Bar Hacks

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...

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,...