Riley shares a witty way to handle an unruly sports fan, while guest Ian Anderson recounts a memorable moment involving a PBR-fueled confrontation. The trio discusses the art of de-escalation, navigating the hospitality industry, and maintaining respect amidst challenging interactions. Whether you're in the service industry or just a fan of engagin…

Hosts Carl and Riley, joined by guest Camden, dive into the bartending world with humorous and wild tales from behind the bar. The episode features stories of unusual drink orders, over-served wedding parties, and a server struggling with a twist-off wine bottle. They discuss dealing with demanding customers, handling fakes, and the surprising anti…

Bartenders Carl and Riley share tales behind the bar, tackling humorous mixology mishaps and unexpected encounters. Riley attempts to recreate a cocktail, leading to a candid discussion about bartending trials and teamwork. They explore a Reddit story of a bartender sharing her number with a regular, delving into the nuances of barroom flirting and…

Carl and Riley dive into the unpredictable world of the hospitality industry, sharing wild stories and real-life bar dilemmas. They discuss bar etiquette, the role of barbacks, and the challenges of maintaining harmony among staff amidst chaotic shifts. The duo evaluates a scenario involving inter-staff dynamics and debates its impact on job effici…

Carl and Riley explore the hospitality industry, sharing bizarre tales and rants from behind the bar. They discuss the challenges bartenders face when dealing with regular patrons who exploit the system, especially those arguing over unpaid drinks. The duo also highlights an alarming story of a family using fake IDs, leading to an unexpected revela…

Welcome to The Carl Busch Diaries podcast! Today, instead of a regular "Do You Want to Start a Tab?" you are listening to Carl's other podcast. Today, I'm excited to take you on a personal journey as a wine shop owner. In this episode, I’ll be sharing seven vital lessons I’ve learned in just three months. From mastering time management and learning…

Carl and Riley delve into the unpredictability of the service industry with engaging tales from behind the bar. Carl shares a rant from a bartender about the baffling trend of Gen Z patrons attempting to use photo IDs. Riley recounts a disturbing encounter involving a 16-year-old employee and an inappropriate customer. Tune in to hear their discuss…

Carl and Riley dive into bartending horror stories, tackling encounters with entitled customers and the repercussions on staff. Riley shares a Reddit tale about a toxic manager from a Tex-Mex joint, while Carl recounts a bartender’s unfair firing for refusing service to rowdy patrons. They discuss the impact of management on job satisfaction and th…

Carl and Riley talk with Jon Mateer, a seasoned bartender and top-10 finalist in the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo bartender competition. Jon shares his experience preparing for the competition, including crafting creative cocktails, navigating speed rounds, and pairing drinks with food. He offers insights and tips for future compet…

Carl and Riley recount their adventure at a brewery pool party and a dive bar visit before diving into a special discussion with returning guest Billy, a competitor in the US World Class Bartender competition by Diageo. Billy shares his journey from creative drink submissions to intense live rounds in Denver, dropping tips on menu design and compet…

Carl and Riley, seasoned bartenders, delve into hilarious and cringeworthy stories from the service industry. They share a Reddit post about a manager facing a rare customer complaint over a simple mistake and another about pretentious bar patrons. Discussions include the mental shortcut of Hanlon's razor and customers' inappropriate use of the ter…

Carl and Riley delve into another wild week in the bartending world, featuring sting operations, underage drinking traps, and the curious fate of Crown Royal bags. Carl shares his close encounters with overzealous IDs, while Riley questions the value and fascination behind those iconic liquor bags. This candid discussion scrutinizes new vs. veteran…

Carl and Riley explore the quirks of the service industry in this episode of "Do You Want to Start a Tab?" They share a touching story from Reddit about a bartender finding joy in a retired customer's simple joke. Later, a voicemail seemingly mirrors the plot of the movie Cocktail, prompting a humorous discussion. Tune in for anecdotes, reflections…

Carl and Riley dive into the wild world of hospitality with stories of entitled guests and dubious employers. First, they recount a clash over a reserved chair on a cruise ship, where a "Karen" meets her match. Next, they discuss the risks and pitfalls of a questionable bartending job offer in California, examining if $25 cash per hour without tips…

Carl and Riley dive into the highs and lows of the hospitality industry with relatable tales from bartenders and servers. From a new bartender misunderstanding the term "86" to the challenges of dating while working unconventional hours, they share laughs and insights on navigating life behind the bar. Listen as they explore the nuances of industry…

