Music and Booze With Mo

Mike Anders currently tends bar at the James Beard nominated spot the Elbow Room, established in 1970 in Vancouver, Washington. When he got into bartending, he was content to just pour shots and beers, but keep finding himself in places that experimented in creativity and he went along for the ride. Now crafting beautiful drinks is just second nature to him, so working in a cocktail dive bar is the perfect place to be. The Elbow Room also places a high premium on albums, which works great for Mike since he has thousands of records he brings into the spot to help set the mood. Check out some of his favorite long plays via this Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2d91jHMHK8fe9LST6OYwfx?si=o2jKnbXeSNWhBkiEwnHS7w

Minakshi Singh started bartending at events and parties and fell in love... but legally, she couldn't bartend in an actual bar. It was the '00s in India, and despite that obstacle, she forged a career in the spirits industry and opened several bars. Starting with Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy, she followed with Sidecar (awarded as one of Asia's Best), The Brook, The Old House (in Nepal) and the later cofounded the India Bartender Show, creating the premiere gathering for bartenders and spirits folk in the nation. (Women are now allowed to work in bars in several Indian states... but not all!) Live music plays a big part in her venues, and she loves to rock. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/43XOfGjnoKvsRlxvhah8hk?si=_349LflpTO63rWQOaN1P6w

Nathan Elliott can be found behind the bar at Scotch Lodge in Portland, Oregon, which just racked up James Beard semifinalist nomination but has been deeply appreciated by its community since opening in 2019 (Esquire magazine has already recognized it as one of their best bars as well). Nathan got into bartending the old fashioned way - trying to support his music habit. From his start playing in a No Doubt cover band in junior high, he made it all the way to LA and an official music industry break playing bass and singing with the group National Product. Once the tours ended, he stopped just picking up shifts and went for the full time bar thing, mastering craft cocktails and letting the music become a beloved hobby. Rock out with him here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55WvNsHNR8JEn8FVTKBJ9d?si=guRfyMnVSq-z5psFvx8a2w

Ricky Ramirez didn't mean to own a bar, it just kind of happened. And even though he sort of wishes he took a little more time diving in, The Mothership in Milwaukee, WI seems to have done ok, racking up a James Beard Semifinalist nod this year. Ricky grew up with religious parents in the Latin community so screaming in metal bands and becoming a bartender was not really an expected outcome (or was it?), but after pouring too many craft beers he switched to craft cocktails and created an inclusive community space for his neighborhood. Check out his playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GwK1VgttSQWOcF1uDKKJY?si=meAp7hT3QriH3XDHiRSBMw

Billy Weathers is bringing community to both the music scene and the cocktail scene of Des Moines, Iowa. He opened The Contrary just over a year ago after visiting craft bars in places like Chicago and San Diego, and decided his town deserved something like that. His vision has just earned the space a James Beard semi-finalist spot for best new bar. Billy also performs hip hop as B. Well, and continues to play a part in supporting local music and art, determined to bring the citizens of his town more culture to enjoy. Check out Billy's Listening Hour (and some of his music too!) here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3rB2vS8wPLh3OVGQKawpCl?si=9VzTZ9TySTyBLfaKxFI45A

Abigail Gullo, who you can find leading the program at New Orleans spot Loa, kicked off her bartending career in her native New York, where she trained (and drank) under some of the masters of the mid aughts. After honing her skills at Fort Defiance, she realized her other career onstage acting and singing was possibly behind her (although she's still ready of the opportunity arises!). She made her way to New Orleans, where she landed at the Commander's Palace family and moved to the award winning Compere Lapin, picking up several accolades along the way for herself. Check out this playlist of the songs she sings along to behind the bar: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5XLX1r8vpWOaNs52gYefs7?si=COmBvRThTEGAfcmxXI7uVQ

Charlie Lehmann & Cosmo Soto bartended in a variety of Sydney, Australia spots (from local dives to crafty speakeasies) before they had the opportunity to become owners of two music centric cocktail joints: Ramblin' Rascal Tavern and Double Deuce Lounge. They became the top selling spot for cognac in the country while also providing live tunes to their community, certainly haven't shied away from having some cheeky fun with their drinks, and provide some of the best playlists in town. There are many colorful characters in both the Aussie music and booze scene, and these two have some great stories about that and more! Then check out their Ramblin' Deuce playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1MBVg6ZQwU9xSmffOvvD5E?si=SVqU1sViQOKGRkK3GZFSDQ

Damien Cavicchi is owner of Jackson, Mississippi's legendary music spot Hal & Mal's as well as the speakeasy tucked away nearby, The Walk In. Although he isn't a trained bartender (his calling is to be the chef), he did put those culinary skills to use when crafting the spirit free cocktails for The Walk In. Likewise, he dabbled at guitar and fronted a band in his younger days, but his love of music is still an integral part of him and now he channels it into playlists for the bars. Check out his Mezcal Morning music here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/20FWIdbXJemvLobgHSx0OB?si=LVtRVvUbTomPjxqeBsz-3Q

Alex Howard, owner of Martha My Dear in Nashville, thought he was going to go into the music industry but got bit by the bartending bug instead. He came from a family of music creatives, and he went to college to study the music business himself and become a mover and a shaker. To pay the bills he got into hospitality, and the longer he worked in it, the more he loved it. From learning the basics at Ruby Tuesday and fine tuning his skills at Attaboy, he made the leap to ownership with a spot named after a Beatles Song and his mom. Ease into his indie stylings with this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6dj7gHkVNeUwNqLlyhsoKk?si=NIoQ309dSuSLlfbI70ndkg

