Music and Booze With Mo

Tommy Milburn fell in love with tiki when he was a kid on vacation in Hawaii, and became a bartender to support his other creative endeavors but always checked in with tropical bars wherever he was. A musical theater kid in Canada who played piano and grew up to run off to L.A. to be an actor, he eventually decided to embrace the dream of buying a spot in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, and open up his bar, Tiki Grove. Authentically decorated in classic tiki decor, he offers traditional tiki drinks as well as home grown aloe to soothe the sunburns of those wandering up from the beach. Now that's hospitality! Check out his tropical tunes playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3UkjLcu5wx9S4IssVvgw4S?si=Lu01VY73QpqqjyjPPgu1VA

Erica Luera brought her witchy tropical vibes to the world renowned Strong Water in Anaheim, CA and is currently serving as their bar lead. She used to visit the legendary tiki palace Bahooka in Rosemead as a kid, about the time she was learning how to play violin. She graduated to working in dive bars and playing the guitar, and during the pandemic, she deeply dug into the craft of tiki drinks which eventually earned her a spot at the James Beard nominated Strong Water. She also crafts a spooky sexy playlist, which you can check out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7BBNIp9p3de0CUKdY5TEla?si=f_po_im1TAK6Axu214h6ww

Valentino DeMartini was actually already behind the bar when he was a teen, barbacking and perfecting the martini for his family's bartending service. He started playing guitar around that time as well, inspired originally by emo but then embracing the country music of his youth. These days you can find him shaking things up at LA hotspot Donna's in the Echo Park neighborhood, while his twangy band Caravan 222 (originally formed in Chile) plays around town to an enthusiastic audience. He mixes up some music (including his band and solo stuff) here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6uPWXhO7xFTaC2D0sg1X0Q?si=I5KOrFT7TRONgSkQQA8TGg

Dylan O'Brien, owner of Oakland's Prizefighter, is a born and raised East Bay kid who always appreciated the farm to table approach of the Bay, and made that a part of his bars (he also owned SF's Bloodhound). Back in the day, he sang in vocal groups and still plays guitar, but shockingly has never done karaoke despite his singing skills! He started off working in wine, but a friend showed him that he would be much happier working with spirits (especially that "weird tequila") and he now not only oversees his bar, but also a diverse bottle shop next door. And this playlist proves he knows how to warm a crowd up for the night: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4t21rwXkkGi9VbiMZIjBIr?si=zdT9FM10S32JKH8lNhFxiQ

Aaron Post, owner of Valkyrie, St. Vitus, & Maestro (in the summer of 2025) in Tulsa, OK, started off in wine and fine dining but his joy of cocktails led him in another direction. His deep appreciation for hospitality and crafting drinks made him want to create wonderful and safe environment for others - be it a speakeasy or a dance club - and he's followed that passion in the city where he says you can do just about anything. Evidently, that included learning accordion as a kid and graduating into classical and electronic music as an adult, never losing a passion for any kind of music that makes people smile. Check out his emotional rollercoaster of a playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/72ysngg3wdc3zpDI0rfefv?si=D8k5qJzcRGGK5fD-xNRuvA

James Lawrence can be found mixing delicious cocktails at the tiny Kansas City, MO speakeasy, Swordfish Tom's. Music is important to a place named in honor of Tom Waits, but so is community, which is something James understands deeply. Whether it's the community of an intimate cocktail space, or the musical communities in the jam band and jamtronica scenes, James enjoys cultivating enjoyable environments for others to share an experience in. He loves this so much he left his role in the wine world to be able to have bartending as a permanent side hustle along with a flexible daytime gig! He also made a groovy playlist for us: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0AAWk8xmFfnskwSGPIZhgb?si=RYv9Zuo1SbSN5ahIAMXotA

