The Speakeasy

This week on the Speakeasy Damon has on an old friend, Alie Shaper of Brooklyn Oenology . They talk the growing of Greenpoint and Red Hook as well as finding artists for their unique wine labels(they turn into stickers!). Tune is for a refreshing Riesling tasting and more savory wine talk on The Speakeasy. This episode is sponsored by Fairway Market . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

This week on The Speakeasy, the studio is packed with the crew from Bushwick Country Club. Tune in for an especially raucous episode of the best cocktail show on the internet as the guys share drinks, explain what a pickleback is, tell ghost stories and have a good time. This episode was sponsored by Roberta’s . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by the crew at Maharlika, a Filipino “pop up” restaurant that features traditional cuisine and an outstanding cocktail program. Tune in to learn more about Filipino culture and food traditions and hear about some interesting new projects on the horizon from the Maharlika crew including sari-sari stores and more! This episode was sponsored by Cain Five ....

This week’s episode of The Speakeasy sees Damon Boelte sitting down with Steve Schneider of Employees Only, fresh off their award winning weekend at Tales of the Cocktail. Tune in to hear how the crew at Employees Only celebrated being crowned “Best Cocktail Bar in the World”. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by Avery & Janet Glasser of Bittermens Very Small Batch Bitters Company. Tune in to learn more about the history and functionality of bitters in cocktails as Avery and Janet explain how bitters are inherently medicinal and can be used as more than just a bartender tool. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market . See Privacy Policy at https://...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon sits down with Romain Guille, brand rep for Combier USA. Tune in to learn the history of the worlds first triple sec and find out how to best utilize the delicious digestif in your cocktails. Learn how triple sec differs from curacao and how citrus migrated its way to our glasses. This episode was sponsored by The Small Holding Festival . See Privacy Policy at htt...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by Michael McIlroy and Sam Ross of the world renowned members only bar Milk & Honey. They discuss how they found their way to New York and navigated the “cocktail world” and share some tips to class up any bar program. This episode was sponsored by Camp Bacon . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte sits down with St. John Frizell, head of the Red Hook boîte, Fort Defiance. Tune in to learn more about how his personal journey as a bartender and how New Orleans cocktail culture influences John. Also learn what a Sumo Collins is and why David Wondrich approves of it. This episode was sponsored by Just Food . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by Paul Franich, brand rep for 42 Below Vodka. Learn more about the New Zealand-based vodka and how it all started as a DIY operation in a garage! Find out what The Cocktail World Cup is all about and discover why the kiwis know what they’re doing when it comes to drinks! This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery . See Privacy Policy at ht...

Damon Celebrates his 30th birthday on a heady episode of The Speakeasy with friend, bar manager and reggae/dancehall DJ Shane Feirstein. Tune in as they talk about Jamaican rum, Jamaican music and the Jamaican lifestyle while sipping on rum and listening to some great tracks. This episode was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons. For more information visit Surry Farms . See Privacy Policy at...

The studio is packed as Damon & Brian Miller invite from friends from Oslo, Norway to The Speakeasy to remiss on drunken nights, discuss the brilliance of Akvavit and remind listeners that it’s not about what you have but how you use it! This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by Angus Winchester, Global Brand Ambassador for Tanqueray Gin. Damon & Angus share their love for gin over a Negroni and discuss the differences between the Manhattan Cocktail Classic and Tales of the Cocktail events. Tune in to find out what makes a good Gin & Tonic, and why your grandmother might know best when it comes to gin! This episode wa...

This week Damon Boelte invites the team from Santa Teresa Rum to speak about the current rum industry and their new Venezuelan rum products. The main goal of Santa Teresa is to keep the culture and tradition of true rum alive using special brewing techniques to ensure the highest pure quality rum. Watch out for Santa Teresa rum at your local bar! This episode was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards &a...

Ari Form returns to The Speakeasy with a strange strange bottle of Irish Liqueur that tastes like Malibu. What does this mean? You’ll have to listen to find out. Tune in as Damon and Ari talk pick-me-up cocktails, Irish whiskey and more on the best spirits show around. This episode was sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

Things get rowdy on this week’s episode of The Speakeasy as host Damon Boelte hangs out with Employees Only’s wild bartenders Steve Schneider and Vincent Vitek. Steve and Vincent touch on the brotherhood and camaraderie felt amongst bartenders and explain what it’s like working behind a bar with high quality drinks and exceptions that come along with them. Tune in for some ice smashing fun as the...

This week’s guest on The Speakeasy is Frank Cisneros, aka Frankie Cocktails. Frank and Damon discuss how music can influence cocktails and spirits, talk about the decline and rise of Vodka & imagine a post-cocktail bar world. Learn how Frank got started in drinks and find out more about the wonderful world of spirits. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market & Do Something Reel See...

Maxwell Britten is this week’s guest on The Speakeasy. Tune in to hear how he became the Beverage Director and Marketing Manager at Maison Premiere and why he thinks people still want to show themselves a good time even during a recession. Learn more about one of his favorite spirits, absinthe, as Maxwell dispels myths and helps listeners understand how to truly appreciate this drink. This episode...

On today’s episode of The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by Scott Krahn, 1/2 of the American Gin Company. Scott talks about the return of gin, and reminds us that it’s “essentially flavored vodka”. Learn more about gin production, tasting notes and applications and find out why the Averell Damson Gin Liqueur is such a unique product. Sponsored by Fairway Market – like no other market. See Priva...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by former head bartender of Death & Co. Phil Ward, currently of Mayahuel. Phil discusses his interest in agave based spirits and tequila cocktails as well as the past, present and future of agave production in Mexico. Tune in to learn more about the Tequila Interchange Project, a venture dedicated to promoting awareness about the culture of te...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by Nic Cowles of Minibar. Nic talks about the community vibe of Minibar and how it serves as a warm and familiar place for those in the service industry to come relax at after a shift. Tune in to hear why Yelp reviews are hardly helpful and why you might not actually know what a real Manhattan tastes like. This episode was sponsored by Cain Vineya...

Tune into the latest episode of The Speakeasy hosted by Damon Boelte. This week he highlights the United States Bartenders Guild. Tune in and hear from Jason Littrell of The Randolph at Broome & preview guest Nick Jarrett about how the Bartenders Guild helps protect our bar talent and opens an endless amount of networking possibilities for bartenders all over the country. Learn more at www. US...

This week on a special one-hour long episode of The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte sits down and chats with friend and bartending troubadour Nick Jarrett. Nick talks about his experience at Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co and how he successfully managed to split his time equally between NYC & Philly. Tune in to hear stories about Bill Murray, tequilla, hotel room Old Fashioned’s, and a for...

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by Brad Farran of The Clover Club. Brad explains how he went from running a record label in North Carolina to moving to New York to become one of the city’s premier bartenders. Tune in and hear why Brad love cream drinks, how he uses Sherry in creating cocktails and find out the story behind his Midnight to 6 cocktail. This episode was sponsored by Hears...

This week on The Speakeasy Damon is joined by Ian Wolff, Wine & Spirits editor at La Cucina Italiana. They discuss the collaborative nature of writing and the transition from the kitchen to the pen. Tune in and learn how good grappe can derail any conversation and why being behind a bar talking to people everyday is an art in itself. This episode was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons....

This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by Ari Form of the JakeWalk. Ari & Damon discuss everything from Damon’s huge hands to Ari’s time spend at Pluck-U. Tune in and hear more about why a sense of community is so important in Brooklyn and why it’s not always easy to gracefully kick people out of a bar. This episode was sponsored by Fairway Market – like no other market. See Privac...