Send us Fan Mail What is the real secret to building a bar that people actually love and return to week after week? In this episode, NYC hospitality veteran Nikolas Vagenas (co-owner of Williamsburg's Mr. Melo) breaks down the business psychology of customer retention, the global rise of vinyl listening bars, and how to build a sustainable, zero-waste cocktail program that stands out in a crowded global market. ABOUT THE GUEST & EPISODE Some bars serve drinks. Others make you feel like you belong. Nikolas Vagenas has spent his career building the second kind. Tucked into Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Mr. Melo is more than a listening bar — it's a space built on New Greek cuisine, sustainable compost cocktails, and genuinely good music. But underneath all of that is something Nikolas cares about even more: making people feel seen. With over a decade in elite NYC hospitality — helping open, run, and consult on iconic spots like Lullaby, Bar Meridian, Apotheke, Babel Loft, and Gordos Cantina — Nikolas isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. He understands that the job was never about chasing temporary trends — it's about protecting what hospitality has always truly meant. In this masterclass conversation, he breaks down how to lead with inclusivity, empathy, and genuine care as an industry standard. Every bar across the globe shares the same bones — glasses, bottles, a bar top — but what makes each one unforgettable is everything around that: the ambience, the price point, the food, and the people behind it. Nikolas is one of the definitive voices carrying that torch, and this episode is a universal reminder of why consistency matters so much in an industry that's always changing. If you’re into hospitality industry insights, this episode is for you! 🚨COMMENT🚨 — what makes a bar feel like home to you? 👉 FOLLOW Nikolas @nikpicks 👉 FOLLOW Mr. Melo @mr.melobar 👉 SHARE this with someone who needs to visit Mr. Melo Follow Our Podcast 👇🏽 IG @bartalkingtalkingbarnyc TikTok @bttbnycpodcast 🌎 https://bartalkingtalkingbarnyc.com 🎧 🔊 📻 Listen the Episode On: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Podcast Index Overcast Podcast Addict Castro Castbox Podchaser Player FM Goodpods TrueFans SUPPORT THE SHOW 🫶🏼 DONATIONS 💳💰 👇🏽 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526003/supporters/new https://buymeacoffee.com/bartalkingtalkingbarnyc Every donation makes a difference and keeps this project thriving. Inquiries please reach out to Nury Robles at: 📧 bartalkingtalkingbar@gmail.com This podcast is designed for listeners aged 21 and over, or where the legal drinking age permits. Support the show This podcast is designed for listeners aged 21 and over, or where the legal drinking age permits. You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@BarTalkingTalkingBar-z8p IG https://www.instagram.com/bartalkingtalkingbarnyc/ Follow, Like, Share, Comment and Subscribe
