Shows / Buy Back Podcast
Buy Back Podcast
Drinking buds Alex and John track down the funniest, most disgusting, and wildest bartending stories from the best of the best!
Episodes
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 127: Things Not Like Us: Haunted Bars 2026
Synopsis: Alex rises from the gravely busy business of being a dad), and regales us with tales of Haunted Irish Bars! Grab a beverage of your choosing or…
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 126: Ghost Stories 2026
Synopsis: All around the globe, bartenders, servers, chefs, and more work hard to keep your restaurant experiences enjoyable and memorable. But we're also no…
- Buy Back Podcast
"Tu Puedes Cantar," Omar!
Three-time guest Arianne returns this week and brings along her longtime friend, server and pop-up chef Omar Vallecillo, to The Buy Back table! Omar has walked…
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Episode 124: There's Something Fishy About Rachel
Rachel moved from the Ukraine to Florida as a small, vodka-drinking baby. She learned English at 7, but until then, successfully communicated her needs by…
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Episode 123: Tropical Storm Allie DOUBLE SIZED SEASON EIGHT PREMIERE
Synopsis: Allie was born on the night of a hurricane. Some say they named the hurricane Allie after her. 16 years later, her journey in restaurants began. In…
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Episode 122: Shaelan O'Connor Will Die on That Hill DOUBLE SIZED SEASON FINALE
Every time Shaelan O'Connor thinks she's out, they pull her back in. Bartending defined her 20's, and she couldn't imagine her life without restaurants, but…
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Episode 121: Liv the Dream
Never once did Liv think that her job to earn some quick cash as a barista would turn into a career as a bartender. Come with us to the state of Washington…
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Episode 120: Jack Terry - The World's ONLY Tommy Bahama Rumologist (Part 2)
This week, you get Part 2 of Bartender (and Author) Jack Terry. From Key West, to Montana, from Pennsylvania to New York City, Jack's been everywhere and done…
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Episode 119: Popcorn Jack and The Great Good Place (Part 1)
Ladies and Gentleman, Regulars and Patrons, prepare to be amazed as the world wanderer, the tall tower of tonics, the cocktail codex himself, Popcorn Jack…
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Episode 118: Lessons in CYA with Heather in San Antonio
Heather in San Antonio always keeps her wet vac handy in her truck, so when the restaurant bathroom starts to flood, she doesn't sweat. When the two servers…
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Episode 117: Steve's Not Dead Yet!
Knives, Guns, Wooden Legs, Women's Hygienic Products. NeoNazis. These are only a few things that have been used in an attempt to take him down. But Steve in…
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Episode 116: Melissa Just Might Eat Your Children (Part 2)
Pull up a seat. If you're just joining us (that's weird, go listen to Part 1, ya weirdo) Melissa has found herself in New Orleans and feels her time behind the…
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Episode 115: Melissa Always Finds a Way (Part 1)
Melissa at Rizzuto's Prime in New Orleans has a commendable amount of years behind the pine. From "gentleman's" clubs, to dive bars, to fine dining, she's seen…
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Episode 114: Connor, The Tender Tender of Philadelphia
Connor works in a bar like his father before him (and maybe his father's father before him, I don't know we didn't go that far back.) He may be young, but…
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Episode 113: Jeremy Radio: Charlotte's Traveling Tiki Bartender
Multi-talented Jeremy Radio swings by for a Mai Tai and Malort on The Buy Back this week. Mister Radio has made a name for himself as the best bartender for…
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Episode 112: Dive Bar Oysters with Tristynn (Part 2)
We broke down this week. Well, Tristynn broke down in the middle of nowhere and found a dive bar with oysters and a DJ named Parmajawn. On top of that, she…
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Episode 111: Tristynn The Night Away (Part 1 of 2)
As a huge chapter in her life comes to a close, (Yeah, right! She'll be back) Tristynn stops by The Buy Back studios (Recorded at Diamond Dogs in Astoria…
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Episode 110: Wizbang - Professional Wedding Shot Taker (It's Not What You Think)
Lizz ‘Wizbang’ from Racine switches from doing shots behind the bar to shots at weddings. There are two types of bartenders: those who stay for six months and…
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Episode 109: The Real Matty Rangel - The Return!
