Join us for a conversation with Chuck Cerankosky, the restaurateur and visionary founder behind New York State's only annual weeklong spirits festival, the Rochester Cocktail Revival. Chuck takes us inside the festival's remarkable 13-year journey, from its 2014 launch with 2,000 attendees to a powerhouse event drawing more than 21,000 guests and featuring over 75 events across the city. He shares the story behind his acclaimed restaurant group—including Good Luck, Cure, Radio Social, and Jack Rabbit Club—and how those hospitality roots shaped the festival's community-first ethos. The conversation also highlights the impressive roster of industry luminaries who have graced RCR, from Dale DeGroff to David Wondrich to filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Beyond the drinks and parties, Chuck discusses the festival's deep commitment to giving back, having raised more than $310,000 for Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester. Tune in for an inspiring look at how one passionate entrepreneur built a cultural institution that celebrates craft cocktails, drives economic impact, and puts Rochester on the national spirits map.

Learn More: https://rochestercocktailrevival.com

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Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge

Join us for a conversation with Chuck Cerankosky, the restaurateur and visionary founder behind New York State's only annual weeklong spirits festival, the Rochester Cocktail Revival. Chuck takes us inside the festival's remarkable 13-year journey, from its 2014 launch with 2,000 attendees to a powerhouse event drawing more than 21,000 guests and featuring over 75 events across the city. He shares the story behind his acclaimed restaurant group—including Good Luck, Cure, Radio Social, and Jack Rabbit Club—and how those hospitality roots shaped the festival's community-first ethos. The conversation also highlights the impressive roster of industry luminaries who have graced RCR, from Dale DeGroff to David Wondrich to filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. Beyond the drinks and parties, Chuck discusses the festival's deep commitment to giving back, having raised more than $310,000 for Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester. Tune in for an inspiring look at how one passionate entrepreneur built a cultural institution that celebrates craft cocktails, drives economic impact, and puts Rochester on the national spirits map.

Learn More: https://rochestercocktailrevival.com

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Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: Get early access to episodes, exclusive bonus episodes, special content and more: https://www.patreon.com/BartenderAtLarge WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge

Join us for a deep dive into the frothy, fragrant world of one of cocktail culture's most legendary creations as author John Shelton Reed joins the show to discuss his book, The Ramos Gin Fizz. John traces the fascinating history of this iconic New Orleans libation, from its invention at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon in 1888 to its reign as a Crescent City institution requiring the synchronized effort of "a dozen bar hands" shaking in rotation. He unpacks the lore behind its eccentric creator Henry C. Ramos, the exacting technique that demands a full twelve minutes of shaking, and how the drink became a political touchstone during the Huey Long era. The conversation explores why this notoriously labor-intensive cocktail has captured the imagination of bartenders and drinkers for well over a century. John also reflects on the role of specialty drinks in defining a city's identity and how the Ramos Gin Fizz endures as a symbol of New Orleans' unique spirit.

John's books: https://johnshelton.weebly.com/books.html

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge

Join us for a conversation with Zane Lamprey, TV host, spirits expert and author once dubbed by The Washington Post as having "the greatest job in America." Zane takes us behind the scenes of his career journey, from traveling the world drinking with locals on his hit shows like, "Three Sheets," and "Chug", to performing stand-up in over 100 cities a year at breweries across the country. He also opens up about his surprising creative pivot toward animal-themed content, his viral YouTube videos, and even his recent legal battle over his cat Scooter's surgery—which he plans to turn into comedy gold. Beyond the laughs, we discuss his charity nonprofit, his apparel brand, and the art of reinvention in an ever-changing entertainment landscape. Check out his website: https://zanelamprey.com/ Watch his Amazon Prime comedy special, Ski Patrol: https://www.amazon.com/Zane-Lamprey-Patrol-Greg-Fitzsimmons/dp/B0D61MRV3C Watch his Amazon Prime comedy special, Medium Club: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GHPJGZTJ/ref=atv_sr_fle_c_sra5ba81_2_1_2?sr=1-2&pageTypeIdSource=ASIN&pageTypeId=B0GHQ64HJR&qid=1778681613057 Buy his book: https://zanelamprey.com/glass-half-full/

