In this festive episode of Bedtime Bar Stories, host Gina Noble interviews producer Lee Hardwicke about holiday traditions, the bustling hospitality industry during the festive season, and the heartwarming moments that come with family gatherings. They discuss the cultural differences between Christmas and Thanksgiving, share listener interactions, and even whip up a delicious cocktail recipe. The conversation also delves into the origins of the podcast and memorable interviews from past episodes, highlighting the joy of storytelling over drinks. In this engaging conversation, Gina shares fascinating stories from his podcast, 'Bedtime Bar Stories,' highlighting extraordinary characters, ghostly encounters, and memorable customer interactions. The discussion explores the evolution of the bartending industry, favourite customer types, and hilarious restaurant mishaps, while also looking forward to exciting future guests and episodes.

Chapters

00:00 Festive Beginnings: Holiday Cheer and Introductions

03:08 Holiday Traditions: Celebrations Across Cultures

05:51 The Hospitality Hustle: Working Through the Holidays

09:04 Family Gatherings: The Heart of Holiday Celebrations

11:49 Thanksgiving vs. Christmas: A Cultural Comparison

15:09 Engaging with Listeners: Questions and Interactions

18:05 Cocktail Time: Festive Drink Recipes

20:55 The Birth of Bedtime Bar Stories: A Journey of Storytelling

23:46 Memorable Interviews: Highlights from the Podcast

30:19 Extraordinary Characters and Iconic Venues

31:48 The Essence of Bedtime Bar Stories

32:45 Travel Tales and Unique Encounters

34:35 Ghost Stories from Minerva's

38:33 Finding Fascinating People

41:22 Memorable Customer Interactions

43:33 The Evolution of the Bartending Industry

48:39 Favorite Customer Types

51:07 Hilarious Restaurant Mishaps

54:41 Dream Guests and Future Plans

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In this episode of Bedtime Bar Stories, host Gina Noble takes listeners on a journey through the iconic Drake Hotel in Chicago, exploring its rich history, celebrity encounters, and the unique culture of hospitality that defines the establishment. Gina talks to Chris, Bob and Benny, long-time staff members of the Drake, who share their experiences and memorable stories, including interactions with famous guests like Princess Diana and Aretha Franklin. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry and the enduring relationships formed with guests over the years. Additionally, the episode delves into the hotel's folklore, including ghost stories that add to its mystique.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bedtime Bar Stories

00:58 The Drake Hotel: A Historical Overview

03:26 Signature Cocktails and Hotel Culture

04:53 Journeys to the Drake Hotel

07:18 Memorable Encounters with Celebrities

12:35 The Importance of Guest Relationships

15:53 Anecdotes from the Hotel's Glory Days

20:40 The Drake's Unique Legacy

23:58 The Impact of COVID-19 on Hospitality

25:49 Ghost Stories and Hotel Folklore

32:37 Celebrity Encounters and Memorable Moments

39:32 Haunted Tales and Ghostly Experiences

46:01 The Heart of Hospitality: Personal Stories and Reflections

58:56 The Drake's Rich History and Notable Guests

Find out more about The Drake here: https://www.thedrakehotel.com

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Summary

In this episode of Bedtime Bar Stories, host Gina Noble is joined by guests Liz, Jake and Nadia to share heartfelt stories from their time in the bar industry, focusing on the impact of friendship, loss, and the signs from loved ones who have passed. Liz reminisces about a special friend, Levitt, whose untimely death left a profound mark on her life. The conversation flows into a night of reunion with friends, laughter, and unexpected adventures, highlighting the importance of connection and the magic of shared experiences. In this engaging conversation, Gina, Liz, Jake and Nadia share heartfelt stories about the power of connection, the beauty of being present in the moment, and a profound encounter with a clairvoyant. The discussion flows into the significance of communication and the impact of storytelling, particularly in the bartending world, where personal experiences and memorable encounters come to life. The conversation culminates in humorous and relatable tales from bartenders, highlighting the unique challenges and joys of their profession. Plus, Jake shares his signature cocktail recipe, the Chino Latino.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bedtime Bar Stories

02:15 Remembering Levitt: A Special Friendship

08:31 The Impact of Loss and Grief

12:20 Signs from Beyond: Levitt's Presence

19:35 The Coven: A Night of Reunion and Revelry

29:27 The Power of Connection

32:16 Moments Over Memories

36:06 A Clairvoyant Encounter

40:50 The Gift of Communication

44:02 Bartender Tales: A Prince Encounter

52:28 Bar Mares: The Nightmares of Bartending

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Gina is back wit the second part of her sit down with the elusive and charismatic Michael J Peter, best known as the ‘Godfather of the modern gentleman’s club’.

Michael serves up a heady cocktail of stories from his life in the fast lane. His rise from humble beginnings in Orlando to becoming one of America’s leading nightclub operators and the colorful characters he met along the way from Donald Trump to the Pussycat Dolls. And when it comes to his thoughts on Trump, he doesn’t hold back.