The Real Matty Rangel is back this week! Almost three years ago, Matty was a guest on the podcast, and since then, his presence on social media has only grown…
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Episode 108: Courtney Swears She Didn't Do Slip and Slide In The Bar
Courtney is celebrating her 20th year at Jack's Fire Department. Yes, that Jack's. This week, John sits returns from Iceland (and the hospital) to keep it real…
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Episode 107: VictoryJón, He's Just a Little Better Than the Average Jón
In the Icelandic language, Sigur means Victory, and Sigurjón visiting the Buy Back Podcast this week is DEFINITELY a victory for us. Born and raised in…
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Episode 106: BUY BACK IN ICELAND - Jessica Finds a Home at Lebowski Bar 1
BUY BACK IN ICELAND: Jessica has travelled all throughout Europe to find a place that makes her feel like home. Italy, England, Amsterdam, nothing quite did…
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Episode 105: Marcos is a Garbage Man with a Heart of Gold
Marcos just opened Cousin Larry's in Sunnyside, but he's still a kid at heart. Adulting is hard, and Marcos is finding the perfect balance. From East Village…
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Episode 104: Cocktails and Needles with Peter at DRINK
It's the night before the first night of food service at Drink NYC and Peter just wants "to do dope, cool... sh...tuff..." Tattoo needles are prepped, the ice…
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Episode 103: Bailey Gets the Last Laugh at the Comedy Club
This week, Bailey takes the stage for a Buy Back set. She breaks down the behind-the-scenes of comedy clubs, hecklers, and what's good and bad right now in the…
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Episode 102: Mia and Robbie Take Us Back to School!
Mia and Robbie have been behind the pine for only a few years, but they probably have had to put up with more than your average bartender. They tend bar at a…
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 101: Jeremy Pepper Sprays the Joint
Jeremy at the Painted Pin in Atlanta accidentally creates a homemade pepper spray and releases it on his entire bar. It's fine, though. Everyone was fine... we…
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Episode 99: Jess Gives Up Being a Princess for Being a Bartender
Jess has worked on Avenue A for 17 years. Rounding out the Sing Sing Ave A Trilogy, we return to Sing Sing Ave A for a final time to sit down with 11-year…
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Episode 98: Alex Takes the Show on the Road
This week, Alex at With a Splash Mobile Bartending, based in Connecticut, shows us how to take a typically stationary job and travel all over, bringing the…
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Episode 97: 2025 Holiday Special
Join John and Alex as they continue their holiday tradition of writing and reading scary ghost stories of Christmases long, long ago.
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 96: Aria and Joe go to Camp Part 2 (co-host Lisa)
Lisa and John delve deeper into their cups at Joe and Aria's apartment, talking about first drinks, camp!, and fun times.
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 95: BREAKING NEWS - SantaCon is Here!
Join John and Alex as they discuss the real history of Santacon, the dos and don'ts of Santacon, and brainstorm ways to enjoy the event without causing too…
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 94: Aria and Joe Invite Us Over For Drinks in Astoria
This week, John and returning guest Lisa are invited to the home of beer rep Joe, and Lisa's co-worker at Mosaic and Bar Dalia, Aria. Over a bottle (or two) of…
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Episode 93: Blackout Wednesday with John and Alex
Join John and Alex as they talk about traditions, Blackout Wednesday, and upcoming surprises!
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 92: Jasmine Double Dips in the Hotel and Sports Bar Scenes in Atlanta
Join John as he talks with Jasmine about her wild experiences in the Atlanta hospitality and bar scene. And for you movie soundtrack fans, do we have a treat…
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Episode 91: (LIVE) Sam at Hair of the Dog and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Co-Host Elena)
Sam and his sister, returning guest Elena (episode 51) sit down with John at a live and undisclosed location and chat about Sam's meteoric rise through the…
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Episode 90: Bartender Ghost Stories!
From faces frozen in glass to encouraging spirits, this episode contains all the horrible, heartwarming, and haunting stories from some of your favorite…
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Episode 89: True Crime Bars! Season 7 Premiere!