Caroline Pardilla started blogging in the aughts when Los Angeles was really just getting going with a craft cocktail scene, and that soon lead to a career in spirits writing.  She is now celebrating the publication of her first book, Margarita Time, which allowed her to gather recipes and stories from the likes of agave aficionado Max Reis and global humanitarian chef Jose Andres, while keeping the recipes accessible to any home bartender. She also loves to make playlists for any occasion, and created a cha cha-licious midcentury vibe with this one: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/420P8SA2H3tEXWzLxPec4r?si=MQHu1V9_Rl-mYXJO_9gimg

Sammi Katz, who bartends over at The Rockwell Place in Brooklyn, doubles as an author who just published her second book. This one, Spirited Women: Makers, Shakers, and Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails, goes all over the globe to talk to amazing women in the spirits industry and includes a recipe for each profile. We talk about Sammi's journey from actor to bartender to author and how she got more ladies behind the bar and on the playlists. Check out her Ladies mix here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Q45iJGdxVOGIfJjsij9J4?si=-1VAxi0KTdSAWVRkMbolLg

Hannah Withers is a caretaker of legendary Fayetteville, Arkansas spot, Maxine's Tap Room, which opened in 1950 and has a pretty incredible legacy. She (along with her husband, Ben Gitchel) has brought Maxine's into the modern cocktail age while maintaining its past and keeping it relevant into the future by creating legacy funds with the local university, supporting live music, and creating a new generation of craft bartenders.Hannah herself came from a family of musicians and it wasn't unusual for them to have bands crashing at their home when passing through town. Check out her Hannifesto playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3CFDNzeUUaggrXLJkHffj2?si=Jvxe9q7wQp6dQbI4ohngOw

Ted Kilgore fell for spirits hard - and he grew up in a lifestyle that absolutely forbade that type of thing. A mostly self taught bartender who started in a sketchy hotel, he read bartender books and followed the leads of cocktail legends to work his way up to eventual ownership. Now as co-owner of Planters House and Small Change in St. Louis, Missouri, Kilgore is able to marry his two big obsessions - spirits and Tom Waits - to create craft cocktail menus as well as the playlists to go along with them. Check out his Goin' Out West playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JgoYggfz26dXcUsdGLQmS?si=6UbaKFPbRT2w9VvVCqxBvA

Daddy Long Legs has bounced around Chicago, Alaska, and is currently in Salt lake City, Utah creating delicious cocktails and pastries: a love affair of two great tastes which taste great together! With culinary school behind him, this 2024 Imbibe Person to Watch has bounced between the kitchen and the bar and enjoys combining the two with a boozy dessert or a savory cocktail, just to keep things interesting. He's also been known to flow some great rhymes, having grown up with a Chicago house DJ dad and the ability to write lyrics for himself to share when the mood strikes him. Check out his Journey to the Iconics playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7p281ZZ39BmmbF8FOMUU8A?si=sl1PFUDqQU-x_il2y2bGNg

During the pandemic, Julio "Jules" Gutierrez got inspired to make his own cocktails, like many of us did. His twist? He decided to create cocktails with the intention of teaching others about indigenous spirits, cultures, and music. The resulting pop up, Chuntikis, has taken him all over the United States as well as Mexico as he left behind a stint as a radio DJ in favor of touring with his drinks. This 2023 Imbibe "Person to Watch" educates his audience with thoughtful cocktails created through a tropical lense, which has taken him to interesting places, including a Savage Fenty photo shoot (he was the model). Check out the music that inspired both his cocktails and the pop up here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02FCgB94cQsmzWOxxHpUaM?si=Gb_eeioOTfChej8HXImvEA

Abby Ehmann, owner and bartender at NYC's Lucky in the East Village, has wanted to own a bar since she was in college because she just loved spending time and fixing drinks in those spaces. Now she owns her "dive bar for grownups," which also features a jukebox curated to reflect the neighborhood over the years, featuring bands from the area, playlists representing bars and parties of years past, and more meaningful music to her patrons and visitors alike. We talk beer that tastes like beer and the glory of a good sing a long on this episode. Check out Abby's neighborhood playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KN9eEDN97uaDMiAZ5LXRK?si=2Q71wTQkRb-C_RK-J8N__w

