Bar Hacks

We're excited to have Elise Cordell back for our first-ever in-person podcast recording, with all-new equipment. This episode is probably the closest thing you'll get to a Master Class in luxury wines considering the amount of information Elise is able to share in such a short period of time. Elise and David discuss still and sparkling wines within the Pernod Ricard portfolio, an actual definition...

Dragos grew up in Romania idolizing the legendary Pelé, moved to America at the age of 18 and attended the University of Washington, and finally visited Pelé's home country of Brazil. He fell in love with the country, its people, and the culture. Eventually, the entrepreneurial Dragos would found Novo Fogo Cachaça , becoming a part of the local community of producers and an advocate for Brazil, or...

Whiskey expert, spirits judge, and sommelier Theo Rutherford stops by the Bar Hacks podcast to talk about Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon , a prominent addition to the Deutsch Family of wine and spirits. Theo shares the Bib & Tucker brand story, what sets the brand apart from other bourbons, and why the 6 Year expression appeals to all categories of whiskey drinkers. He also shares tips f...

Ivy Mix returns to the Bar Hacks podcast with Conor McKee, a partner in her off-premise endeavor FIASCO Wine and Spirits. Mix, McKee and third partner Piper Kristensen signed FIASCO's lease a month before the pandemic halted life as we knew it in its tracks. So, they spent the next several months doing demolition and renovation. This conversation highlights the importance of partnering with the ri...

Código 1530 not only has an intriguing story, the brand values authenticity and heritage. Company mixologist Collin De Laval stops by the Bar Hacks podcast to share the Código 1530 story with co-host David Klemt. The two discuss Código's notable past, handmade approach to their entire production process, innovative products, unique foray into mezcal, shooting high-end spirits, and more. Connect...

Maxime Lecocq, Pernod-Ricard USA Prestige sales manager for Las Vegas, comes by the Bar Hacks podcast to discuss the explosion in popularity of luxury spirits. Luxury, premium and ultra-premium spirits and wines have been growing in demand steadily for the past several years. Maxime shares tips for working with brand and portfolio reps, which categories are seeing the most consumer interest, notab...

Hospitality and entertainment don't just have parallels, they're inextricably connected. Co-host David Klemt chats with Jennifer Romas, founder, producer, and choreographer of—and performer in—Las Vegas revue Sexxy the Show . Performers and hospitality professionals have a lot in comon, not least of which is the passion that drives them to do what they do. Jennifer is deepening her connection to h...

Speed Rack co-founders Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero come on the podcast to talk about breast cancer awareness and the role the all-female high-speed bartending competition plays in raising money for breast cancer research . Mix and Marrero also share their thoughts on nurturing work cultures that promote women, creating venues that are safe for female guests and staff, how to approach mentorship,...

Friend of the Bar Hacks podcast Chef Brian Duffy returns to talk about opening concepts during the labor crisis, the incentive economy as it relates to recruiting and retaining staff, transparency in leadership and sharing numbers to motivate team members, and treating staff better. Chef Duffy and host David Klemt also discuss food cost increases, themes and menu development, succeeding with to-go...

Lynn House, national spirits specialist and portfolio mixologist for Heaven Hill, drops by Bar Hacks to speak with host David Klemt about the second annual Old Fashioned Week . Elijah Craig is seeking to raise at least $100,000 for the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation , an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. Lynn and David also discuss b...

KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey shares a real-world example that illustrates the importance of staff empowerment , respecting all roles in your organization equally, and clear communication. An empowered staff can assess situations, target problems, and resolve them quickly and smoothly without involving other team members.

Following a milestone like episode 50 is a tough ask but we have the perfect guest for episode 51. Restaurant and bar marketing guru Matt Plapp drops in on the Bar Hacks podcast to share the tips, tactics and strategies that every operator—regardless of experience level or category—needs to implement to supercharge their marketing efforts. The two also discuss his latest book, Restaurant Marketing...

Episode 50! The only way to celebrate such a big milestone is with an incredible guest. We're excited to bring you Travis Tober of Nickel City and Old Pal . Travis and his partners opened the first Nickel City in Austin in 2017. The Forth Worth location opened its doors during the pandemic in October 2020. Travis then opened Old Pal in Lockhart, TX, just a few months ago. In our 50th episode, Trav...

