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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