Maria Cabrero actually started bartending as a little girl... for her family! Now she is a co-owner of Cocomama Tiki Room in Cozumel, Mexico, one of several spots she currently or previously owned, including a beach front music venue. Coming from a house full of hosts and entertainers, you could say that bartending is in her blood, as was managing bands. She trained in Italy and brought that style of service back to Mexico, while immersing herself in classic tiki cocktail books so she could offer tropical drinks in her tropical paradise. Check out her Top 10(ish) playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41S9I1sNeQvPt08cDRW1Lm?si=6726814066ae4898

Michael Stelzner made the pandemic move to Cincinnati and started working at Tiki Tiki Bang Bang. Now he owns the place! A Bay Area kid born with a love of tiki culture and music, he worshipped the Beatles just as much as My Chemical Romance and his parents took him to legendary SF tiki bars as soon as he was legal. He did a stint at Omaha's Laka Lono Rum Club as well as a spot in Lincoln considered for a James Beard award, which made him put aside playing in pop punk bands for a bit. He discusses bringing tiki back to Cincinnati, DJing emo nights, LGBTiki, and more on this episode. Check out his playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4X9NuxAxDZ20ENEHJEBNsB?si=47a19a37578749a5

Nikki Schultz of Los Angeles' Thunderbolt has found synergy in making music, crafting cocktails, and activism, which all have taught her lessons in how to give herself and others emotional space. (A revelatory stint in the funeral arrangement industry brought similar wisdom.) From her start in Minneapolis dive bars and music venues to a period creating drinks in a changing Seattle, she found herself arriving in LA to not only see what it could offer her, but what she could offer it. Turns out becoming part of an award winning bar team was just the beginning. Check out her playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3gokXIdRcj6SKdfQqhLfeR?si=5cb8772588634c3e