Serena Kim got bit by the hip hop bug early, and dove into the culture completely. So how did she wind up the co-owner of the Swift House Inn and the popular bar in it? After a stint at Jive Records (among several hip hop labels) and serving as the features editor at Vibe magazine, Serena took her turntables and pens to Middlebury, Vermont to take over the Swift House Inn and start Fancy Fridays at their bar, which has an acclaimed wine list and has become a cocktail stop in the state. She's educating her clientele about dance music, and created this amazing Dance Map playlist for us too: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1c7xS37d1aqjXK0wjLqP98?si=Y3aZ50BRT06LmMW6firG6A

Cristina Allen is the cofounder of Volans Tequila and it's no lie to say that she rocks! Born and raised in Mexico, she brought her love of tequila to the US when she arrived to study sound engineering. She spent 5 years in LA working the boards at such legendary venues as the Roxy and the Troubador, and moved with her husband Chad to Boise where she took the reigns at the Knitting Factory. The pandemic caused her to shift gears and soon she & Chad were devoted to their other love - tequila! They now produce additive free and small batch tequilas, and yes, she still loves heavy metal and classic rock. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4FfZ1mddfF8OvtiWby3jXa?si=0tLY2eSSSmmVorkI7mSTzw

Ryan Abrams takes us on a little tour of the bar scene in Birmingham, Alabama, where he is a part owner as well as beverage director of the classy cocktail spot, Paper Doll. He found himself becoming charmed by hospitality and the concert scene in his hometown, and those loves led him to becoming more involved in his community. If you come to his bar on the right night, you might find yourself helping to create the playlist. Check out the playlist he shared with us here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nEAJdsMHp65UEoUwwCz2K?si=RByilcMBR5STSZZysW-2mw

Dave Wondrich is an acclaimed spirits writer and historian - Imbibe is a cocktail classic about mixology in the US - but his journalism career actually kicked off with music. As a bassist, he played in NYC's rock clubs and cabarets at the height of the city's edgiest musical era (late 70s early 80s) before heading to LA to try and get signed with his band, A Blind Dog Stares. That didn't happen, but he did educate his bandmates about scotch along the way. Listen to his tour stories, his path to becoming a leading authority on the bar scene then and now, and some of his music! Also check out his native New Yorker playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2o5uU83DMYzNzGbUWAPGuk?si=XAJzpIP6SoyR8WPpuXepuw

Allegory Bar in Washington D.C. has received accolades from many of the world's most prestigious organizations, and beverage and creative director Deke Dunne is just part of the reason why. We chat about this bar based on a mural featuring civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, the vibrant D.C. bar scene, and the push to make hotel bars respectable again.  Deke also gives some tips on how to sing in that Cookie Monster voice without destroying your throat, as he was a vocalist for a bunch of bands over the years (playing bass on an instrument he permanently borrowed didn't quite work out). Check out Deke's playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tn3SzVn10MHzWAhA7CstN?si=4NjnShpPQ5W0FN3_KBPDGw

Michael Aredes, currently at NYC's award winning spot Superbueno, has long worked and championed both bar and audio culture. He has presented a seminar on the link between the two and formerly crafted cocktails at James Murphy's (LCD Soundsystem) bar Nightmoves. This former Punch Bartender in Residence came from a very musical family: Michael played many instruments and sang. Now he channels that passion into amazing playlists for his queer Latino pop up, Noche Traviesa, which travels around the country. Check out one of those playlists here:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nVBo0ZgROpByAp0UTYWNZ?si=8f52f3940ff04c4a

