Damon Boelte is back and so is The Speakeasy! On the first episode of 2013, Damon is hanging out with friend and fellow bartender J Rosser Lomax, of a brand new NYC bar called “The Third Man”. Tune in and hear them talk shop and defend the integrity of Platinum Buds. How do restrictions help bar programs? How can bartenders make bitter classic drinks accessible to all? Hear about all of the crazy concoctions J Rosser Lomax has come up with, including Champagne-backs and tons of other crazy ideas...
Jan 16, 2013•31 min•Ep. 80
It’s The Speakeasy Cripple Creek Holiday Spectacular!!! By that, we mean Damon Boelte, Aaron Polsky and Mike O’Rourke are hanging out, drinking bourbon and talking shop. Cripple Creek is a pop up bar by Damon & Aaron’s – it’s their vision of the marriage between rock concert and cocktail bar. The menu looks like a set list, the drinks come in plastic cups and the music is loud. Make no mistake, we’re talking about the high-end forward thinking cocktails that these guys are known for. Re-imag...
Dec 19, 2012•32 min•Ep. 79
Today, Damon Boelte is celebrating the 79th anniversary of the repeal of the 18th Amendment, and his two year anniversary on Heritage Radio Network! Joining Damon in the studio is Garret Richard, also of Prime Meats in Brooklyn, New York. Tune in to hear Damon and Garret talk about some Prohibition history, and how it affected to social landscape of cities like New York and Chicago. Later, Damon and Garret talk about modern faux-Speakeasy style bars, and how they helped to revive certain cocktai...
Dec 05, 2012•31 min•Ep. 78
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by two friends from Seersucker Brooklyn, chef/owner Robert Newton and bartender Matt Hopkins. Tune in and hear three professionals talk shop and highlight some incredible wines coming from New York, Virginia and other overlooked regions in America. They taste a few wines on air and lament over the fact that some people still come into the coolest bars in the world and ask for Vodka & Cranberry juice! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the way modern r...
Nov 28, 2012•32 min•Ep. 77
This week on a special episode of The Speakeasy, Damon checks in with bartenders Nino Cirabisi and Frank Cisneros who have helped organize the New York Bartenders Ball Benefit to help those affected by Super Storm Sandy. Find out how the bar community has rallied together to help in every way possible – from giving shifts to those without work to delivering ice to bars without power. Learn more about the New York Bartenders Ball, which goes down Monday, November 26th at the Bowery Hotel with Dea...
Nov 21, 2012•32 min•Ep. 76
This afternoon on The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte is joined by Jan Warren, the head bartender at Dutch Kills Bar and the co-host of the web series Animals Eating Animals. Jan talks about his experiences working as a bartender and server and the relationship between patrons and those working in the restaurant. Hear how Jan spends his days off exploring the city for the best food and drink by bicycle and the wild foods he’s come across in the search. Tune in as Jan talks about American food cultu...
Nov 14, 2012•31 min•Ep. 75
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by co-creator of Brooklyn Gin, Emil Jattne. They’re obviously talking gin – from distilling to bottling and everything in between. Learn why Brooklyn Gin makes no compromises in the process of gin-making and how their unique blend of botanicals make for a one of a kind spirit. Hear some of the benefits of being included in the Barclays Center’s beverage program and find out how the artisanal gin company plans on expanding. This program was sponsored by...
Oct 24, 2012•31 min•Ep. 74
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon gets to chat about his favorite spirit in the world – Fernet-Branca! He’s joined in studio by Jennifer Corrao, brand ambassador for Fratelli Branca, a distillery that produces Fernet-Branca, Branca Menta, Carpano Antica and more. Learn all about the bitter digestif that has picked up in popularity over the past few years – especially amongst bartenders and service industry professionals. What makes the recipe so special? What are bartenders doing with Fernet-Bra...
Oct 17, 2012•34 min•Ep. 73
This week on The Speakeasy, host Damon Boelte is joined by Leif Huckman and Jeremy Oertel of the new Williamsburg bar Donna. Leif explains the concept behind the bar’s feminine and welcoming design and why he thinks keeping price points low is important in building an approachable drinking establishment. The crew discusses cocktail construction, the delicate balance that goes into the classic recipes and the best ways to come up with something fresh and precise. If you’re interested in drinking ...
Sep 26, 2012•36 min•Ep. 72
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is hangin’ out with Karin Stanely, co-owner of Dutch Kills and bartender at Little Branch. Join in as they chat about making drinks, the importance of fresh juice and why meticulous bartending is second to none. Hear stories of rude customers, altercations and camaraderie amongst staff and fellow bartenders in the world of mixed drinks. There are a lot of high quality, top notch cocktail bars popping up around New York City, and Damon & Karen discuss ...
Sep 19, 2012•32 min•Ep. 71
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by friend and fellow bartender/musician Kevin Denton of WD-50 and The Crooners. Damon and Kevin talk shop and discuss everything from modern beverage programs, dirty martinis and Vietnamese-influenced cocktails. Hear what it’s like working at a technologically-minded operation such as WD-50 and juggling a life as a musician at the same time! This program was brought to you by Hearst Ranch . “Beverage programs are now more than just the wines you offer....
Sep 12, 2012•32 min•Ep. 70
Alie and Georgia are in the studio! They are the hosts for Cooking Channel’s Classy Ladies and contributors to Unique Sweets. Tune in as they hang out with Damon and talk about viral videos, female bartenders and lighthearted drinking. They make a delicious on-air cocktail with Aperol, orange juice and beer and somehow manage to get free tequila shots from a listener. Hear what it’s like submitting recipes for a TV show and why these girls have fun everywhere they go. This program was sponsored ...
Aug 29, 2012•33 min•Ep. 69
On an informative and conversational episode of The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by friend and fellow bartender Aaron Polsky or Neta and Amor & Amargo. Damon and Aaron talk shop and discuss classic cocktail variations and the use of lower ABV spirits including Soju and Sherry. How can cocktails and food live in harmony? What does it mean to mess around with classic cocktail formats? Tune in for a great conversation on interesting drinks, customized bars and innovative bartending. This p...
Aug 22, 2012•31 min•Ep. 68
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is joined by the “Captains” of Tiki Mondays, Brian Miller and Ryan Liloia. Hear the genesis behind the highly successful weekly guest bartender night at Lani Kai where all tips go to charity. Tiki Mondays has become a family affair, and Brian and Ryan talk about how this community of bartenders teach each other new things (including the Corporal Captain Dance) constantly. Learn more about Tiki drinks and why bartending is much bigger than serving drinks on a fee...
Aug 08, 2012•37 min•Ep. 67
Damon is back from Tales of the Cocktail and he’s joined in studio by Antonia Fattizzi of Lucas Bols. Antonia and Damon chat about Bols Genever and how it’s slowly gaining popularity in the states. Genever is extremely popular in Amsterdam and drinks like a gin but is closer related to whiskey. Learn more about this interesting spirit and tune in as they make a Holland Razorblade on air! This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons . “Genever actually outsells vodka by 4 to 1 in A...
Aug 01, 2012•31 min•Ep. 66
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon chats with Marshall Altier and Nick Pelis of Denizen Rum. Learn what makes different rums unique and how each acts differently in cocktails and with mixers. White rum is not vodka, and the guys at Denizen are doing everything they can to educate the consumer in that regard. Find out why subsidies have favored quantity over quality and hear why Denizen takes no shortcuts in the quality control of their product. Tune in as the guys make cocktails on-air and whet y...
Jul 11, 2012•33 min•Ep. 65
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon is re-joined by friend of the show Steve Schneider of Employees Only and Macao Trading Company. Steve has been a busy man in the past year, traveling across the world for competitions, exhibitions and general craziness. Hear how he broke speed records at the “Rematch” bartending competition and why he challenges anybody in the world to compete with him! Steve passionately explains how bartenders are like family and describes the camaraderie that helped him get t...
Jun 27, 2012•32 min•Ep. 64
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon chats with Amanda Womack, manager at Cask in San Francisco. Cask sells artisanal beverages and is part of the Future Bars group. Find out how Cask sources their small batch liquors and learn about their American Whiskey Club. Get a sense of what cocktail and spirits culture is like on the West Coast, as Amanda shares some of her favorite beverages and cocktails right now. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons . “I can’t ever think of a time...
Jun 13, 2012•32 min•Ep. 63
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon chats with Michael Kinstliek, CEO of Coppersea Distilling. Michael talks about the rise of craft distilling in New York and the country at large and discusses how distillers have followed the model that craft breweries created in the marketplace. Learn what challenges craft distillers are faced with and how specialty distribution is starting to develop across the nation. Find out what factors make or brake small brands and how packaging, price points and quality...
Jun 06, 2012•31 min•Ep. 62
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte chats with friend and distiller at Van Brunt Stillhouse, Daric Schlesselman. Tune in to hear what it’s like running a small batch distillery and why Grappa got him into this whole business. From sugar to aging, learn about the process of distilling and how different techniques can make different products. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons . “Finishing is a little bit of a challenge for a small distiller. It takes years to have en...
