How Rudy Manzur Went from Barback to Bar Owner: Mistakes, Operations & Running Aftermath NYC

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a criminal justice student trades textbooks for cocktail shakers?Meet Rudy Manzur—Dominican-born, NYC-made, and the owner-operator of Aftermath, a beloved neighborhood bar in Ridgewood, NY.Rudy's path wasn't linear. He came to New York to study at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, worked retail in the hat industry for Disney, traveled the country for events (including a Super Bowl), and never imagined he'd end up behind a bar.Working as a barback at his cousin's beer bar, Rudy learned the ropes—the mistakes, the grind, the beauty of hospitality. He fell in love with the industry. He read every book he could find, absorbed wisdom from seasoned bartenders, and took a leap most people only dream about: he opened his own bar.Now, Rudy runs Aftermath—a space where community, craft, and authenticity collide.This is a story about taking risks, learning on the job, and creating something meaningful from scratch.If you’re into hospitality industry insights,  this episode is for you! 🎙️ Bar Talking Talking Bar – Real stories from real people in hospitality.Subscribe for more honest conversations with bartenders, bar owners, and industry legends.📍 New episodes every week.Explore Rudy's world:Instagram:@MONSIEURMANZUR @AFTERMATH.NYCFollow Our Podcast 👇🏽IG @bartalkingtalkingbarnycTikTok @bttbnycpodcast🌎 https://bartalkingtalkingbarnyc.com🚨 COMMENT TO HELP US GROW🚨LIKE & SHARE  to boost engagement, increase reach, and build community!🎧 🔊 📻 Listen the Episode On:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicPodcast IndexOvercastPodcast AddictCastroCastboxPodchaserPlayer FMGoodpodsTrueFansSUPPORT  THE  SHOW  🫶🏼 DONATIONS 💳💰 👇🏽https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526003/supporters/newhttps://buymeacoffee.com/bartalkingtalkingbarnycEvery donation makes a difference and keeps this project thriving.Inquiries please reach out to Nury Robles at:📧 [email protected] podcast is designed for listeners aged 21 and over, or where the legal drinking age permits.Support the showThis podcast is designed for listeners aged 21 and over, or where the legal drinking age permits.  You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@BarTalkingTalkingBar-z8pIG https://www.instagram.com/bartalkingtalkingbarnyc/Follow, Like, Share, Comment and Subscribe