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WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

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Join us this week as we chat with Irene Yoo, author of the celebrated cookbook Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean, which was recently named one of Wired's Best Cookbooks of 2025. In the episode, Yoo welcomes us into the traditions of Korean hospitality, from the ritual of never pouring your own drink to the three distinct stages of a proper Korean drinking session. As co-owner of Brooklyn's acclaimed Orion Bar, Irene also gives us a glimpse into the evolving world of Korean bar culture and how it translates to an American audience. The conversation explores how Korean drinking customs differ from Western habits, emphasizing community, respect, and the joy of shared experience. Tune in for a spirited and delicious journey into the heart of Korean drinking culture, both behind the bar and around the table.

Buy her book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/760944/soju-party-by-irene-yoo/

Orion Bar Menu: https://www.orion-bar.com/menu _____________________________________

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

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Join us for one of the most extraordinary career journeys you will ever hear as Roberto Nuñez, National Brand Ambassador for Patrón Tequila, shares how he left the priesthood to become a bartender. Roberto opens up about his 15 years in the seminary, including working at the Vatican as a tour guide and ceremonier, before realizing that his true calling lay behind the bar. He also draws historical connections between spirits, religion, and service, noting the long tradition of monks and priests producing beer, wine, and liqueurs, and how that foundation shaped his approach to hospitality. Roberto also discusses how his Mexican heritage instilled a deep respect for serving others, and why bartending ultimately became his true form of ministry.

WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge

WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

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Join us for a conversation with Philip Greene, acclaimed spirits historian and author of Sours: A History of the World's Most Storied Cocktail Style. Philip traces the time-tested combination of citrus and sugar when paired with spirits, from the humble Whiskey Sour to the Daiquiri, Sidecar, Margarita, and Cosmopolitan. He unpacks the fascinating history and lore behind these universally beloved beverages, revealing how a simple formula has captivated drinkers for centuries. Philip shares the stories of the bartenders, bars, and cultural moments that shaped these iconic drinks and offers practical wisdom for mastering them behind the bar. Get his book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/philip-greene/sours/9781454946021/

WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge

Join us for a conversation through the high-energy world of flair bartending with Tom Dyer, two-time World Champion, co-founder of the World Flair Association, and an educator with over 80 international competition wins to his name. Tom discusses his new book, Flair Bartending: The Origin, The Golden Era, The Untold, a stunning 500-page collector's edition co-authored with Marco Canova. He traces the art form's evolution from smoky bars in the 1980s to dazzling global stages, sharing untold stories and exclusive insights from the pioneers and legends who shaped its golden era. Featuring over 300 rare photographs, the book is both a historical tribute and a visual celebration of the passion, creativity, and showmanship that transformed bartending into a worldwide phenomenon.

Buy his book (worldwide:) https://tomdyerbartender.com/shop-1/ols/products/flair-bartending-book

Buy his book (USA:) https://barsupplies.com/products/flair-bartending-by-marco-canova-tom-dyer?srsltid=AfmBOoppxuxoLfY9uT5GAOxAQJtmfPl4EWaPRNfZp0z8b5HxWwhVHQQd

WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge

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Join us for a deep dive into the world of whiskey with Matt Klette, Head of Advocacy at Proximo Spirits, as we do a 101 introducory class on their whiskey portfolio. On the show, he walks us through the distinct stories and production methods behind Great Jones Distilling Co., Tin Cup, Stranahan's, Pendleton Whiskey, and the legendary Bushmills. He makes a compelling case for why American single malts and Irish whiskeys deserve a bigger role in tropical and classic cocktails, challenging assumptions about where these spirits belong. From unique barrel finishes to aging techniques, Matt breaks down what gives each whiskey its signature character and how to best showcase them in mixed drinks. The conversation also touches on the exciting rise of single malts beyond Scotland, with American distilleries carving out their own bold identity. Tune in for a spirited and educational journey through some of the most versatile whiskeys on the shelf today.

This episode produced in association with Proximo Spirits

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FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge