Bar Hacks

After everything our industry has been through the past few years and the current struggles operators and hospitality professionals continue to face today, it's wise to look for different business models. One model operators should consider (particularly new, independent, and small chain operators) is the food hall. Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt sits down with Rob Lewis, founder of Spiritus Law ,...

We sat down with Richard Patrick, the co-founder of Mississippi's oldest legal distillery. There are two facts you may find surprising about Mississippi. One, the state didn't repeal prohibition fully until 1966. And two, Mississippi didn't get their first legal distillery until 2010. That's the year Richard Patrick and Austin Evans opened the doors of Cathead Distillery and introduced people to t...

Bar Hacks host David Klemt sits down with Roberta Mariani, Global Brand Ambassador for MARTINI. The two discuss a range of topics, including Roberta's journey through hospitality, lessons learned working at some of the best hotels in London and opening Bar Tremini in Soho, the guest experience, aperitivo culture, and more. Roberta and David also discuss why now might be the best time to introduce...

Ah, the wonders of technology. We had planned a different episode for today now that Bar Hacks podcast co-host David Klemt is back from a trip to Colorado and Oktoberfest at Vail. However, we finally experienced the dreaded unsalvageable recording for the first time since the podcast's inception. However, all is not lost! After all, it's still September and that means it's still National Bourbon H...

Ahead of the big ceremony on October 4, Mark Sansom stops by the Bar Hacks podcast to speak with co-host David Klemt about the World's 50 Best Bars . As the content director for the World's 50 Best Bars, Sansom is uniquely qualified to speak about several aspects of arguably the most influential ranking of bars in the world. Sansom speaks about the impressive voting process , moving the World's 50...

Paul Mathew, bartender, bar owner, and founder of Everleaf, sits down with Bar Hacks podcast co-host David Klemt. In this fun and informative episode, Paul shares his journey through bartending and bar ownership, and his entry into the drinks business. Non-alcoholic aperitif brand Everleaf is the culmination of Paul's many years as a conservationist botanist, knowledge of plants, and nearly 30 yea...

It's the 100th episode of Bar Hacks ! We thrilled to bring you our 80th regular episode, which joins 20 bonus episodes. Obviously, we had to bring you an awesome guest to celebrate this milestone and thank all of you for helping make this possible. We sit down and have a great chat with Chef Kayla Robison , the executive chef at Arnold's Bar and Grill in Cincinnati, Ohio. Arnold's is the city's lo...

Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt chats with Chris Parker about Barfly by Mercer , an independent bar tool manufacturer passionate about providing bar professionals with high quality, long-lasting products priced fairly. Parker is the national sales manager at Barfly which means he travels, visits trade shows and bars, and gets feedback directly from bartenders. Like chefs, bartenders, as we know, are...

Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt sits down with Nico Romano , a partner at Spiritus Law , to discuss inflation and recession, negotiating with landlords, contract clauses, and more. Nico the firm’s real estate practice, focusing on the laws governing business and transactional matters, including real estate, financial services, infrastructure and development, hospitality, and public/private partnersh...

Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt sits down with Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockmans Gin . Guy brings over three decades of drinks industry experience to the table, so he was the obvious choice when Brockmans co-founder Neil Everitt was ready to step back from being CEO. This year, Lawrence and the small but dedicated and talented team he leads achieved one million bottles sold worldwide over the span of t...

Jim Taylor, the founder and CEO of BenchmarkSixty , speaks with Bar Hacks co-host David Klemt to talk about the employee experience. As we're all well aware, the hospitality industry is facing a severe labor shortage. Moreover, we're also in the midst of the Great Resignation, inflation, the threat of a recession... In other words, how people view work is changing. Operators must change their lead...

Bar Hacks host David Klemt sits down with Master Blender Andres Faustinelli to learn about new, bold, and innovative Canadian craft whisky brand BEARFACE . Faustinelli shares his journey into distillation and blending, delving into what drew him to Canadian whisky production. Along the way, the BEARFACE master blender shares the details of Triple Oak , One Eleven , and Wilderness Series 01 express...

David Vitale, founder of Starward Whisky , returns from Australia and returns to the Bar Hacks podcast! The Australian whisky producer took home an incredible amount of medals from the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition . David tells host David Klemt what it was like to see the final award tally, how the Starward team reacted, and dove into the mission and vision of Starward Whisky. The...

