Bartender at Large

What happens when your dream project becomes your darkest hour? Join us for a raw and unflinching conversation with Trevor Frye, renowned bartender, consultant and entrepreneur who watched his lifelong dream of opening his own bar spiral into a psychological and financial nightmare. Trevor holds nothing back as he recounts the cascade of setbacks—from delays and budget mishaps to partnerships fracturing un...

What does it take to build a multi-state bar empire while staying true to your roots? Join us for a masterclass in hospitality entrepreneurship with *ravis Tober, the bartender-turned-owner behind Texas's beloved Nickel City chain, Murray's Tavern, Old Pal, and a growing portfolio of distinctive concepts.

Travis shares the hard-won wisdom from opening his first venue in 2017 to now operating over a dozen properties across Texas an...

What does it mean to truly innovate while honoring centuries of tradition? Join us as we explore the future of spirits with Alexandre Gabriel, the award-winning Master Blender and visionary distiller behind iconic brands like Plantateray Rum, Citadelle Gin, and Maison Ferrand Cognac. In a conversation dedicated to innovation, Alexandre draws from his deep reverence for history and relentless curiosity to explain how he pushes the b...

Join us as we pull up a stool with one of hospitality's most decorated figures, Bobby Hiddleston, the award-winning bartender behind the scenes of many of the World's #1 bars. With over two decades of experience shaping the scenes in Edinburgh, New York, and London, Bobby reveals the philosophy he's bringing to his latest and most personal venture: Sally's Cocktail Bar at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel. He shares the enchanting origi...

Join us for a captivating journey through the fields and distilleries of Mexico with Francisco Terrazas, Executive Director of the Tequila Interchange Project and co-founder of Paranubes Oaxacan Rum. We follow his path from the craft cocktail bars of Tucson, Arizona, to the heart of the agave world as the former General Manager of Houston's renowned mezcalería, The Pastry War. Francisco shares his deep div...

How does an arcade video game passion project become a national phenomenon? Join us for an in-depth conversation with Paul Kermizian, CEO and co-founder of Barcade, the pioneering company that invented the retro arcade bar concept in 2004. He reveals the accidental success story of a Williamsburg hobby that proved the simple, powerful appeal of pairing classic 80s arcade games with American craft beer, thus creating a social hub fo...

Join us for a conversation with Kim Grilc, bartender and co-founder of Kobe Japan's acclaimed tiki bar, The Kazan Room. As a three-time national finalist in prestigious competitions like the Tokyo International Bar Show and Diageo World Class, she is one of the only foreign-born women to compete at this level in Japan. We explore her journey of balancing high-level craft with Tiki's vibrant spirit, a style...

Ever wonder what professional whiskey tasters actually smell? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Edwin Cruz, West Coast American Whiskey Ambassador for the historic Beam Distilling Company, as he guides us through his acclaimed sensory class, Know Your Nose. Edwin pulls back the curtain on the science and art of spirits evaluation, teaching us how to move beyond simple tasting notes to truly understand and articulate the c...

Join us for a journey to the forefront of modern mixology with Craig Schoettler, the acclaimed Executive Director of Beverage for MGM Resorts International. We trace his remarkable path from pioneering the culinary cocktails at Chicago's famed Alinea and The Aviary to now shaping the global beverage vision for a Las Vegas hospitality empire. Schoettler pulls back the curtain on his most ambitious project yet: The Vault, a hidden ba...

Join us for a deep and surprisingly poignant dive into one of Chicago's most infamous cultural icons with award-winning journalist Josh Noel. As the author of "Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit," Noel unravels the complex history of the intensely bitter spirit that is both a local rite of passage and a national curiosity. He brings his signature depth as a longtime Chicago Tribune reporter to explore how a drin...

Grab a seat and a cheap drink as we pull up a stool with San Francisco staple, Broke-Ass Stuart (aka Stuart Schuffman), to discuss his new book, The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart: 20 Years of Love, Death, & Dive Bars. For two decades, his writing has captured the city's soul—from protest marches and political campaigns to bleary-eyed mornings and heartbroken nights—with the wit and grit of a true working-class champion. This collection...

Pull up a chair for a spirited lesson in modern history with Dr. Steven Parissien, historian and Oxford fellow, as he discusses his captivating new book, *Another Round: A Post-War History of Britain in Twelve Strong Drinks. He makes the point that the nation's social and cultural shifts, from postwar austerity to postmodern plurality, can be traced through the rise and fall of its iconic cocktails. From the gin and tonic's imperia...

Step behind the bar with bartender powerhouse, Karla Flores-Mercado, an award-winning bartender, consultant, and Beverage Director for Park Hospitality. As the co-owner of LA's beloved Bar Flores, she delves into creating its vibrant, community-focused atmosphere and celebrated craft cocktails. Karla shares her journey through the industry and the philosophy behind her innovative beverage programs that have captured national attent...

Join us for a masterclass in cocktails as we sit down with the award-winning duo behind Philadelphia's Almanac bar, Danny Childs, the James Beard Award-winning author and ethnobotanist, and Rob Scott, head bartender. Danny shares the story of founding the "Slow Drinks" movement, a field-to-glass philosophy that uses hyper-seasonal, foraged, and preserved ingredients to create a truly local expression. Rob discusses how he masterful...

Today we are joined by Tim McKirdy, former Managing Editor of VinePair and host of Cocktail College. He discusses his new venture as co-founder of the independent podcast network, The Coaster. Tim shares the vision behind this new project and its first show, "Sauced." This weekly podcast, created with Sother Teague, explores the world of cooking with booze and drinking with food. Listen to learn about building an independent media ...

This week we sit down with Ryan Ota, the Director of Beverage Operations for MO-hospitality, known for bars like Paper Plane, Still OG / Alter Ego, and Mini Boss. He shares his experience running acclaimed craft cocktail programs in overlooked markets. Ryan discusses the unique advantages and challenges of building a bar scene outside of major hubs. He offers valuable insights into creating community and f...

This week, we are joined by acclaimed writer and cocktail historian David Wondrich, to discuss his newest book, the illustrated "The Comic Book History of the Cocktail." David shares why he chose this unique format to tell the story of drinks. As a James Beard Award-winner and editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails, he brings deep expertise to the topic. Listen in for a fascinating look at cocktail history from a t...

Today we sit down with two leaders in agave spirits education, David Alan, Director of Advocacy for the Agave Spirits Portfolio at Bacardi USA, and Rob McCaughey, Global Head of Business Development at WSET. David shares how his program was built to support bartenders and grow the entire agave category, while Rob explains the unique structure of the Agave Masters program and what makes it a standout educational experience. Together...

This week we are joined by Kaitlyn Stewart, the 2017 World Class Bartender of the Year, also know as the social media phenomenon @LikableCocktails. She discusses her new book, "Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways." Kaitlyn explains the unique format, which presents recipes as classics, creative riffs, and zero-proof sips. She shares why this inclusive approach is the future of modern drink-making. She also discusses her journey from...