. We're giving out pearls of wisdom in this happy hour!You can listen to all our past happy hours on our website by clicking here  Support the Show.

In part two with Brad Kaplan, we discuss the name of his new podcast, 3 stars, and why he specifically chose the number 3. You might be surprised by the answer. We also talk about customer service as a whole, the overall power of yelp reviews, and the importance of handling bad service. We get deep on comic book characters, their origin, and what they really have meant to people throughout the course of time. And brad breaks one of our fill the seats rules for the best possible guest! You need to hear this story to believe it! All that and more in this happy hour!Make sure to visit www.barstarspodcast.com to hear all the archived happy hours, read the show notes, and check out all the episode artwork and social media promos. Support the Show.