Bar Hacks

You’ve heard of life hacks? How about #BarHacks? Created by KRG Hospitality consultants Doug Radkey (president, principal consultant) and by David Klemt (partner, senior consultant), Bar Hacks is a reflection of both high-level journalism & consulting experience within this industry. This informative and conversational podcast is the perfect listen for any aspiring or seasoned bar, pub, lounge, or even restaurant owner, operator, and manager who is looking for that competitive edge in industry driven trends, development, and operations. Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Bar Hacks is a business podcast hosted by David Klemt & Doug Radkey, with 176 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

David Klemt & Doug Radkey hosts Bar Hacks, a business show with 176 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #13

  Growth & Authenticity: Stay True, Listen, and Take the Risk

  Jul 28, 202649 minS7

  ALB Vodka has been experiencing significant growth and forming key partnerships through a few powerful tactics: they listen to operators, chefs, bartenders and partners, and they innovate while remaining authentic and true to themselves. That is, in part, what got Bar Hacks host David Klemt interested in speaking with Brian Grimsley of ALB Vodka. However, there's more to the brand's story, and it's something that caught David's attention immediately. It turns that out many notable Italian restaurants throughout NYC use ALB Vodka to make their vodka sauces. During this chat, Brian and Chef Anthony tell the ALB story, share what authenticity means to them, discuss institution status, and even dive into vodka sauce specifically and red sauce in general. This is a fun one! Cheers! Notes ⁠ALB Vodka IG⁠ ⁠ ALB Website website⁠ Chef Anthony IG Emilio's Ballato IG Vitolo IG Vitolo website ⁠KRG Nightlife IG⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠KRG Nightlife website

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  Episode #12

  Drink Wise: Building a Beverage Brand with Conviction

  Jul 14, 202659 minS7

  Every successful beverage brand has an origin story. For Owl's Brew, it began with tea, craft cocktails, and a commitment to doing things differently. On this episode of Bar Hacks , we're joined by the founders of Owl's Brew, Maria Littlefield and Jennie Ripps. Our conversation includes the story of a visit to a New York City hotel bar that unexpectedly validated their product, why distributors understood their vision before consumers did, what Gen Z is teaching the industry about the future of drinking, and why authenticity has remained their greatest competitive advantage. We also explore the launch of Spiked Pop, the Wise Women Collective, the Boozy Book Club, and what it takes to build a brand that stays true to itself in an industry that constantly pressures companies to follow the next trend. Whether you're building a beverage brand, operating a bar, or simply curious about where the industry is headed, this conversation is full of practical insights on innovation, community, and drinking wise. Cheers! Notes Owl's Brew IG Owl's Brew Spiked Pop Owl's Brew website KRG Nightlife IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Nightlife website

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  Episode #11

  The DC Bar Scene Isn't Emerging. It's Already Here.

  Jun 30, 20261h 6mS7

  On this episode of Bar Hacks, David Klemt sits down with Kapri Robinson and Princess Johnson of Allegory in Washington, DC, for a conversation that goes far beyond cocktails. Together, they explore what makes DC's bar scene unique, why it deserves recognition alongside cities like New York, Chicago, and Miami, and how strong hospitality begins with strong teams. From designing thoughtful cocktail programs and creating memorable guest experiences to preventing burnout, elevating non-alcoholic offerings, and the return of happy hour, this episode is packed with practical insight for anyone passionate about hospitality. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, including David somehow swapping both guests' surnames during the introduction even though he was reading his own notes. Cheers! Notes Kapri Robinson IG Princess Johnson IG Allegory DC IG Allegory DC website ⁠⁠⁠Bar Hacks IG⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠KRG Hospitality IG⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠KRG Hospitality website

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  Episode #10

  Ethos & Sensibilities: Ektoras Binikos on Bars, Art & Distilling

  Jun 16, 20261 hourS7

  <p>Artist, operator, bartender, mixologist, distiller, creator... Ektoras Binikos wears a lot of hats. That said, he wears them under the unifying umbrella of hospitality.</p><p>Not long after arriving in NYC from Greece, he started making a name for himself. By 2019, Ektoras was ready to open the doors to his own bar, Sugar Monk. He and his team overcame significant challenges, including navigating shutdowns. Now, in June of 2026, Sugar Monk is celebrating its seven-year anniversary.</p><p>Ektoras opened Bitter Monk in 2024, and has tapped into his family's history of distilling through the creation of Atheras Spirits. One...

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  Episode #9

  I'm Your Huckleberry: Mike Bausch Wants You to Succeed with Pizza

  Jun 2, 20261h 12mS7

  <p>Mike Bausch, one of the first certified master pizzaiolos in America, was also one of the first guests host David Klemt ever talked with on the Bar Hacks podcast. He dropped by five years ago for episode 18. Now, he returns for episode 151.</p><p>If you operate a pizzeria or have pizza on your menu, and if you really want to cut through the BS and succeed in this highly competitive area of F&B, Mike can help.</p><p>On this episode, he delivers the reality of running a pizza business straight, peeling back the complicated layers of...

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