Unleash your taste adventure with The Bar Book—where your perfect drink is just a sip away!
Founders of The Bar Book: From Battlefields to Barstools
Some stories start in a boardroom.
Ours started in the barracks — and ended at the bar.
After nearly a quarter-century in uniform, Michael Waskewich and Dolly Gray traded operations orders for cocktail recipes, mission command for mixology, and after-action reports for flavor profiles. Between them, they share over 44 years of military service, numerous deployments, and countless toasts around the world — from dusty outposts to embassy receptions.
But when the uniforms came off, something unexpected happened.
They couldn’t find an app that captured what they loved most about those moments — connection through flavor.
There were rating apps, sure. Review sites, endless lists, and social feeds overflowing with noise.
But nothing that understood what made a great drink personal — the taste, the story, and the people behind it.
So they built one.
The Bar Book began as Michael’s late-night idea during his retirement process:
“If Spotify can learn what music I love… why can’t something learn what I love to drink?”
Dolly, the creative compass of the duo — with a refined palate and an eye for design — shaped the look, feel, and voice of the platform. Together, they turned a simple notebook of tasting notes into a veteran-owned technology company helping users discover drinks they’ll love — not by price tag or popularity, but by flavor match.
Today, The Bar Book is a living, breathing community — a place where distilleries, breweries, and bars can tell their stories, and drinkers can discover new favorites, one pour, one profile, one perfectly matched sip at a time.
It’s more than an app. It’s a salute —
to craftsmanship, to connection, and to the moments worth raising a glass to.
Pour it. Toast it. Make it unforgettable.
That’s The Bar Book.
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Dolly Gray-Waskewich
Dolly Gray is the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of The Bar Book. A practicing attorney with over 25 years of experience and a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Dolly brings her leadership skills and passion for wine and spirits to the forefront of The Bar Book. Combining her legal expertise with her refined palate, Dolly oversees the brand’s image, strategy, and promotion, even creating the app's logo. Alongside her husband and partner, Michael, she leads the development and marketing of The Bar Book, helping users discover personalized drink recommendations through innovative flavor-matching technology. Beyond serving consumers, the app also supports brands with customized pages and real-time analytics to enhance their presence. Dolly’s extensive military background includes key roles in team building, operations, and legal counsel. She holds degrees from Coker University, the University of Kansas School of Law, and the U.S. Army War College, and is admitted to practice law in Kansas, Missouri, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Dolly is also a proud member of the Pink Boots Society, Women of the Vine & Spirits, and other distinguished organizations.
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Michael Waskewich
A retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with nearly 24 years of active service, Michael Waskewich built his career on leadership, precision, and teamwork — qualities that now drive his role as CEO and Co-Founder of The Bar Book. A lifelong spirits enthusiast, Michael blends his passion for discovery with his operational expertise to lead the development, marketing, and strategic growth of this innovative platform.
Working alongside his wife and Co-Founder, Dolly Gray, Michael has helped shape The Bar Book into more than just an app — it’s a movement designed to connect people to drinks they’ll love while empowering small producers to share their stories with the world.
Michael’s dedication to service didn’t end with his military career. He continues to give back through multiple board appointments and by developing a nonprofit organization focused on supporting veteran entrepreneurs within the brewing and distilling industries. His commitment to community and mentorship reflects the same mission-driven spirit that guided his years in uniform.
Whether in the field, the boardroom, or behind the bar, Michael remains dedicated to building strong teams, fostering innovation, and serving others — one pour at a time.
