Celebrating Rum w Bryan the Rum Champion | Bartender at Large ep 488
Release Date: 03/09/2026
Talking NA Liqueurs w Camille Vidal | Bartender at Large ep 490
Bartender at Large
Join us for a deep dive into the mindful drinking movement with acclaimed bartender and cocktail consultant, Camille Vidal, a leading voice in the world of non-alcoholic beverages. Camille shares how the category has evolved from basic soda water and juice into sophisticated, spirit-free cocktails that hold their own alongside traditional drinks. She breaks down the best practices for elevating the non-alcoholic experience, from proper glassware and garnishes to creative techniques like using diverse sweetening agents beyond simple syrup. The conversation also explores the smart business case...
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Revamping a Dive Bar w Toby Maloney & Monique King | Bartender at Large ep 489
Bartender at Large
What happens when two James Beard Award-caliber talents breathe new life into a 1970s dive bar? Join us for a conversation with acclaimed chef Monique King and legendary bartender Toby Maloney as they take us inside the revival of The Elbow Room, a beloved Vancouver, Washington watering hole they rescued from the brink of disaster. King shares the story of discovering the crumbling space and partnering with Maloney—a friend since their Chicago days in the '90s—to give it new purpose. Maloney reveals his philosophy behind creating an approachable "low touch" cocktail program that delivers...
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Celebrating Rum w Bryan the Rum Champion | Bartender at Large ep 488
Bartender at Large
Join us for a conversation with Bryan Inman, better known as The Rum Champion, a bartender, educator, and community builder who has made it his mission to celebrate the world's most diverse and misunderstood spirit. Bryan shares the origin story of the Rum Curious Club, which began as casual rum parties with friends and has now grown to over 2,100 members hosting events across California. He also shares the inspiration behind the Rum Curious Summit, an annual gathering that brings together attendees and dozens of rum producers for tastings, seminars, and celebration. From tasting over 1,500...
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Entrepreneurship w Ryan Maybee | Bartender at Large ep 487
Bartender at Large
What does it take to resurrect a pre-Prohibition whiskey brand while building one of America's most celebrated cocktail bars? Join us for a deep dive into the business of hospitality with Ryan Maybee, the Kansas City entrepreneur behind the legendary speakeasy Manifesto and the historic revival of J. Rieger & Co. Ryan pulls back the curtain on the operational realities of navigating federal regulators, raising capital for a distillery, and the five-year grind to bring a 100-year-old brand back from the dead. He shares hard-won lessons on partnership structures, the discipline of knowing...
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The Bar That Almost Broke Him w Trevor Frye | Bartender at Large ep 486
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 under pressure—that brought him to the brink of ruin. He opens up about the toll it took on his mental health, the isolation and stress, and the moment he had to confront whether walking...
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Entrepreneurship w Travis Tober | Bartender at Large ep 485
Bartender at Large
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 and beyond, all while maintaining a "neighborhood bar" ethos. He reveals his philosophy that "we're in the entertainment business, not the bar business," explaining...
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Spirits Innovation w Alexandre Gabriel | Bartender at Large ep 484
Bartender at Large
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 boundaries of what a spirit can be. He reveals the creative alchemy behind developing entirely new categories, perfecting forgotten techniques, and finding...
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Talking Cocktails w Bobby Hiddleston | Bartender at Large ep 483
Bartender at Large
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 origin story of its name—a tribute to Sally Lippman, the beloved Studio 54 regular who danced into her seventies and embodied freedom and joy. Bobby connects that...
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The Tequila Interchange Project w Francisco Terrazas | Bartender at Large ep 482
Bartender at Large
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 dive into advocacy and production, from his time as Brand Ambassador for Mezcal Vago to co-founding one of Mexico’s pioneering craft rum brands. He reveals the story behind Paranubes—a...
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Barcade CEO & Co-Founder Paul Kermizian | Bartender at Large ep 481
Bartender at Large
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 for two dedicated communities. Paul breaks down the operational wisdom behind the brand, detailing their unique ownership of over 1,200 vintage games and an in-house...
info_outlineJoin us for a conversation with Bryan Inman, better known as The Rum Champion, a bartender, educator, and community builder who has made it his mission to celebrate the world's most diverse and misunderstood spirit. Bryan shares the origin story of the Rum Curious Club, which began as casual rum parties with friends and has now grown to over 2,100 members hosting events across California. He also shares the inspiration behind the Rum Curious Summit, an annual gathering that brings together attendees and dozens of rum producers for tastings, seminars, and celebration. From tasting over 1,500 rums to bartending at The Lucky Tiki in West Hollywood, Bryan's journey is a testament to the power of obsession turned profession. Tune in for an inspiring look at building community around shared curiosity, challenging preconceptions, and why there truly is a rum for everyone.
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Join us every Monday as acclaimed bartender, Erick Castro, interviews some of the bar industry's top talents from around the world, including bartenders, distillers & authors. If you love cocktails & spirits then this award-winning podcast is just for you.
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