Walk In Social Club

Hannah Claire Le, Nick White
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

A Podcast for Bartenders. Owners. Operators. Humans. Real hospitality journeys from the walk.in for the community.

  1. S2: The one where we interview Den Stephens

    Jun 15

    S2: The one where we interview Den Stephens

    Walk.In Club is back with Den Stephens originally from Portland, Oregon and the force behind Tallboy in Oakland, California — just named a U.S. West Regional Honoree for Best U.S. Cocktail Bar AND Best U.S. Bar Team by Tales of the Cocktail. As a kid he dipped his toes in telemarketing while basketball and poetry kept him busy. His real foot in the door came as a dishwasher, where he eventually fell in love with the team energy of the service industry and never looked back.  He worked his way through the industry and found his calling behind the bar — and it was at Higgins where something clicked and he realized this could actually be a career. From there, Den got into consulting, sharpened his craft, and this past year hit a milestone most bartenders only dream about: 30k martinis. We get into how he built that number, what the journeys taught him thus far, and what it really takes to build a bar program earning national recognition this early in its journey. Check out custom made jewelry by Den's partner and muse, the insanely talented Emilie Jehng at Soft Good Studio. For one of a kind, intimate pieces.  👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 6m
  2. S2: The one where we interview the Bald & GingerBeerded Bartender

    May 1

    S2: The one where we interview the Bald & GingerBeerded Bartender

    We recorded this one at the Treehouse Hotel, what is giving “San Jose’s Narnia,” the kind of place that transforms you into a different space. Nick’s story starts by getting thrown straight onto a pizza station at the Jungle, what was an iconic kids play space around the Bay Area. From there, it’s a path that isn’t linear — moving from sandwiches to candy shops and back again — but each step adds a new layer of growth and understanding, especially on the business side. We talk about what it means to go from making something to managing it, and how stepping away can sometimes be the thing that helps you see it clearly. There’s a real honesty here around doubt, fear of failure, and knowing when it’s time to move on. Eventually, that path leads him behind the bar, landing roles through personality and work ethic, and continuing to build toward where he is now at Valley Goat. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 4m
  3. S2: The one where we interview Chef Nelson German

    Apr 1

    S2: The one where we interview Chef Nelson German

    Walk-In Club is back, and this episode we're sitting down with Chef Nelson German — the mind behind Alamar, Sobre Mesa, and Meski — to talk about a journey that started at five years old bagging groceries for a Super Nintendo, sparked by watching his mom and grandmother cook, and grew into one of the most recognized culinary careers in the Bay Area. We get into how he thinks about responsibility to his team, why he always comes with a plan A, B, C, and D, his path through culinary school, and the road that eventually led him to Top Chef. Oh, and we've got exciting news — his new book is coming out, and you can PRE-ORDER it now! 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 20m
  4. S2: The one where we interview Sequoia Del Hoyo

    Mar 2

    S2: The one where we interview Sequoia Del Hoyo

    Walk-In Club is back, and this episode marks a milestone — our first interview with a new friend we didn’t know before hitting record. We’re sitting down with Sequoia del Hoyo, owner of Tarocco, to talk about her journey starting as a host at the Black Angus after dropping off résumés door-to-door for school credit, to finding herself in the kitchen playing the stabby game with Chef, to that lightbulb moment working on the floor, realizing that she could one day could too, own a restaurant herself. We get into the grind of learning every role in the building, outside the building, and what it takes to bet on yourself. (Fun fact: she also worked a hot dog stand outside Home Depot.) If you’ve ever wanted to own your own place and build it from the ground up, this one’s for you. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    49 min
  5. S2: The one where we interview Rachelle Merlo

    Feb 2

    S2: The one where we interview Rachelle Merlo

    Walk.In Club is back, and this episode we’re sitting down with Rachelle Merlot, co-founder of Dealers Choice Hospitality, talking her path from trying to break into hospitality to building the experience that shaped her career. We get into what it really looks like to start with little experience, the tough calls around where and who you work for when growth is the goal, and why speaking up for yourself is part of leveling up. We talk foundational bar skills — free pouring, counting, speed rack, building systems — and why opening teams can fast-track your development. If you’ve ever been hungry to learn, move up, and turn bar work into a real career, this one’s for you. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 16m
  6. S2: The one where we interview William Tsui

    Jan 1

    S2: The one where we interview William Tsui

    Walk.In Club is back, and we’re kicking off the new season with Oakland native William Tsui, owner of Viridian in downtown Oakland, talking his path from bartending school to bar owner. We get into mentors who actually push you forward, why spreadsheets matter even if you don’t like them, and the real meaning of the 5-10 Rule (hint: it’s not just the area code). If you’ve ever wondered what’s next after bartending—or what a good pour cost should be—this one’s for you. 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 20m
  7. Re-Release?!?!? Hamei Hamedi El Patio!!

    06/27/2025

    Re-Release?!?!? Hamei Hamedi El Patio!!

    As sad as we are, El Patio prepares to close its doors on July 3rd, we encourage you to show some love—stop by for one last visit, grab some food, drinks, a hat, and soak in the magic that is El Patio and listen in to this episode that shares the story of a place that has meant so much to the community, and will forever be a staple in the books.   To Hamei and the entire crew: thank you for the countless memories, for building a space that felt like home, and for creating a true third place rooted in joy, celebration, and connection.   #TheWalkInClub #ElPatio #CheersToElPatio #CommunitySpotlight #SupportLocal 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    58 min
  8. S1: The one where we interview Larry Piaskowy

    05/29/2025

    S1: The one where we interview Larry Piaskowy

    Larry’s story is one of grit, curiosity, and deep care for the people around him. Raised in Chicago helping care for his Polish grandmother, he started working young and found pride in every role, no matter how small. His path led him from delivering prescriptions to executive chef at high end hotels, from his first catering gig in the Bay Area to building a waterfall at one of SF's legendary bars. He reflects on his transition into bartending through his culinary lens, making syrups and juices that helped bars thrive. Larry talks about designing kitchens and Walk-ins to opening his own restaurant from scratch, and why his first bar shift at Outsidelands was the shift that gave him 2 career paths in an industry he loves, and for that he feels gratitude.  👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend.  ➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation! 📨 Questions? DM us on Instagram! Want to support? Merch and Donations available on our website!   This project is independently run and made with love for the industry, and your support helps cover production costs and keep the conversations going.   The Walk.In Club is hosted by Nick White and Hannah Claire Le All Walk.In Media and terrible jokes produced by Sean Stepp Music written by Ethan Luck

    1h 11m
See All (17)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A Podcast for Bartenders. Owners. Operators. Humans. Real hospitality journeys from the walk.in for the community.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah Claire Le, Nick White
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 - Walk In Social Club
  • Show Website
    Walk In Social Club

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