This weeks guest is Richard Beltzer. Richard currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. Richard grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. One of his earliest passions was must. He has playing guitar for over 20 years, learned piano and taught himself drums and guitar. After high school, he earned his degree in Psychology and planned to focus on music therapy. It was while he was in school, that Richard entered the Industry. To pay his way through school, Richard got a job at TGI Fridays. He started off as lunch server and eventually moved up to evening bartender. This move triggered Richard’s interest in cocktails.
While there wasn’t a huge cocktail scene in Anchorage, Richard moved on to an establishment named Ginger specializing in Pacific Rim cuisine. While working at Ginger, Richard and a cohort built the cocktail program to be one of the premier cocktails programs in Alaska. During this time, Richard had done work at various apprentice programs like Tales of the Cocktail, San Antonio Cocktail Conference and Pop in Kansas City.
With a desire to work in a larger market, Richard moved to Chicago, Illinois. Prior to the covid pandemic, Richard was employed as the head bartender at Bad Hunter. Working at Bad Hunter helped turned Richard into the bartender he is today. While at Bad Hunter, they had a true mentorship program - but just like many others - a bar family. ‘Good Drinkers’ is how Richard like to call them! Despite the closure of the bar due to Covid, Richard is still close friends with this group and they continue to be creative as possible. In fact - Richard and a few of this friends are currently working on a cocktail delivery platform to be launching soon.
Awards:
Bad Hunter (Best Restaurant Bar - Timeout)
Punch - Bartender in Residence - May 2020
Spirited Award Nomination - Best Restaurant Bar 2017-2019
Regional Finalist for Bartender of the Year 2016
Tenzing Coupe Bronze Medal
Instagram @beltzerseltzer
Podcast Artwork @zak.hannah