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 178 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

David Klemt & Doug Radkey hosts Bar Hacks, a business show with 178 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 #17

  Ambassadors Clubhouse: How Do You Open the Most In-Demand Restaurant in New York?

  Sep 29, 20261h 35mS7

  What does it take to open one of New York City's most in-demand restaurants and then make it better after the doors open? On this episode of Bar Hacks , host David Klemt sits down with Bar Hacks: ReFire co-host Bradley Knebel, general manager of Ambassador's Clubhouse NYC, to talk about the work behind opening and leading a restaurant with enormous expectations from day one. Bradley traces his path from sommelier to restaurant leadership and the opening experiences that made him fall in love with bringing concepts to life. He shares why no restaurant survives first contact with operating reality unchanged, how to protect a brand's non-negotiables while listening to guests, and why opening leaders need to check their egos at the door. The conversation gets into the realities behind Ambassadors Clubhouse: overwhelming reservation demand, a massive menu, two-floor service, highly technical culinary and beverage programs, and the prep systems required to make complexity look effortless. Bradley also breaks down how his team approached hiring roughly 100 people, why he hires the person before the skill set, and how that philosophy helped the restaurant reach six months with 100% voluntary retention among its service team. Along the way, David and Bradley discuss culture as an operating and financial issue, decision making under pressure, giving GMs clear authority, building consistency without chasing perfection, and Bradley's standard for excellence: get 1% better every day. Plus, Bradley shares the real family story behind the Ambassadors Clubhouse concept, including the man whose portrait connects the restaurant to the Punjabi mansion parties that inspired it. Notes ⁠⁠ Bradley Knebel IG Ambassadors Clubhouse NYC IG Ambassadors Clubhouse NYC website Ambassadors Clubhouse website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KRG Nightlife IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KRG Nightlife website

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  Episode #15

  Design Is Not Decoration. It's an Advantage.

  Aug 25, 202646 minS7

  On this episode, David sits down with strategy and design expert Anita Modha to look beyond logos, colors, and Instagrammable moments to what actually makes a hospitality brand memorable. Anita explains why great design starts with vision, culture, research, and a deep understanding of the people a brand intends to serve—and why the visual identity should be the final expression of that work, not the starting point. David and Anita explore design as a competitive advantage, using storytelling and all five senses to create memorable experiences, balancing guest and employee needs, and getting more from the relationship between owners and designers. They also take aim at copycat design trends, discuss why designing for Instagram can undermine the actual guest experience, and examine the renewed appetite for authentic, real-world connection. Along the way, they get into wallcoverings, tableside experiences, signature dishes and drinks, the Las Vegas “Death Ray,” flower walls, wings, and what operators can learn simply by listening to the people already inside their businesses. Notes Anita Modha IG Anita Modha LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠KRG Nightlife IG⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠KRG Nightlife website

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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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