May 30, 2012•28 min•Ep. 61
Fresh off the Manhattan Cocktail Classic bender, Damon Boelte sits and chats with bartender Rocky Yeh from Vessel Lounge in Seattle. Hear some wild stories from the MCC and get an insiders perspective on bartending, spirits distribution and liquor availability. How is running a bar in Seattle different than New York? How could the entire state of Washington run out of Aperol? Learn more on another edition of the best bartending show in the world. This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures ...
May 16, 2012•27 min•Ep. 60
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon sits and chats with the ladies of Speed Rack. Speed Rack is a competition created for and by female bartenders to promote female bartenders. Hear from Ivy Mix, Lynette Marrero & Claire Bertin-Lang as they preview the upcoming competition on May 10th, 2012. Find out how intense the competition gets and what to expect from a room full of the most skilled women bartenders in the world! This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures . “This cocktail community ...
May 09, 2012•33 min•Ep. 59
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte sits and chats with Tom Macy & Jesse Wohlers of The Clover Club. Find out what makes bartending such a grueling gig and how they both got to where they are now. Find out how to climb the ranks in a bar and make a career out of the most fun job in the world. Hear their thoughts on everything from social skills behind the bar to mocktails. This program was sponsored by Hearst Ranch . “[When bartending] I want the customer to feel like I have nothing bet...
May 02, 2012•31 min•Ep. 58
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte is joined by Adam Harris, brand ambassador for Maker’s Mark. Hear about the history of the company and what makes their whiskey recipe so unique. Hear about the companies water renewal program and hear how they utilize the mash that has been used as methane to power their cookers. Learn something new about one of the most popular bourbons in the world on this week’s episode of The Speakeasy. This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures . “We don’t put...
Apr 25, 2012•26 min•Ep. 57
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon hangs out and chats with Justin Noel, bartender at 1534 and rep from Prestige Brands. Damon and Joel talk about everything from changing perceptions around gin & tequila to creating characters at hotel bars. Learn more about overlooked spirits behind the bar and find out how to get over your fear of certain spirits by trying the right stuff! This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures “There’s nothing worse than somebody forcing a brand or product down ...
Apr 18, 2012•35 min•Ep. 56
Who says you can’t lose weight while getting wasted? Not Lüc Carl. Tune in to this week’s episode of The Speakeasy as Damon Boelte chats with Lüc, who’s latest book, aptly titled The Drunk Diet: How I Lost 40 Pounds . . . Wasted: A Memoir , helps people get healthy while maintaining a rock star life. Find out how he went from binge parties to running marathons and what it takes to maintain a balance of health and fun. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market . “I consider the book more...
Apr 11, 2012•24 min•Ep. 55
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte catches up with Matt Carr and Tom O’Neil of Betto with Johnny Gaffney of Kanon Vodka. Tune in as they celebrate the arrival of spring with a lively discussion on amaros, grappas and delicious refreshing cocktails that can be made with either. Learn how having a bar in a restaurant is convenient when it comes to ingredients and why there’s nothing wrong with a bull shot here and there. Also find out more about Kanon Vodka and their single distilled process...
Apr 04, 2012•30 min•Ep. 54
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon sits and chats with Michael J. Neff of Ward III & Rum House. Tune in to hear how he and his journeymen bartender colleagues turned their dreams into reality with Ward III and what it takes to run a successful bar in New York City. Find out why Michael prefers free pouring over jiggers, and how it changes the drink making process. Why is it so hard to get a good cocktail at a sports bar? Why do some “cocktail bars” frown upon people ordering vodka sodas? Hear...
Mar 28, 2012•32 min•Ep. 53
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon Boelte checks in with celebrated bartender Toby Maloney of The Violet Hour, a pre-Prohibition era-inspired speakeasy in Chicago recently nominated for the Outstanding Bar Program James Beard Award. Learn how Toby found his way to The Violet Hour and what has influenced his style as a bartender. Find out what it takes to run a successful bar and find out what “Malort” is and why it’s popular in Chicago. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market . “The Viol...
Mar 21, 2012•32 min•Ep. 52
This week on The Speakeasy, Damon sits and chats with James Menite of Don Q Rum. Learn how James went from a normal job to becoming one of New York City’s premiere bartenders. Learn more about why James thinks rum is the next “breakout spirit” and how hospitality is more important than people think when it comes to bartending. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons . “If you make it as a bartender/mixologist in New York City, the world is your oyster.” “We’re in a lucky busi...
Mar 07, 2012•35 min•Ep. 51