Derrick Jones drums in a couple of bands when he's not crafting wild garnishes for the immersive tropical Seattle spot Inside Passage, which lives tucked away inside legendary bar Rumba. Following in his father's footsteps, the Hawaiian native was banging on pots and pans before learning to play drums in all sorts of genres, and currently can be seen on various Seattle club and festival stages. When he isn't there, he's setting up shop not only at Inside Passage, but Rumba and Life on Mars too. He talks about the intense link between music and booze in Seattle on this episode, and picks some tunes for you to listen to as well: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4a8OoHgwX2LlCdFCHTvQ60?si=f2fde51527ec408a

Austin Forshee was a booze slinger in Kalamazoo and then found himself in Grand Rapids, Michigan as part of the opening crew of the celebrated tiki palace, Max's South Seas Hideaway. He went from muddled old fashioneds to training with the legendary Martin Cate, and now balances out all of that exotica with metal (which actually isn't all that uncommon). From banging on the drums to learning all the r(h)ums, Austin tells us how he learned to tiki and also get his Tommy Lee on. Check out his playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3NuKV8Vo8Y7wFP1KVjmj45?si=cc288188edb94e8b

Kat Bailey, one of the general managers of the Tonga Hut (LA's oldest tiki bar), started mixing tropical drinks there in 2018 after years of slinging martinis alongside wanna be actors and crafting menus for karaoke bars. A lifelong Angeleno, Kat was going to the Tonga Hut years before she actually worked there, and was a huge fan of LA's 90s alt rock scene too, as her devotion to locals the Red Hot Chili Peppers demonstrates. Check out her Tonga mix here, because it truly had a bit of everything: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3yq2g5ZhdBgoWH8GsrMUbb?si=33be0f940e04448b

Nick Elam was deep into the world of tiki long before he was even old enough to drink - carving, painting, and even designing bar menus waiting for the day he could get behind the stick himself. He also learned to play several instruments, even becoming a pretty good surf guitarist on the way. Now he can be found at Huli Huli Tiki Lounge in Powell, Ohio, brainstorming new drink ideas with his bar team and educating his patrons on the wide category of rum. He made us a pretty surftastic (and more!) playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1uYMjOZqJ2a8TkPD4BudYc?si=5ff51443db254fcf

Maria Cabrero actually started bartending as a little girl... for her family! Now she is a co-owner of Cocomama Tiki Room in Cozumel, Mexico, one of several spots she currently or previously owned, including a beach front music venue. Coming from a house full of hosts and entertainers, you could say that bartending is in her blood, as was managing bands. She trained in Italy and brought that style of service back to Mexico, while immersing herself in classic tiki cocktail books so she could offer tropical drinks in her tropical paradise. Check out her Top 10(ish) playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41S9I1sNeQvPt08cDRW1Lm?si=6726814066ae4898

Michael Stelzner made the pandemic move to Cincinnati and started working at Tiki Tiki Bang Bang. Now he owns the place! A Bay Area kid born with a love of tiki culture and music, he worshipped the Beatles just as much as My Chemical Romance and his parents took him to legendary SF tiki bars as soon as he was legal. He did a stint at Omaha's Laka Lono Rum Club as well as a spot in Lincoln considered for a James Beard award, which made him put aside playing in pop punk bands for a bit. He discusses bringing tiki back to Cincinnati,  DJing emo nights, LGBTiki, and more on this episode. Check out his playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4X9NuxAxDZ20ENEHJEBNsB?si=47a19a37578749a5

Nikki Schultz of Los Angeles' Thunderbolt has found synergy in making music, crafting cocktails,  and activism, which all have taught her lessons in how to give herself and others emotional space. (A revelatory stint in the funeral arrangement industry brought similar wisdom.) From her start in Minneapolis dive bars and music venues to a period creating drinks in a changing Seattle, she found herself arriving in LA to not only see what it could offer her, but what she could offer it. Turns out becoming part of an award winning bar team was just the beginning. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3gokXIdRcj6SKdfQqhLfeR?si=5cb8772588634c3e

