Send us a text

In this episode of the "Bottoms Up" podcast, Joshua Davis interviews Aaron Sparks, focusing on Aaron's journey from the music industry to becoming a prominent figure in the bartending world. They discuss the importance of black creatives telling their stories and Aaron's challenges in transitioning from a traditional job to bartending, emphasizing the significance of education and branding in establishing a successful mobile bartending service. Aaron shares his experiences with business planning, the impact of his unique marketing strategy involving his hairstyle, and the role of industry events like Camp Runamok and Portland Cocktail Week in his professional growth. The conversation also touches on the importance of collaboration over competition among black men in the industry and the need for accountability and mental health awareness. The episode concludes with light-hearted discussions on cultural topics and Aaron's upcoming retirement from the bartending scene.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

J’Nai Angelle, is a bartender and cocktail & spirits educator who is recognized as "NOLA’s favorite virtual bartender" by Where Y’at NOLA Magazine and “NOLA’s Finest Bartender by Essence magazine. A proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, she holds a degree from LSU and brings over a decade of bartending expertise to the table. Her journey spans various bar settings, from college and dive bars to fine dining establishments and dessert bars. Along the way, she's competed in prestigious bartending events such as the NOLA Bourbon Fest Bourbon Brawl, Espolon Cocktail Fights, and Speed Rack. Most recently, my cocktail “Seafood on a Saturday” was featured in Essence magazine and the cocktail book “A Quick Drink.”

She and Josh sat down to talk about all this and more! Like, subscribe and download on all streaming platforms

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

Turning Tables is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans. It is dedicated to transforming the hospitality industry by providing mentorship, cultivating leadership, and creating career pathways while advocating for equity. Their vision is to establish a hospitality sector in New Orleans and beyond that is a model of inclusivity, diversity, and equity.

Two-thirds of the leadership team at Turning Tables, Toure (@alovesupreme) and Ariel (@leiraknowscocktails), sat down with Josh for a lively conversation filled with laughter, valuable advice, and essential information about New Orleans!

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

Keyatta Mincey Parker is a prominent figure in the spirits and cocktails industry, serving as the Chief Curating Officer at Pictures and Cocktails LLC. With over two decades of experience in hospitality, which includes hotels, fine dining, and clubs, she made a successful transition from modeling to mixology. Her creativity and ability to engage with guests have truly set her apart in the field. Keyatta has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Bartenders in the South by Thrillist and Tastemakers, and her expertise has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, Food & Wine, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Recently, she sat down for a candid conversation with Josh @MrMixologist. They discussed her experiences growing up in Liberia, the challenges of being a young parent in the hospitality industry, personal growth, friendships, and even debated New Edition versus Boyz II Men, among other topics!

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

Lavell (@thebartwinders) and Mr. Mixologist had a great conversation about building oneself up in the industry, Black fathers, Lavell's rap career, and even got a taste of African Agave . Tune in and enjoy this candid discussion.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

Mark Coulter is a Chicago-based industry professional and bartender who has worked in several award-winning bars. He is WSET Level 2 certified and has served as a Red Coat in the CAPS program for Tales of the Cocktail. Mark has generously offered his time for many years in leadership roles at Camp Runamok and currently serves on the board for the Chicago chapter of the USBG. Through his contributions and participation in competitions, Mark has had the opportunity to travel abroad to enhance his knowledge. He is passionate about sharing this knowledge and resources with his community.

Join Mark and Mr. Mixologist as they take a trip down memory lane—from Camp Runamok to the golden era of Chicago, to their shared love for sneakers, Cognac, and more!

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with one of the most engaging figures in and out of the beverage industry, Jackie Summers. He is a James Beard Finalist, a seasoned public speaker, and a serial entrepreneur. Summers is the founder of JackFromBrooklyn Inc. and the creator of the award-winning Sorel Liqueur. In this episode, we're going to "church," as Jack shares valuable insights on a range of topics! From Black men's health to entrepreneurship, hip hop, and basketball, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist

Send us a text

Tiffanie Barriere, known as "The Drinking Coach," is a prominent figure in the Black creative community and a staple in the bartending world. Originally from Louisiana and now based in Atlanta, Tiffanie has earned her place as a bar royalty in her own right as an independent bartender. She is recognized for her innovative cocktail menus and has worked with various bar consultancy clients, while also hosting mixology classes nationwide. Tiffanie skillfully connects culinary and farm culture with the world of spirits.

As a leader in the industry, she serves on the Tales of the Cocktail Philanthropy & Development Committee and has recently been appointed as the US Chair at Tales of the Cocktail. Tiffanie has also been featured in television, film, and books. In a conversation with Mr. Mixologist, she shared insights on a variety of topics, including their meeting, their collaborative work, the importance of legal representation in the industry, and much more.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist