Carl and Riley explore the world of restaurant and bar antics, discussing the old-age scam of complaining for freebies and the complexities of tip pooling. They also explore a story about an audacious attempt to demand free meals and reflect on their own experiences with similar situations. The episode also delves into the controversial practice of tip pooling between disparate business sections, offering insights into the challenges and fairness of such a system. The lively conversation combine...
May 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 87
Carl and Riley dive into intriguing stories from the service industry, discussing the challenges faced by bartenders and servers. From dealing with problematic customers to navigating racial bias and personal values, they explore two intense narratives: a bartender's discomfort serving a known Nazi and a woman confronting racial stereotyping during a restaurant outing. The episode highlights the importance of professionalism, management support, and maintaining personal integrity. Join Carl and ...
Apr 19, 2025•25 min•Ep. 86
Join Carl and Riley as they welcome Anton, the owner of Lone Wolf Kingston, a vintage-style cocktail bar in Hudson Valley. Dive into tales of mixology mishaps, shifting cocktail trends, and unique customer experiences, including the saga of the “worst Negroni ever.” The trio discusses ethical dilemmas in cocktail crafting, the evolving drinking culture, and the art of leaning into negative reviews with humor. Discover the fine line between creativity and authenticity in the bar scene while gaini...
Apr 05, 2025•33 min•Ep. 85
Carl and Riley, seasoned bartenders, delve into the unpredictable world of the service industry. They share tales of demanding customers and amusing situations, rating stories from mundane to extraordinary. The episode discusses customer etiquette and highlights how establishments handle outside food policies and the irksome habit of customers telling staff to smile. With real-life anecdotes and listener-submitted stories, Carl and Riley offer a candid look at the challenges and quirks of workin...
Mar 29, 2025•21 min•Ep. 84
Carl and Riley, with their combined 16 years of hospitality experience, dive into amusing and challenging tales from the service industry in this episode. They discuss bartending mishaps, including crafting unconventional drinks and customer inquiries about cocktail alcohol content. The duo shares insights on the importance of precise bartending techniques, like chilling martini glasses and providing sanitized straws, while also addressing workplace challenges and disruptions in hospitality stan...
Mar 21, 2025•46 min•Ep. 83
Riley and Carl delve into challenging issues in the hospitality industry, highlighting women bartenders' experiences with sexism and unwelcome touching. They discuss the importance of having supportive colleagues and the growing trend of cashless restaurants, driven by safety and efficiency concerns. Carl shares insights from years in the industry, while Riley emphasizes the need for setting boundaries and respecting personal space. They conclude by reflecting on changing industry norms and offe...
Mar 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 82
Join Carl and Riley as they delve into the intriguing world of bartending, exploring wild customer interactions, bartenders' reputations, and the challenges of managing awkward workplace situations. This episode tackles misconceptions about dating bartenders, including stereotypes of flirtation and infidelity. Additionally, they address unique managerial dilemmas like handling a coworker's constant flatulence. Carl and Riley share insights on navigating relationships and maintaining professional...
Mar 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 81
Carl and Riley return after a break to share amusing and perplexing tales from the service industry. They discuss an overworked restaurant employee frustrated by performance punishment and dive into a bewildering story involving a cook using coworkers to cover up an affair. Amid the laughter and insights, they explore themes of work-life balance and the complexity of workplace dynamics in hospitality. Carl and Riley, without guests, offer a lively discussion exploring these real-life scenarios w...
Mar 01, 2025•24 min•Ep. 80
Carl and Riley share intriguing stories from the service industry, exploring wild customer encounters and unexpected moments. They discuss a dramatic life-saving event involving CPR and the Heimlich maneuver at a restaurant, emphasizing the importance of first aid training. Another heartwarming tale involves a bar owner aiding a stranger with food and phone charging, leading to a reunion three years later. This episode blends humor, introspection, and touching stories of kindness and humanity in...
Dec 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 79
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 engaging stories, this episode promises a mix of laughs, insights, and real-life bar drama. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyo...
Nov 16, 2024•59 min•Ep. 78
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 antics of underage patrons. Alongside this madness, they explore the intricacies of serving at bustling bars and managing unexpected chaos. Get ready for ...
Nov 08, 2024•43 min•Ep. 77
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 etiquette. Additionally, they discuss dealing with challenging regulars, particularly an "energy vampire" named Greg, whose antics provide both frust...
Nov 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 76
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 efficiency and morale. With a mix of humor and insight, Carl and Riley rate each story, reflecting on personal experiences and the value of teamwork in a fa...
Oct 25, 2024•25 min•Ep. 75
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 revelation on a supposed 21st birthday. As they explore these incidents, they offer personal insights and humorous commentary, all while sipping on aged can...
Oct 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 74
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 the power of saying no to embracing mistakes and fully immersing myself in the day-to-day grind, I’m giving you the inside scoop. Throughout my journ...
Sep 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 73
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 discussions on how these situations were handled, the legal implications, and the bizarre behavior people exhibit. Packed with insights, humor, and the occas...
Sep 20, 2024•21 min•Ep. 72
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 the evolving bar culture. Amidst their lively banter, they prepare for the Iowa Podcast Awards and hint at exciting upcoming episodes with a special gue...
Sep 13, 2024•23 min•Ep. 71
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 competitors and reflects on his journey and achievements. Perfect for cocktail enthusiasts and industry professionals looking for insider tips and engaging ...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 70
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 competition strategy. They also discuss the camaraderie within the bartending community and the life-changing potential of such prestigious contests. Plus, ...
Aug 24, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 69
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 term “alphas.” They analyze these scenarios with a blend of humor and insight, reflecting on industry challenges and human behavior. Tune in for relatabl...
Aug 02, 2024•24 min•Ep. 68
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 bartender practices, offering insights and humor for industry insiders and curious listeners. Don't miss this mix of cautionary tales and behind-the-...
Jul 26, 2024•24 min•Ep. 67
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 on service life, and a shoutout to their sponsor, The Pork Tornadoes. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartat...
Jul 12, 2024•19 min•Ep. 66
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 is worth it. They also ponder the ethics of under-the-table payments and the importance of employee benefits. Join them for a candid conversation abo...
Jun 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 65
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 jargon, the importance of communication, and the dilemma of finding love while maintaining a demanding job. This episode offers a blend of humor and ...
Jun 21, 2024•17 min•Ep. 64
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 educate and entertain listeners about the do's and don'ts of the hospitality scene. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouw...
Jun 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 63
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 asking the right questions. Tune in to hear their candid analysis and join the conversation by sharing your own experiences and local pricing insight...
Jun 07, 2024•16 min•Ep. 62
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 respectful dialogue and the benefits of providing feedback to help improve the overall dining experience. Tune in for entertaining anecdotes and valuable in...
Jun 01, 2024•37 min•Ep. 61
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 leave a new server alone to handle a busy night, prompting the server to quit on the spot. The hosts emphasize the need for better planning and manag...
May 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 60
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 responsibly. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/doyouwanttostartatab Give Us a Call and Leave a Story - (563) 277-0072 Su...
May 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 59
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 the stories and provide their insights. Grab a drink and listen to these wild tales from behind the bar. Drop Your Story on Our Sub Reddit - https://w...
Apr 06, 2024•47 min•Ep. 58