LyAnna Sanabria is the beverage director and co-founder of the first Puerto Rican bar & restaurant in Maine: Portland's Papi. We chat about the challenge of educating people about her culture and the ingredients that come with it, playing Nick Drake in a dive bar, and how her love of Chris Cornell touches a lot of what she does. Check out the music you'd here if you went for a ride with her on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6nnEVeQMowEGDFQszeCZn3?si=a2b0f2c0356a4d01

Thomas Moore IV started out chasing $1 tips at the Superdome, and now leads the drink program at the Elysian Bar in New Orleans. Part of the Turning Tables program (which gives opportunities to black and brown bartenders), he graduated from churning out beers to becoming a mentor as well as a competitive (and winning!) bartender. He also makes his own personal soundtracks which inspire his cocktail creations - the latter of which have won notice from Tales of the Cocktail for the Elysian Bar. Check out his Bartender's Menu Mix here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/498TMPLVScvHxebPR4qUBR?si=3675a845158f4784

Claire Swenson was a regular at iconic Minneapolis dive bar and music venue Palmers and eventually wound up on the other side, serving drinks to patrons who considered her "the new guy" for several years. Claire does online radio shows (sometimes from Palmers), plays the rubber chicken in a band, and dishes on proper dive bar etiquette (on both sides of the bar) while also teaching us about the weirder side of music. Check out her special l'il music mix for us here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/56mFLfMnJVKOBWehbEPPc7?si=9b4674a87f7d49cd

Millita Gonzalez grew up in a family of music bookers & club owners, so of course she started bartending at her dad's Latin dance club as soon as she could! (Her tales of conquering high volume crowds with only a blender are amazing.) She worked her way through Nashville and NOLA, catching the fine dining bug along the way and happily mastered craft cocktails. She currently leads the program at Asheville's Little Jumbo Bar,  making playlists on the side... like this one that will keep you dancing: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2UWhpreySy1l9EAj1z73CX?si=8fd3ca9581b54cce

Adri Ramos is the bar manager at LA's Employee's Only and the founder of FLAG LA, a female led apprenticeship group to empower other women in the LA bar industry. She's a fan of moody vibes and great cocktails, and wanted to bartend so badly when she was young that she took classes before she was 21 just so she could get some practice! Her natural skills landed her in some of LA's most creative spaces and her love of music may have influenced some of her cocktail creations too. Check out her 13 hour (!) playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0UNGw8Pco1bW2mbzQoKZm0?si=1228206dd17f4b3f

Sebastian de la Cruz of Bangkok's Tropic City loves to create a vibe with both his cocktails and his playlists, as being a DJ has been as much a part of his life as bartending has. From his humble beginnings as a barback in Stockholm (his mom got him the job!) to being inspired by the NYC craft scene and then finding himself an expat in Thailand opening a bar in a burgeoning creative district of Bangkok, Sebastian has experienced a lot within the hospitality scene, becoming quite a musical mood maker along the way. Check out this sexy grooves playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CWpCW9tvC7sAXcXK10dEu?si=3bd6fdb132b54a1e

Ash Murray, head bartender and main playlist maker at Meteor in Minneapolis, talks their journey through the world of coffee into the world of spirits by jumping from one top tier destination to another, finally landing in a music lover's bar owned by musicians. Not one to shy away from a challenge, they applied those mood making skills to curating tunes for the bar and helped create a cozy community along the way. Check out their playlist (don't shuffle it!) here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xU8S5sRUSjLMttA4Uxd8T?si=b28d574e874e42bf

We're catching up with a previous guest, Nick Sinutko! He is currently a self proclaimed "mocktologist" (said very tongue in cheek) as he is leading the charge of n/a cocktails at Leucadia's Atelier Manna, and will soon also be creating drinks for skater Tony Hawk's latest enterprise, Chick and Hawk. Formerly the beverage director of San Diego's legendary Campfire, Nick is now crafting in a farm to glass style while still playing keyboards and finishing up a new album with his band Drug Hunt. (pic by Laura Arango)  His Vol. 2 playlist is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Q0M1hrNFeqjNyEeeBvS0J?si=59f021601e5d4be0