Meet the man who helped Bob Peters light his Garage Bar! Cinematographer Brooks Quinn comes by Bar Hacks to share lighting hacks that will make your photos and videos look professional. Brooks reveals simple money-saving lighting tips and tricks for food and beverage photography and videography; tips for those who want to invest in professional-grade equipment; how to find and hire a pro to take p...

Hurricane Ida has devastated the South, the destruction reaching up through the Northeast. Tales of the Cocktail CEO Eileen Wayner shares how people can help the city of New Orleans and the hospitality professionals who work and live there. These resources include: Turning Tables , Another Round, Another Rally , World Central Kitchen , Imagine Water Works , and House of Tulip . Eileen Wayner and N...

Tales of the Cocktail CEO Eileen Wayner drops by the Bar Hacks podcast with TOTC board member and operator Neal Bodenheimer. This year's upcoming Tales is a hybrid digital/in-person event taking place September 20-23 . Attendees can expect not only informative education sessions and brand activations but also new elements such as the reinvented Spirited Awards and the all-new Diversity Distilled C...

The legend, the icon, the one and only Tony Abou-Ganim stops by Bar Hacks to chat with co-host David Klemt. The two discuss this year's Helen David Relief Fund at the USBG Foundation fundraising events, Helen David and the Brass Rail's legacy, current drink trends, and more. On September 13, Bally's Atlantic City is hosting a 25-mile bike ride to benefit the Helen David Relief Fund that culminates...

The founder of the Valuegraphics Project , David Allison, stops by Bar Hacks to speak with co-host David Klemt about changing how we view the world. Valuegraphics, as the name suggests, studies what we value as humans, going well beyond stereotypical demographics and psychographics. The findings are fascinating and can truly help restaurant, bar and hotel operators understand their guests, what th...

One of the defining elements of the KRG Hospitality process that sets us apart is our in-depth, hands-on feasibility study. This type of study is crucial for several reasons, which KRG president Doug Radkey explains in this insightful bonus episode.

Revered bar pro Bob Peters swings by the Bar Hacks podcast to chat with co-host David Klemt about a wide array of topics: his love-hate relationship with the words "pivot" and "layered"; lessons learned over more than two decades behind the bar; hiring and training bar staff; how he always seems to have the coolest new bar equipment, including the new Ripples 2.0 and Stündenglass gravity smoker; B...

Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt speaks with Ralph James, general manager of Larry Flynt's Hustler Club Las Vegas. One of the leaders in the gentlemen's club space, this Vegas venue is where previous guest Alexis Monroe ( episode 42 ) is a VIP bartender and feature performer. Ralph shares the struggles Hustler Club Las Vegas faced during the height of the pandemic, hiring for staff and management, th...

When Zechariah Lord moved on from his professional football career (he played in the NFL, XFL and AFL), he entered Las Vegas nightlife. Now, he's a partner and the Chief Marketing Officer of upscale and award-winning cannabis dispensary Jardín in Las Vegas. Zechariah and Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt discuss the cannabis industry's many challenges—including taxes and finances—as well as opportunit...

Want to build a badass team? A crucial step is effective onboarding, and a vital element of that process is the Seven Cs. KRG Hospitality president and Bar Hacks co-host Doug Radkey explains each of the Seven Cs and how they'll help you build a winning team. It's interesting how if you take the time to put systems in place and hire the right people, many operational and labor issues seem to disapp...

How often do you discuss finances with your employees? As an operator or manager, an important element of leadership is making sure your team members know about saving money and paying taxes. That's just one topic co-host David Klemt and guest Alexis Monroe discuss on this episode. The two also talk about Alexis featuring dancing at some of the biggest gentlemen's clubs in Las Vegas and across the...

Why should anyone want to work for you? Doug Radkey , president of KRG Hospitality , addresses the labor shortage, putting a stop to using the pandemic as an excuse for struggling to fill jobs, and the disservice you're doing to yourself with generic job ads. Doug provides tips for supercharging your job listings, winning the war for talent, creating an onboarding process, and building a diverse a...