This episode kicks off with their experience mixing cocktails and leads to a story from Reddit about a bigoted encounter at a gay bar. They discuss the intricacies of tipping etiquette, reflecting on a controversial situation in which a couple was banned for consistently failing to tip. Through humor and real-world insights, Carl and Riley aim to e…

Carl and Riley delve into the absurdity of service industry pricing as they recount a frustrating night out. Discover their humorous take on a shocking $44 tab for two Knob Creek Old Fashioneds and how a young bartender's inexperience led to a conversation on regional drink pricing. They also discuss navigating bar orders, overpriced cocktails, and…

Carl and Riley discuss two stories from the hospitality industry. They explore a tale of a customer who calls the police on himself after being denied a drink at a bar, resulting in a DUI. They also delve into the importance of communicating with bartenders and servers when a drink or dish doesn't meet expectations. We emphasize the need for respec…

Carl and Riley discuss two stories highlighting the importance of good management in the service industry. In the first story, a bartender refuses to tip out a new employee who saved the day during a busy shift. The hosts agree that the bartender is wrong and commend the manager for making the right decision. In the second story, a manager tries to…

In this episode, they discuss a bartender's revenge on a customer who complained about the amount of alcohol in their drink. They rate the story and share their experiences with customers who nitpick about glassware and pour sizes. Tune in for hilarious anecdotes and insights into the service industry. Don't forget to tip your bartenders and drink …

Carl and Riley discuss two stories from the service industry. The first story involves a bartender dealing with inattentive coworkers and a customer who takes revenge by vomiting at the bar. The second story features a server who recounts a chaotic experience with a large party that resulted in a challenging check-splitting process. The hosts rate …

Today, Carl and Riley discuss a situation where a customer's joke was misunderstood by a bartender, leading to a heated exchange. They also explore a confession from a restaurant worker who purposefully fueled animosity in the workplace by organizing a dessert sales contest. Tune in for entertaining anecdotes and insights into the hospitality indus…

Billy Fredlund, a bartender from Indiana, joins Carl and Riley. They discuss a Reddit post about someone who refuses to wait in crowded bars for drinks. The hosts debate whether the person is an asshole or if their friends are the real problem. They also share their experiences and offer advice on finding better friends and alternative bar options.…

In this episode, they discuss a bartender's tale dealing with an unruly customer who refused to leave. The situation takes a surprising turn when a regular saves the day. Tune in to hear the details and find out if the customer got what he deserved. Plus, they rate the story on a scale of one to five. Don't miss this entertaining and relatable epis…

In this wild episode, Nacole recounts a chaotic night at a bar she managed. With owners and investors partying and overserving guests, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. A patron fell and cracked his head open, blood was everywhere, and chaos ensued. Despite the mayhem, Nacole did her best to keep things under control. The story highlig…

In this episode, Carl and Riley are joined by Jon, a bartender in Dubuque, Iowa, at Brazen Open Kitchen. They discuss Jon's experiences with a regular customer named Greg, who has a fascinating story. Greg would often help out at the bar and bring empty bottles and glassware, but he never drank anything himself. Jon bonded with Greg and even cared …

Maggie Young joins us on the podcast today. She bartends and does massage therapy at the Hotel Julien. In today's episode, the Carl, Riley, and Maggie delve into the hospitality world, recounting a Reddit tale about an outlandish attempt to get ejected from a music festival and exploring the unique challenges of bar and festival dynamics. They also…

Maggie Young joins us on the podcast today. She bartends and does massage therapy at the Hotel Julien. Story One - A group of friends have an interesting night out trying to be there for a friend who is upset. Blood and a broken windshield come into play. Story Two - Maggie shares a story about a guest at a wedding who wanted beer and even went beh…

We are excited for two reasons!! Reason one, it's our 50th show. Reason two, Steve the Bartender is our special guest. Steve is an author, owner of a distillery, and YouTube bartender with over 700,000 subscribers. He gives us two great stories after Carl fumbles the first story. Steve the Bartender Book - https://amzn.to/3NXQwE8 Steve the Bartende…

Story One - A group of people come into a bar, stand in the way of the servers and a smartass decides to try to buy their way out but doesn't have his wallet. Story Two - A random drunk person comes in a bar to use the bathroom, decides to try to steal some bottles of booze. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttost…

Story One - A guest gets cut off, leaves the bar. The bartender gets off work and goes to a different bar for a couple. Orders an Uber and it's the guest they cut off was driving. Story Two - Group is sitting at the bar, eating outside food. Bartender lets them know a couple times they can't wat outside food. He turns off the TV and the guest goes …

Story One - A bar takes screen shots of security footage of people being assholes and hangs them on the wall. Someone isn't happy about that. Story Two - A server at a country club gets a life changing tip. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Support the…

Story One - A random person offers part of his burrito to a woman that looks like she really needs it. Story Two - A woman hosts parties at her house and gets upset when someone drinks a lot and doesn't tip her. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Suppor…

Story One - A racist bartender gets called dumb because of her hair color and doesn't like it at all Story Two - A guest wants to pay for $3,000 hotel room for a female bartender that is in a relationship Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Support the S…

Story One - Guest comes into a cocktail bar with a lot of attitude treat the bartender like shit. Bartender says she can't come back but 2 weeks later she does. Story Two - A couple goes to a bar for dinner where the husband is a regular. The new-ish female bartender is only paying attention to the husband. The wife pays the bill $60 with a $30 tip…

Story One - A female guest shows her ID to the bartender and he decides to show other guests her ID. Story Two - A server from another restaurant never tips at a bar, the bartender does one of the best pity things you can do. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 2…

Story One - Customer thinks gin should be chilled before serving. Bartender asks him if he wants to put his skills to the test. Story Two - A customer is out with friends and ends up talking to the bartender most of the night. A friend's wife tells him he shouldn't be doing that. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwan…

Story One - Playing metal and other songs at a bar and one woman doesn't like the choice of songs Story Two - A couple is supposed to bartend for a wedding and found out they are getting paid less than $11 an hr and have to be there for 11 hours. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Le…

Story One - A couple is at a airport restaurant and the bartender gives the husband a hard time for not drinking alcohol with his coke. Story Two - A guest who spilled her drink while dancing wants a new drink, the bartender asks if she purchased drink insurance. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give…

Story One - A gentleman is at the bar drinking blended margaritas and clipping his fingernails. Story Two - A broke college student is at trivia night and runs into a vocal bartender. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Support the Show - https://www.pat…

Story One - Bartender rips too many shots behind the bar and passes out. His friend/boss has to let him go. Story Two - Server wants his date to have all his shift drinks and he never tips out the bartenders. Perfect time for some revenge. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a S…

Story One - A group of friends are out at a bar and woman orders a drink and some food. The bartender leaves their open beer at a different table before bringing it over to them. The males ask for a new beer because it could have been spiked. The bartender refuses. Story Two - A woman is out with some co-workers and a random male asks several diffe…

Story One - Customer is doing what he pleases and makes fun of server. He forgets his phone at the bar and wants it back after they are closed. Doesn't get his way and makes a scene. Then the staff do something we have never heard of. Story Two - A gentleman orders a beer for someone else sitting at the bar that is celebrating his birthday. Birthda…

Story One - A bar owner is away on vacation. One of her friends decides to harass and assault one of the owner's bartenders. Story Two - A server sees a man at her table divorce his wife while they are out to eat. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Supp…

Story One: Girlfriend throws up at the bar. The next day, her boyfriend tries to help her remember what happened and gets dumped. Story Two: A guest orders a craft beer at a bar. The bartender tells them they are sober and can't help them out. Thanks to our monthly supporters Pawel Billy Fredlund Léo Vignol Lelarge Sean Prior Matt Straff Chandler T…

Story One - Family goes into a sports bar and requests there be no UFC fights on the TVs. Bar manger takes care of the issue. Story Two - Employee steals a 6 pack of beer and believes they are entitled to it because they worked hard. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story -…

Erick Castro joins is today on the podcast! Erick is current co-owner of Raised by Wolves, and formerly Boilermaker and Polite Provisions, three award-winning destinations for cocktails and spirits. He has worked in the hospitality industry from age 14 and his bartending experience spans both coasts and was recently named one of the Bar World 100: …

Story One - A bartender watches a women tells him to give her bill to a gentleman that is sitting across the bar after a football game. Story Two - An uncle was told by the bartenders at a wedding that he is not allowed to have an adult beverage. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Le…

Story One - Server doesn't tip out the bartender because they think the bartender stole a 20 top table. Story Two - A guest who has known a bartender for 3 years, pulls them off to the side and told them they need to stop drinking behind the bar. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Le…

We have our first double guest episode! Sean Prior is a fellow podcaster, musician, and nice guy. His fiancé, Katie Beeks, is a former bartender and now going to dental school. They are also close friends of ours. Story One: A bartender refuses to serve a pregnant woman and keeps letting it be known about her views. Story Two: Sean heads to a movie…