Han Suk Cho composes music and alcohol free cocktails, passionately pursuing perfection with both. Her n/a contributions to the beverage menu at Kato in Los Angeles helped earned the spot a Michelin star, and she also has her own line of alternative sodas, Zero Proof. Han studied music composition at university in her home country of Korea since she already played several instruments, starting at the age of 3. Everything she does is about creativity and emotional expression, from her chamber pieces to her drink pairings. Check out her past life playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZGxqLUXYDKIjntn8f8VDm?si=da550d6d9ece4f02

Siobahn Jones is a queen at creating vibes musically and a speed demon behind the bar conquering a massive cocktail menu at Standby in Detroit, Michigan. While she hasn't started her DJ training (yet), she's been going to concerts since she was 4 and is the one to go to for any kind of playlist. In the drinks world, she uses those same creative skills to craft crowd pleasing cocktails. Check out her Top 10 ( we took it to 11) here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4eOESDt9EAdqhF9rwJ9iS4?si=2863f9d0cf4c44c0

Cara Devine gives us the strong, sweet, & bitter (that's the name of her book!) story about her behind the bar (that's the name of her You Tube channel!) experience around the globe and at her home bar Bomba in Melbourne, Australia. There's also a lot of reminiscing about our club days and all the music that involved. Listen for lots of laughs on this one!

Heath Gorenflo was a straightedge punk drummer forever, touring the US and playing the club circuit. When that lifestyle got old, they figured they'd sling rum & cokes to get by. Now they're at Baltimore's Dutch Courage, love bartending (and drinking in moderation), & are drumming again with a couple bands. Check out their story of musical and cocktail evolution, and this massive playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5RVNHMznmCiDetL7gNyxK6?si=644e52f2f7ae42c0

Geoffrey Wilson bartends at Cane & Table in New Orleans to maintain his DJ & mentoring lifestyle. He's been bartending notably in Chicago, Phoenix, and Portland but it's his work with Turning Tables NOLA that he's most proud of - an organization teaching black & brown hospitality professionals the tools for success. When he's not doing that, he's providing the soundtrack to events around town and is still an avid vinyl collector. Check this playlist of some of his favorite 45's at the moment: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DxdouK4txBsIjzQ9Nf0XA?si=674ef266f022425b

Jerrold Khoo started bartending to pay for design school and support his hard rock band, but eventually he took those talents and became the cofounder of one of Asia's best bars with Stay Gold Flamingo in Singapore. Although his hair metal days are behind him, he applies the rock and roll aesthetic to the bar and might even be creating a supergroup with the other musicians in Singapore's bar industry.  Check out his powerballad collection here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Pz4Ke2NlajRQzZafwOYFP?si=171b531d3ce74fcd

Andrew Whibley, bartender and co-owner at The Cloakroom in Montreal, wouldn't call himself a DJ but he definitely spun hip hop records at parties and today oversees the musical mood at his bar (often lauded and listed as one of the world's best). His amari, bourbon, and beats obsessions have led to him making a Gin & Juice for Snoop Dogg, the creation of a soon-to-debut Cloakroom Amaro, & an upcoming new bar! After you listen to the podcast, go into the Cloakroom with Andrew on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3UpkwMF1P550NgYyRNzFP5?si=55ef723faab3412b

Garret Richard, co-author of the book Tropical Standard and Chief Cocktail Officer at Brooklyn's Sunken Harbor Club, has taken technique to a whole new level. On this episode (his second appearance on M&Bw/Mo!) he breaks down how the once lowly blender achieved superstar status, the cultural relevancy of vaporwave, the importance (and fun) of bar theatrics, and what xanthan gum can do for you. Check out his musical standards here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WQ4EMkkEXzAvzwv5guphb?si=a470f3f76254479e

Cheyenne Serene, bar manager of acclaimed New Orleans tiki bar Latitude 29, was once a bike messenger in Chicago but traded that for swampy NOLA dives. Their love of emo once drove them to pick up a guitar, but they were better at ukulele and tropical cocktails. We chat about meeting your heroes, managing your vices, and getting deep into lofi beats on this episode! (pic by Jon Peterson) Check out Cheyenne's playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3WVyEx1kw5xFpyUo4RwLIJ?si=7b785d2e585b475d

Brandon and Kimberly Grilc moved to Kobe, Japan and soon realized they really missed tiki bars... so they opened their own! Brandon tells us about their labor of love, The Kazan Room, one of four tiki bars in the country. He discusses the challenge of erratic deliveries, curating the perfect musical mood, the inclusion of fun local ingredients, and educating the clientele in everything from rum to exotica. Check out the Sounds of the Kazan Room here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6VqGKtGImo0mkjmwbpCQzX?si=1d955961347b43bd

Alexis Romero got his bartending start in his hometown of Tijuana, but eventually crossed the border to show San Diego what he could do. In TJ, he and his friends booked death metal shows. Now in SD, he creates electro beats. Find him making tropical magic at Mothership and on the bartender competition circuit! His cocktail inspiration playlist can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3lNMI44213D9vSQ1VdizBm?si=cff699af23814063

Cory Starr got his tiki on bartending in Hawaii, took his skills to Chicago's Three Dots & A Dash, & then moseyed his way to Austin to become the beverage director of the incredible Tiki Tatsu-Ya. He tries plays metal when his daughter isn't demanding Bad Bunny. Check out his zombified playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4n1VsKmrlh81Gi6yWmzq7y?si=3f53a227d1d54a0b

Jen Ann Tonic took her retro lifestyle and love of tiki cocktails and partnered up with her husband to bring Swizzle and Dallas Tiki Week to life in Dallas, Texas. Growing up in the Bay Area with a family that danced hula during the swing revival definitely influenced her taste in tropical beverages, and she decided that the south could use a bit of aloha. Check out her swingin' playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4j9EjbJujO3DVR6qXnDiy5?si=e335c8bacb424636

After an attempt to crack the into music industry in LA, Meghan Riggs went back home to Boise, Idaho to a much more entertaining & educational gig as a shot girl at a dive bar. Now she's crafting beautiful cocktails at The Modern Bar & Hotel, putting Boise on the cocktail map while contributing to a hip community and reminiscing over her emo days. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2pCSSqfmA394QK1jV21NsV?si=8b05a99927c74725

Steen Bojsen-Moller started bartending in Auckland before sailing through the Caribbean, landing in London, going back to the islands, opening a bar back home in New Zealand, crossing over to SF and the Future Bars group while DJing and booking entertainment in art galleries, heading down to LA to join ACME Hospitality, and now finding himself co-proprietor of two iconic Palm Springs spots: Seymour's at Mr. Lyons and Toucan's. There were so many stories along the way! And the Seymour's playlist is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14TsOI7Gth1FeVCVcDAwI1?si=17ab6b20b29644cb

Chris Hannah stepped behind the bar at Arnaud's French 75 in New Orleans and became a bartending legend. He came to NOLA not only to work in these beautiful old places, but to live in a town where you could be anything you wanted to be, which for him meant a snazzy dresser, a blues connoisseur, and owner of spots Manolito and the award winning Jewel of the South. Join us as we travel the Mississippi for tales of juke joints, Robert Johnson's many graves, and the rebirth of classic cocktails in the South. Listen to Hannah's Blues here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iDMl6WNhPueVKYJRIjBQo?si=3a778961ac9a41a2

Remmington Pearce tends bar at Los Angeles music venue the Moroccan Lounge and is the guitar tech for L7, among other things. She's been a touring musician for over 10 years and fills in the blanks sneaking in craft cocktails when people ask for them. She also swears by the healing properties of Malort. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6PkJ7f9BwyD9L3mQT64500?si=4e9b937507ce4a9f