Join John and Alex as they kick off spooky season in bars where murders happened, serial killers frequented, and mob bosses stashed dead bodies. This episode…
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Episode 88: Andrew at DeNucci's Gets the Band Back Together - GIANT SIZED SEASON FINALE
In this special GIANT SIZED Buy Back (call it a double) Season Finale, Andrew from DeNucci's in Highland Park outside Chicago sits down with both John and Alex…
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Episode 87: Crystal in Beacon was Conceived in Atlantic City
Crystal returns this week to talk about her personal war with raccoons, Funky Cold Medinas, and Covid's effect on local business. She also may have been…
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Episode 86: Crystal at Wonderbar and Coopers Loves Creepy Old Men
Crystal has worked in every type of bar possible, including a few you've never heard of. In this Part 1 of 2, Crystal charts her journey from bev cart golf…
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Episode 85: Alec, Bev Director for Carver Road, Hosts Your Favorite TV Show's Cast Party
Alec returns for Part 2 at the Starchild Rooftop, where he takes us behind the scenes to a cast party of one of TV's hottest shows. He and John dig deeper into…
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Episode 84: Alec Kass at Starchild Rooftop is a High Performer but Difficult to Manage
In this week's Part 1 of 2, Alec Kass—an old acting buddy and now the Corporate Beverage Manager of Carver Road Hospitality Group—sits down with John at one of…
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Episode 83: Natasha and Carlo of Bateman's are Keeping it Classy in Manhattan
Natasha, Carlo, and John all met at the now-defunct sports (read: absolute dive) bar called Duren. Natasha was bartending, Carlo was DJing, and John was…
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Episode 82: Liz at Piranha Bar in Montreal Loses Her Passport in NYC
In this week's episode, John's American ego is exposed, while Liz from Piranha Bar in Montreal patiently explains all things Canada. Listen as they talk about…
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Episode 81: Phil Burke Phililoquizes for a Session
While IMDB knows him best as Mickey McGinnes on AMC's Hell on Wheels, and his family knows him best as Phillip, John knows him best as his bartending buddy…
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Episode 80: Dustin at Sunrise Tequila Bar Goes All In On Cocktails in Atlantic City
This week on The Buy Back, Dustin gives up a life as a lion tamer in Zimbabwe (for some reason) and moves to New Jersey (for some reason) to become one of the…
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Episode 79: John and Alex Get Lit in Some More Historic Bars
Join John and Alex as they get a little nerdy and discuss bars where some of the most famous authors frequented. In this episode we discover just how much we…
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Episode 78: Nick from Mover and Shaker Co Bartends in a Different City Every Week
Nick, a founder of Mover and Shaker Co. joins John this week to talk about running a social media empire, guest bartending around the country, and managing…
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Episode 77: Amber at the Texas Rose Can't Tell Her Grandma about this Podcast
The hilarious Amber, a professional K.J., down at the Texas Rose in Beaumont, Texas, joins John this week for a slightly more musical than usual episode. Join…
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Episode 76: Alya at Solas Gets Good Tips Because She's Russian, That's the ONLY Reason (Co-Host Aly)
Alya from Solas in Manhattan tells John and returning-season-1-guest Aly about the 20+ bars she's worked in and the Popeye-like powers she gains from spinach.
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Episode 75: Bree at Pole Katz Works in the Former Murder Capital of the World
Join John as he interviews Bree from Pole Katz and learn what it's like to bartend and serve in a strip club.
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Episode 74: Christen's Mom Makes Her Tea, while Keiran Walks into a Pond
Christen and Keiran talk to John about the Astoria bar friendships they made and all John wants to do is make out with everyone.
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Episode 73: When Blackbird's Christen Walks Into The Goat, Keiran Immediately Leaves
Join John as he interviews Christen from Blackbirds and Kieran from the Goat.
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 72: Danny (And Jess) at Big Daddy's in Sicily Haven't Had a Day Off in a Really Really Really Long Time
Join John as he interviews Danny (and Jess) in Sicily!
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 71: Pat is Hailed as Vaguely Entertaining and Slightly Pompous at On The Rocks (Co-Host John)
Join John and John as they continue their conversation with Pat.
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 70: Pat at On The Rocks really Really REALLY knows Whisky (Co-Host John)
Join John and John as they interview Pat from On the Rocks.
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Episode 69: Sharlene and Stuart Wellington Met in a Bar (VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL)
Join John, Sharlene, and Stuart for this special episode!
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 68: Meredith at Hilton Head's Crazy Crab Gets a Tattoo That Changes Her Life
Join John as he interviews Meredith from Hilton Head's Crazy Crab.
- Buy Back Podcast
Episode 67: Scallywag's Johann is Unstoppable Behind the Bar and on the Pitch (Cohost - Siobhan)
Join John and cohost Siobhan as they interview Johan from Scallywags!