Season Two opens on the Anniversary of the Covid-19 shout down of bars all across the world, and coincides with the decision of the Governor of Texas lifting all restrictions and mask mandates, essentially putting the entire public at risk. This risk is amplified in bars, and we have a fair amount to say on the subject.

This episode channels the rage and frustration felt in the bar community all around the country and funnels it into a recap of where we’re at, a crystal ball looking at where we might be going, and an exploration of the risk, both emotional and physical, of opening too irresponsibility and too soon.

Join our host, Master Bartender Michael J. Neff, in this live-stream podcast. The conversation was recorded on our nightly live stream, which you’ll find on Instagram @thecottonmouthclub, in which we discuss everything bar related with people from all over the world.

The Cottonmouth Club Presents is a podcast on Bars, Bar Culture, Cocktails & Spirits. This is our last episode of the 2020, and we look forward to bringing you more conversations in 2021.

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For those of you who listen to this podcast, you know that we talk a lot about the importance of bars, what they’re for, and what role they play in hosting communities. Few other types of bars show this more starkly than the good ol’ American Dive Bar.

But what is a dive bar? What defines one, and how are they made? These questions aren’t well discussed, but are important as we stand on the brink of a post-pandemic world.

Our host, Master Bartender Michael J. Neff brings on a very special guest for exactly that discussion for this, the final podcast episode of 2020.

World-renowned cocktail historian and veteran dive-bar appreciator, Dr. David Wondrich, is best known as the author of two books that have inspired generations of bartenders and mixologists: “Imbibe” & “Punch.” He was also the storied drinks editor for Esquire Magazine during the heyday of the modern cocktail revival, which has since turned into a movement.

There are few people who know the value of a good dive bar better, and we are honored that Dr. Wondrich came on to discuss them with us.

The nature of the conversation guarantees a lot of ground is covered, but you’ll also end up with a list of great dive bars around the country to visit when the world gets anywhere close to back to normal. If they survive the economic onslaught of this pandemic, they will definitely need your support.

The Cottonmouth Club Presents is a podcast on Bars, Bar Culture, Cocktails & Spirits. This is our last episode of the 2020, and we look forward to bringing you more conversations in 2021.

Weirdo-paced Banjo Music: “Hound Dog Song” & “Old Reuben”

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Training for Mastery takes years of work and dedication, and after a certain point there is no road map in any industry that helps the novice graduate to the journeyman, and the journeyman transform into the master.

In our continuing Bartending Masterclass, host & Master Bartender Michael J. Neff, discusses the different phases of mastery with some of the finest bartenders from around the world. In this episode, we’re talking with Modern Bartender, ms. franky marshall.

This is the second of our two-part conversation with ms. marshall. You can find part one on our web site at https://thecottonmouthclubpresents.com.

Ms. marshall has been a bartender for a hot minute—both before the modern cocktail movement in nightclubs & dive bars around New York, and after at such storied cocktail bars as The Holiday Cocktail Lounge, Clover Club & The Dead Rabbit.

She has also traveled around the world studying spirits, cocktails, and the culture that surrounds them. Her insights in this, the first part of our conversation, are valuable to anyone with an interest in life on either side of the bar.

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