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The storyhunter returns for season 2 with a bang. Gina sits down with the elusive and charismatic Michael J Peter, best known as the ‘Godfather of the modern gentleman’s club’.

Michael serves up a heady cocktail of stories from his life in the fast lane. His rise from humble beginnings in Orlando to becoming one of America’s leading nightclub operators and the colorful characters he met along the way from Donald Trump to the Pussycat Dolls. And when it comes to his thoughts on Trump, he doesn’t hold back.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nightlife and Storytelling

02:53 Legal Challenges in the Nightclub Business

06:07 The Evolution of Nightclubs: From Orlando to Miami

09:05 Creating Opportunities in Private Club Management

12:01 The Impact of Family and Education on Career

15:09 The Rise of MJ's and Studio 54

18:12 Cocktail Culture and Personal Favorites

20:06 Growing Up in Ithaca: A Unique Perspective

24:03 The Influence of Academic Environment on Success

24:59 The Journey from Bartender to Nightclub Owner

32:13 Secrets to Running a Successful Bar

35:45 The Music Industry and Celebrity Connections

42:23 The Pinnacle of Musical Collaboration

45:33 Transforming the Pussycat Dolls

49:13 Memorable Stories from the Entertainment World

51:55 A Brush with Donald Trump

01:02:04 The Trump Connection: Business and Politics

01:11:32 Reflections on Trump and His Influence

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We have a treat for you today… some terrifyingly funny comedians sharing their hangover horror stories including our very own Joe Bartnick along with fellow funnymen Mark Christopher, Steve Lamm, Freddy Finnerty and David Sadman. A special thank you to David for hosting us at his fabulous new comedy club… the Sadman Comedy Cafe in Boca Raton. 

This episode is sponsored by Anti-Elixr, the first beverage designed to reduce the aftereffects of drinking​: antielixir.com

Find out more about Sadman Comedy here: sadmancomedyproductions.com / @sadmancomedyproductions / @sadmanscp

Follow David Sadman: @david.sadman.180

Follow Joe Bartnick: @mrjoebartnick

Follow Mark Christopher: @markchaha

Follow Freddy Finnerty: @freddyfinnertycomedy

Follow Steve Lamb: @stevelammcomedy

Find out more at: bedtimebarstories.com

As always, tips are welcome: https://bit.ly/BedtimeBarStoriesTipJar

Original theme music by BVDHI: https://www.instagram.com/bvdhi_music

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It's time for part 2 of our 'Summers On The Beach' episode.

Step into a time machine and journey back to the neon-soaked, sun-kissed era of Fort Lauderdale in the 1980s! 🌴☀️ In this captivating podcast, we're taking you on a nostalgic trip through the vibrant and unforgettable moments that defined this iconic city during a truly unforgettable decade.

Meet Alan and Suzanne who used to run the legendary 1980s Fort Lauderdale Bar 'Summers On The Beach' and hear all about the spring breaks of the 80s and go backstage with iconic music acts like Joan Jet.

Find out more at: bedtimebarstories.com

As always, tips welcome: https://bit.ly/BedtimeBarStoriesTipJar

Original theme music by BVDHI: https://www.instagram.com/bvdhi_music

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Step back in time to the electrifying 1980s with our latest episode of Bedtime Bar Stories. Join Gina as she sits down with two legends of the Fort Lauderdale bar scene, Suzanne and Alan, who took the helm at the iconic "Summers on the Beach" bar.

In this episode, we embark on a journey filled with sun, surf, and unforgettable memories as Suzanne and Alan regale us with their incredible stories from the golden age of Fort Lauderdale nightlife. Picture the beach at sunset, the sound of crashing waves, and the warm Florida breeze as we delve into:

Wild Beach Parties: Hear about the wildest and most legendary beach parties that made Summers on the Beach the place to be.

Sun-Kissed Days: Suzanne and Alan paint a vivid picture of the sunny days spent on the shores of Fort Lauderdale, where the fun never stopped.

Iconic Cocktails: Discover the secrets behind the bar's signature cocktails that kept the crowds coming back for more.

The Soundtrack of an Era: Relive the music that defined the 1980s and created the ultimate beach party atmosphere.

Unforgettable Memories: From celebrity encounters to heartwarming stories of friendships formed, Suzanne and Alan share the moments that still bring a smile to their faces.

Whether you're a seasoned spring breaker, a lover of nostalgia, or just in need of a great story, this episode will transport you to a time when life was a beachside party. So grab your virtual beach chair, put on your favorite shades, and tune in to "Summers on the Beach" with Suzanne and Alan, exclusively on Bedtime Bar Stories. 

Subscribe, listen, and let the good times roll! 

Find out more at: bedtimebarstories.com

As always, tips welcome: https://bit.ly/BedtimeBarStoriesTipJar

Original theme music by BVDHI: https://www.instagram.com/bvdhi_music

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.