Resurrecting a Lost Bar w Will Pasternak | Bartender at Large ep 491
From Bartender at Large by Bartender at Large Network
March 30, 2026 · 31 min
About this episode
Will Pasternak discusses the evolution of hospitality concepts and the balance between creativity and sustainability in the bar industry.
Join us for a candid and revealing conversation with acclaimed bartender, Will Pasternak, whose resume includes time at the Dead Rabbit and BlackTail in New York. Will shares the story behind BlackTail's recent pop-up and the invaluable insights it provided about how hospitality concepts must evolve to meet today's economic realities. He reflects on the delicate balance between creative ambition and operational sustainability, offering a masterclass in adaptability from someone who has helped define modern cocktail culture. Drawing on his experiences at two of the world's most influential bars, Will discusses how the industry's most innovative minds are rethinking everything from staffing models to guest experience in order to thrive. Sign up for Giffard West Cup 2026 U.S. Cocktail Competition here: https://bit.ly/GWC_ErickC WATCH OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/bartenderatlarge FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Erick Castro: www.instagram.com/HungryBartender Bartender at Large: www.instagram.com/BartenderAtLarge FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: Erick Castro: https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrybartender?_t=ZT-8uBekAKOGwU&_r=1 Bartender at Large: www.tiktok.com/BartenderAtLarge
People in this episode
Host: Bartender at Large
Guest: Will Pasternak
Topics covered
- hospitality
- cocktail culture
- bar management
- economic realities
- staffing models
- guest experience
Keywords
- Will Pasternak
- BlackTail
- Dead Rabbit
- hospitality
- cocktail culture
- bar management
- staffing models
- guest experience
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Dead Rabbit, BlackTail
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