EPISODE · Aug 1, 2026 · 13 MIN
Three Free Drinks
from $1 is Not Enough · host Steve L
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when 700 guests show up, everyone gets three free drink coupons, two bartenders call out, and nobody tells the bar staff until an hour before the doors open?Chaos.In this episode of $1 Is Not Enough, Steve takes you behind the bar for one of the most exhausting shifts of his career. Nearly $5,000 in complimentary drinks were poured during a VIP grand opening event, leaving six bartenders scrambling to keep up with nonstop orders. After hours of shaking cocktails, changing kegs, restocking bottles, and serving hundreds of guests, the night's payout was just $35.This isn't a story about bad customers. It's a story about poor planning, unrealistic expectations, and the hidden cost of "free" promotions on the people who make them possible.If you've ever worked in hospitality, you'll probably be laughing, shaking your head, or reliving a shift you'd rather forget.In this episode:The reality behind VIP grand opening eventsWhy "free drinks" usually mean more work, not lessHow poor planning impacts bartenders' incomeWhat guests can do to support service staff, even when the drinks are freeThe story behind one unforgettable $35 nightWhether you're a bartender, server, restaurant manager, or just someone who enjoys hearing what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is for you.Pour yourself a drink, preferably one you paid for, and let's get into it.Submit your stories to: [email protected] the show📲 Follow the ShowInstagram: @1dollarisnotenoughFacebook: 1dollarisnotenough🛒 Merchmerch.onedollarisnotenough.comSend Your Stories:Got a coworker who pulled this? We want to hear it. Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram. The best ones get read on a future episode.Support the PodcastEnjoying $1 Is Not Enough? Help keep the drinks flowing and the stories coming. If you want to support the show, you can become a monthly supporter through Buzzsprout. And if you donate $10 or more, I'll give you a shoutout in the next episode as a thank-you for helping keep this thing alive.Support $1 Is Not EnoughBecause apparently, producing a podcast costs more than a dollar.Enjoying the show? Leave a rating and review wherever you're listening. It's one of the fastest ways to help new people find us, and it genuinely makes a difference. Thanks for being here.$1 Is Not Enough is a comedy and commentary podcast about life in the service industry. Listener discretion advised. Some stories ...
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Send us Fan Mail What happens when 700 guests show up, everyone gets three free drink coupons, two bartenders call out, and nobody tells the bar staff until an hour before the doors open? Chaos. In this episode of $1 Is Not Enough, Steve takes you behind the bar for one of the most exhausting shifts of his career. Nearly $5,000 in complimentary drinks were poured during a VIP grand opening event, leaving six bartenders scrambling to keep up with nonstop orders. After hours of shaking cocktail...
Ready to play
Three Free Drinks
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.