If This Bar Could Talk

In this episode, Danielle Goldtooth, a Native American mixologist, Zooms in from New Mexico to share her mission to reconnect Americans to their food and honor the farmers, ranchers and agriculturists who provide it. Danielle, along with her husband Allen (who is a chef), and their business partner host pop-up dinners in the Phoenix area featuring as many foraged and locally-sourced ingredients as possible — and educate their guests about creating sustainable food and drinks. Danielle believes that hospitality can change the world… and we agree. You don't want to miss our conversation with this truly amazing person.

Genevieve Johnson and Lindsay Koontz stop by to chat about their new bar "I Like It Like That". Located inside of Natalie's in Grandview Heights, ILILT is a place for everyone. Learn the backstory and inside jokes behind their fun and quirky cocktail names and the intentionality of their beverage program. G and Lindsay are a creative force that will surely bring a new perspective to the Columbus craft cocktail scene.

Sang and Letha, two of the three founders of Service! stop in to talk about their first annual fundraising gala on Thursday May 16, 2024 at High Line Car House from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. This event is not just a fundraiser but also a way to show gratitude to the hard-working hospitality workers in our community. Buy a table, a single ticket or make a donation to support this amazing organization and the work they do in our community.

In this episode, we talk with Alex Chien and David Yee two of the owners of Cobra in the Brewery District of Columbus. We talk about where they've been, what they're doing now and what they have planned for the future.

Because of the scarcity of Chartreuse, Derek Reno with Echo Spirits has gone full mad scientist by creating his own version of Green Chartreuse. It's absolutely delicious… and it's damn close to the original.

In this episode, we learn about the history and uses of Chartreuse from Kyle Strategier, Beverage Director at Soul Bar at The Joseph Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

In this episode we chat with Erin Edwards, the Food and Drink Editor at Columbus Monthly (by day) and our reigning champion of the I'm Not "Really" a Bartender — amateur cocktail competition.She reflects on the event and shares some sage advice with our three competitors for the upcoming competition.

In this episode we chat with Megan Randolph, sales rep and bartender extraordinaire at Noble Cut Distillery. We chat about her creative process, inspiration, and the challenges of helping a young distillery grow.

In this episode, we take a short road trip to Buckeye Lake, Ohio to visit with Ben Long, owner of Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern. Ben and his staff are crafting classic cocktails while Chef Justin Gottschalk serves up traditional Southern fare. In addition to tasty food and cocktails, the tavern has live music, cocktail classes, craft ice and a wine shop. Definitely worth the trip!

In this episode, we chat with bartender Argy Mendoza about his passion for crafting cocktails, his own concept for a bar and what it's like bartending in Columbus, Ohio

While vacationing in St. Croix this Spring, we stumbled upon a quaint bar with an ocean view. Desperate to escape the heat, we were thrilled that they had a fan and AC at the bar. Grateful for the respite from the heat, we would have been very satisfied with anything cold but as it turns out, we hit the cocktail jackpot. Kellie Knopp and her husband Dave recently purchased Tap Deck Bar and have created a terrific craft cocktail menu showcasing the classics peppered with some originals.

Learn about Ancho Reyes from Mary Palac, Mexican Spirits Portfolio Ambassador for Campari America and Sarah Oppelt, bartender at Alibi in Columbus, Ohio.

Finally, a class we all enjoy! In this episode our friends Ayanna, Bill, Cara and Eric join us for a cocktail class at Echo Distillery in Grandview Heights, Ohio. Learn the basics of cocktail making with Echo's Bar Manager, Derek Reno.

In this episode, Ryan Schumann, Bar Manager at Worthington Tavern, invited us to his home to talk about his journey as a bartender — where he's been and what's to come. His very cozy home was full of plants, a dog named Archer (yes, named after the cartoon series) and 2 cats one of which made her presence known throughout most of the podcast.

In this episode we sit down with Billy Fury who is cutting her teeth and honing her skills at one the city best hidden gems — Soul at the Joseph. Although she has a degree in Environmental Science and is working toward a master's degree in Finance, she plans to stay in the craft cocktail industry.

In this episode we sit down with Theo Lentz, bar manager at MOUTON on High, one of the first craft cocktail bars in Columbus, and chat about creative process, inspiration, and the challenges of managing a bar in the Short North Arts District of Columbus Ohio

In this episode, we learn about the history of Amari from Olivia Cerio, Campari's Italian Spirits Portfolio Ambassador and how it's used in a cocktail with Garry White, Owner and Creative Director at Denmark on High.

In this episode we chat with Jake Parrott, Portfolio Manager, Spirits and Aromatized Wines, at Haus Alpenz, and then we enlist the help of Kyle Strategier, beverage manager of Soul at the Joseph, to learn all about one of our favorite floral liqueurs — Crème de Violette.

In this episode we explore Grand Marnier with Ambassador Xavier Herit, Todd Adam, bartender at Hyde Park Prime Steak House and home bartender, Bill Teets.

In this episode we chat with Jon Spacher, CEO and co-owner (and fifth generation)of family-owned Fee Brothers, and enlist the help of Chris Marek of Light of Seven Matchsticks, to learn how they use Fee Brothers' products.