Susie O. is back! She has a new brand, The Tipple Tourist , and Susie also pops by for an open discussion about an array of topics. Host David Klemt and Susie O. discuss what she's seeing in bars, restaurants and hotels during her recent travels. The two also talk about the importance of reservations for guests and operators, along with operators owning their business profiles on platforms such as...

Kellie Thorn, beverage consultant and spirits educator, and Lola Thomas, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation program director, hop onto the Bar Hacks podcast to discuss a newly announced Tales committee. The TOTCF Grants Committee has undergone significant changes, evolving in its vision, mission, and scope. Thorn, co-chair of the new committee, and Thomas share the new name and crucial details. Addi...

Glendalough Distillery co-founder, national brand ambassador, and bottlewasher Donal O'Gallachoir stops by the Bar Hacks podcast to explain what makes the distillery's whiskey and gin "remarkably different." Irish whiskey's history and heritage spans centuries and was once a global export enjoyed by royalty. Donal shares a few of the circumstances that led to roughly 2,000 registered distilleries...

Doug Radkey, founder of KRG Hospitality, is speaking at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York. To celebrate the return of in-person industry trade shows, we've gathered five Bar Hacks bonus episodes in which Doug discusses operations, branding, leadership qualities, and more. For even more inspiration, insights and advice, pick up Doug's books Bar Hacks and Hacking the Ne...

We're nearing Tax Day, which takes place Monday, April 18 this year. In light of that and the unique tax preparation needs of hospitality professionals, we're revisiting episode 27 of the Bar Hacks podcast: Host David Klemt speaks with Armon Noori, an incredible Las Vegas bartender who also has a finance degree and an entrepreneurial spirit. Armon opened a tax preparation and financial services co...

David Klemt sits down with Jordan and Hanna Bem, the sibling co-founders of Moliving . This unique brand is seeking to democratize the ultra-luxury hotel space through technology, mobility, and a truly unique approach. And in doing so, Moliving is also changing the hospitality real estate space. In this episode you'll hear from the founders as they explain the inspiration that ultimately led to th...

David Allison, founder of The Valuegraphics Project, returns to the podcast to discuss how restaurant operators can target their guests' values to become a more magnetic brand. We're all—every one of us around the world—driven by our values. Operators who identify and speak to their target audience's values significantly increase guest loyalty. In turn, they increase traffic and revenue, positioni...

Dynamic entrepreneurial duo Camila Soriano and Chris Wirth, founders of Volley Tequila Seltzer , drop by the Bar Hacks podcast to share the brand's story and innovations. As you'll hear in this informative episode, Volley isn't just any tequila seltzer—this brand crafts the world's first clean tequila seltzer. Volley is made with 100-percent blue agave tequila, sparkling water, and organic juice—t...

Eileen Wayner, CEO of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation , returns to the Bar Hacks podcast! Eileen shares details of the 20th anniversary of Tales of the Cocktail—taking place this year in New Orleans from July 25 through July 29—including: the Cocktail Apprentice Program (a.k.a. the Red Coats), the return of the Spirited Awards, the Dame Hall of Fame, TOTC's new host hotel, why people who have...

Neil Grosscup, CEO and Master Blender of Tanteo Tequila , stops by the Bar Hacks podcast to tell the story of the only tequila distillery owned by its co-op of agave farmers. Neil shares the Tanteo mission, the six rules he asks team members to adhere to, and the importance the brand places on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. For example, the second annual National Spicy Margari...

David Vitale, founder of Starward Whisky , pops by the Bar Hacks podcast to chat with co-host David Klemt. He shares his journey into whisky distillation and how craft beer brewing plays a significant role. The two also discuss Australian whisky, making inroads throughout North America, and why Starward expressions work so well with food and food programs. In this episode you'll also find out whic...

We're kicking off 2022 and season three of the Bar Hacks podcast with a roundup of five Bar Hacks Bonus episodes from Doug Radkey. These five early bonus episodes will give you the inspiration to change your mindset and improve your leadership skills to set and attain effective, measurable goals this year. For even more inspiration, insights and advice, pick up Doug's books Bar Hacks and Hacking t...