In this episode of Sips & Secrets, we sit down with a seasoned high-volume bartender who’s worked everywhere from Broadway Nashville to Las Vegas. After years behind the bar and in management, we get real about the pressure to manage, the guilt that comes with stepping down, and why not everyone is meant to stay in leadership roles forever.
We talk about what truly makes a great bar manager—listening to ownership and staff—why tipping systems only work when everyone pulls their weight, and how high-volume environments expose both strong and weak leadership fast.
This conversation is for bartenders, servers, managers, and anyone in hospitality who’s ever felt stuck between moving up and protecting their peace.
Connect with Leticia Duarte:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sipssecrets.w.let
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sips.and.secrets/?igsh=dndrYTRyczU0bXNl#
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LeticiaDuartect
Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/28lCiWPFaDXSDEC1y5wHSp
Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sips-secrets-with-leticia-duarte/id1828236650
Connect with Chyna:
TikTok:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Timestamps:00:00 – Customer Stories, Bar Culture & Tipping07:32 – Working Conditions: Nashville vs Vegas14:55 – Bartender Pay, Benefits & Perks22:10 – Social Media, Money & Industry Transparency29:17 – Bartender Management & Career Choices38:18 – The Real Realities of Restaurant Management47:59 – Staff Dynamics & Bartender Schooling53:13 – Faking Experience & Learning Behind the Bar56:36 – Regional Drink Differences & Bar Stories01:02:18 – Bartending War Stories & Drinking Culture01:13:00 – Aging in the Industry & Changing Bar Life01:23:23 – Corporate Influence & Industry Changes01:27:43 – Inside the Vegas Bar Scene & Payouts01:38:24 – Morale, Burnout & Staff Turnover01:52:52 – Restaurant Expansion & Growing Management Teams02:03:13 – Work Ethic, Hiring & Modern Industry Challenges02:14:08 – Accountability, Scheduling & Staff Changes02:21:17 – Final Thoughts & Industry Reflections
#SipsAndSecrets#BartenderPodcast#BartenderLife#BroadwayNashville#HighVolumeBartending#HospitalityPodcast#ServiceIndustry#BarManagement#BartendingCareers#tippingculture
