FULL COMP: The Voice of the Restaurant Industry Revolution Prestige Is Overrated: Jeff Bell on What Actually Keeps a Bar Alive
What if chasing prestige meant sacrificing everything else?
For Jeff Bell, managing partner at the iconic PDT in NYC, bartending has never just been about cocktails—it’s about culture, connection, and the quiet cost of longevity.
In this episode, he shares what 15 years inside one of the world’s most celebrated bars has taught him about endurance, humility, and the evolution of hospitality. We get into why bartending is both beautiful and brutal, how alcohol amplifies more than it numbs, and what makes a bar truly last. This isn’t about kitschy phone booths or speakeasy gimmicks—it’s about the discipline and heart behind enduring relevance.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build something timeless, this is that conversation.
To learn more about PDT and their award-winning cocktail program, visit pdtnyc.com.
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