In this episode we sit down with the crew at the Light of Seven Matchsticks, the original "speakeasy" in Columbus. The thoughtful and supportive owners and management foster an environment of creativity that shines through in their cocktails and events.

This week we spoke with Colette Mihocik and Jordan People, part of the team at Goodale Station.

The debut of our limited series on cocktail modifiers starts off with a classic — Campari! We speak with Daniel Warrilow, with Campari America, bartender, James DeFrance and Fr. Nic Ventura about Campari's history, uses in cocktails and an on-going love affair.

We caught up with Barry Chandler, host of Stories and Sips and the reigning champion of the "I'm Not 'Really' a Bartender" amateur cocktail competition. Sláinte! storiesandsips.com

Alibi by If This Bar Could Talk

In this episode, we chat via Zoom with Jordon Phillips, Bartender at Ghostwriter Public House in Johnstown, Ohio. Ghostwriter is a restaurant, bar, event space and Airbnb in a rural village in Ohio. Jordon, a self-described cocktail nerd, has traveled the country honing his bartending skills and returned to Ohio during the pandemic.

In this episode, we talk via Zoom with two of the three founders of Service!, a relief organization for hospitality workers, Sangeeta Lakhani and Letha Pugh (not present Matthew Heaggans). Despite having to deal with the shutdown of their own businesses (The Table, Bake Me Happy, and Prestons respectively) when the pandemic hit, they banded together to feed and support hospitality workers.

In this episode we chat with Andrew Connelly, Bar Director at Ampersand Asian Supper Club in the Short North. He shares the source of inspiration for some of his favorite cocktail ingredients as well as some bizarre stories from his time behind the stick.

Blair and Leigh Ann interview Brent Carter via Zoom. Brent is the co-founder of Make & Muddle and is a bartender in Chicago. We talk about the challenges of bartending and running a business during the pandemic. Visit their website at www.makeandmuddle.com

Master Mixologist PJ Ford from Light of Seven Matchsticks takes over to interview Leigh Ann and Blair, creators of this podcast and lots of other shit.

Genevieve Johnson with ROOH joins us in the studio to talk about the new world cocktails inspired by the six rasas; sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent.

We hated to see him go but we love watching his growth in the big city. From Columbus to Chicago, Nigal has worked hard to hone his bartending skills.

When Covid-19 shuttered bars, bartenders left the industry. In this episode, we talk to Greg Burnett about returning to construction and forming his company, Cozy Home Services. We also talk about his love of tiki and the return of 614Tiki.

Reilly Robson, bar manager at The Syndicate, stops by to chat about bar life in rural ohio.

World traveler, wine and spirits aficionado, bodega owner, farmer, master of the COVID-19 pivot, Barbara Reynolds, owner of The Bottle Shop does it all. Her cozy and welcoming bar/market has something for everyone. In this episode we catch up with her and chat about what they've done to pivot, and pivot again during COVID and what's next.

In this episode, we sit down with Tommy Householder, bar lead and now sales rep at Watershed Kitchen and Bar. We talk about his background, his love of the industry and the creative process at Watershed.

Blair and Leigh Ann review cocktails crafted by Jordan at Soul Bar inside The Joseph Hotel in Columbus Ohio

For our first episode of 2021 our guest Adam Thomas rings in the new year with music and Sage Advice.

We got carryout cocktails and they lived up to everything we love about the Bottleshop. Check out our review of their Demon Barber of High Street and Zombie!

Guest Host, P.J. Ford interviews Sarah Oppelt and she serves us her Boulevardier of Broken Dreams along with some priceless stories.

We visited Speck Italian Eatery in Delaware, Ohio to check out their amazing offerings. We were impressed with both the food and all four of the cocktails we tried.

Guest Host Lindsey Gerhard interviews Ben Griest. They go way back and reminisce about some of their favorite memories together behind the stick as well as some unforgettable clients.

Blair and Leigh Ann review cocktails crafted by Seth Laufmann at Chapman's East Market. "The Royal Color" and "Basically A Brooklyn"

Sean and Rudy talk about all things Columbus… the distilleries, the bar scene, cocktail competitions and Cabinet Cocktails.

Jesse and Jason discuss the evolution of the Great Southern Whiskey Bar and what they've been doing to keep themselves busy while their bar has been closed.

Guest host, Christina Basham talks shop with Nate Howe, Bar Manager at Rye River Social where you can experience craft cocktails and fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Check out Nate's Don Hobo tiki mugs at donhobo.com

Meriam Webster meets Drunk History in this new podcast hosted by Megan Mitolo. Grab a drink, get cozy and expand your vocabulary. https://soundcloud.com/user-boozy-blatherings?ref=clipboard

Lindsey Gerhard with Citizens Trust Bar and Angel's Envy is back for a redo. For the month of September, help Angel's Envy plant 40,000 American oak trees #toastthetrees

In this episode, we catch up with Hans Maggard whose new gig is developing a new app called Flavvr that guides users to restaurants and bars and makes recommendations of what to eat/drink and provides members with custom perks and promotions.

Echo Spirits distillers/founders Joe and Nikhil are in the house along with Bar Manager Derek Reno to talk about how they began and where they're going. And we got a sneak peek taste of their delicious Rye Whiskey

Leigh Ann and Blair discuss COVID closings and reopenings, carry out options, Pro Tip videos and more.