Hannah Spear, bartender at Chicago's Bisous, started playing violin when she was 6 and thought that was going to be her entire life. After years of training and the highs and lows that come with an intense musical existence, she needed to take a break. Enter bartending. Now the craft of making cocktails has her performing for Chicago's drinkers, playing with terroir, reversing martinis, and drinking sherry with jazz. Hear how she balances life at Bisous while restoring her love of violin on this episode, and check out her professed drama queen styled playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18vOkhghn90s5tBOoDNwQn?si=bMg6gYjuTkuXd3FLiHGNXw

Lou Bernard currently serves as the beverage director for Mita in Washington DC, applying his skills to the drinks at this James Beard nominated (and Michelin Guide) vegan Latin restaurant. He's been involved in the DC scene for years though, proudly bringing the flavors and inspirations from his Latin upbringing to the bar and introducing the area to Singani. He was recently named one of Punch's best new bartenders of 2025, and he's known to sling some drinks named for hip hop tracks while blasting rock en español. Check out his Latin Vibes DC style playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25Je5BHIPWBiQ6X4eFm8k3?si=3AG3JPPVQhOntO6BGvqjKg

Danny Garcia bartended in the Midwest and the Southwest, and when Lady Jane came calling, he made his way to Denver to join the team. Now serving as the spot's assistant general manager, Danny talks about his love for rums and his current obsession with Billy Joel while not forgetting his childhood fascination with swing music and playing saxophone. He learned something from each space he worked at, and he brought all of that knowledge to the acclaimed Lady Jane program.

Alexandra Kuechler Caffall returned to her hometown of Portland, OR after having been part of the NYC cocktail scene, spending years at Fort Defiance, and now behind the bar at Too Soon. She moved around the music world too, playing several instruments and leading worship groups when she was young, then ditcvhing that to head into opera and direction of musical experiences. We talk the philosophy of music and the craft of the playlist as well as the cocktail in this freewheeling episode. Check out her playlist for mixed company here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KdTkgBW3qxlI91Z98iw5k?si=TOoE1RluS6Cyn-vKkzXx6A

Judd Finkelstein - known as The Fink, which is also the name of his award winning cocktail bar in Napa Valley - has been a drinks scholar from an early age, digging up classic recipes to try out on friends when they were still more about beer bongs. He even formed the Friends of Ardent Mixology (F.O.A.M.) decades ago, creating a community of like minded folks who enjoyed learning about all things spirit related. And he was a radio DJ by the tender age of 17! There are a lot of fun stories for you in this one, and he selected some great music for you to drink with as well: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0AP6BbezcRO9KGf3qYgYKI?si=l3fqIvfxSUmnd8cOA7snHQ

Cristian Salazar Diaz went from the bar scene in Fresno to combining his culinary training and bartending skills at Trader Sam's at Disneyland, and now can be found at The Lucky Tiki, located in both West Hollywood and Highland Park, CA. He accidentally found himself in the tiki world and went at it with gusto, later applying molecular experimentation into his mixing and enjoying the community and culture that goes along with the lifestyle. It's a long way from his grungy skater days as a drummer, but he still lves that music as much as he loves his tiki life. Check out his playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qgSWVWG08Ql25BODVQxHV?si=MG88UPseSdixnikATBd-MQ

Cesilia Berumen took the long way to her current role as the general manager at The Golden Tiki in Las Vegas, having a full career and family already in place before relocating to the desert playground about 20 years ago. That major life change also put her in the managerial world of hospitality before she decided to take a step back into bartending, and eventually landed her in an immersive tiki world that is showy in a way that only Vegas can really pull off. Although she doesn't play her flute or violin or banjo anymore, she still loves music and knows how to handle the big names that pass through, like the Backstreet Boys during their Vegas residency! Check out her chaotic sing-a-long playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wttQNZM85wxuyIhVUZFAQ?si=RV7IBEhNTP67CqVdpTP10w

Ryan Jones is relatively new to the tiki cocktail scene, but he admired it from afar for a long time before he had the opportunity to be a part of it. Growing up in a formerly dry county in Kentucky, he taught himself how to make tiki drinks and drove hours to find specific ingredients. This all paid off when he got a job at the revived Don the Beachcomber bar in Tampa, FL, and then moved on to the tiki speakeasy, Morgan's Cove, after Don's was destroyed in a hurricane. He didn't bring his drum kit with him when he moved, but his band days are not quite behind him! Get to know Ryan and check out his beach punk playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/15AkasmcH69k6U91xHboiR?si=PTVp86cJTuuk-XNHInzwmQ

Suzanne Navarro teamed up with her business partner to open a tiki bar in Maui, Ester's Fair Prospect, after she realized she didn't want to have a boss anymore. Before that, she bounced around Bay Are dive bars, did a stint at Miami's Sweet Liberty, and got her rum education in Chicago at Three Dots and a Dash. But the islands were calling, so she picked up her guitar and crossed the ocean to land in Maui to make her dream of opening a tiki bar come true. They survived the pandemic, have a lovely local following, and have become a stop for tiki aficionados traveling through the islands. Check out her island music here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0OrNAhbfMC9oOhs6r5zowo?si=4w-qqM5rR7WOI8Bri3fQow

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