Bar Hacks

David Klemt & Doug Radkey
  • 4.6 (5)
  • BUSINESS

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!

  1. Branding Mastery and Why You Need a Rebrand with Mike Perry of Tavern Agency

    1D AGO

    Branding Mastery and Why You Need a Rebrand with Mike Perry of Tavern Agency

    On this episode of Bar Hacks, host David Klemt welcomes Mike Perry, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Tavern Agency, to discuss the intricacies of branding in the hospitality and beverage industries. With Tavern Agency's focus on food, beverage, and hospitality clients, Mike shares insights from his extensive experience, including working with renowned brands like Old Grand-Dad and Sizzler. The conversation dives deep into what it means to create a successful brand, Mike and Tavern Agency's Modern Heritage branding approach, the concept of brand equity, and how to navigate the challenges of rebranding legacy brands. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding a brand's heritage and how to modernize it without losing its core identity. He also touches on the rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and how they're changing the landscape of consumer preferences. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the world of branding, including the common pitfalls new brands face, the significance of storytelling, and the delicate balance between innovation and tradition. Plus, Mike shares exciting news about upcoming projects, and explains how he would have approached a rebrand that received an incredible amount of pushback last year. Don't miss this engaging discussion that will inspire bar, restaurant, nightclub, and hotel owners and operators to rethink their branding strategies, consider rebranding, and embrace the opportunities for growth in the evolving hospitality landscape. Cheers! Notes Tavern Agency website Tavern Agency Instagram Bar Hacks IG David Klemt IG KRG Hospitality IG KRG Hospitality website

    1h 14m
  2. Catching up with Chef Brian Duffy

    11/25/2025

    Catching up with Chef Brian Duffy

    We're back, and so is Chef Brian Duffy! Host David Klemt, partner and senior consultant at KRG Hospitality, and Chef Duffy haven't been in the same room since hanging out at Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 back in March. So, they're overdue for a catch-up chat. The two discuss what they're seeing out in the real hospitality world, talk about the pitfalls of discounting your menu, share guest experience stories, address working with purveyors and sourcing quality local ingredients (including water!), chat Yumcrunch and Mundial SmartKnives (listen for the Mundial discount code Chef Duffy shares during this episode), and more. Chef Duffy also shares his insights into two real-life, kitchen-focused Bar Hacks: ReFire topics. Cheers! Notes Chef Brian Duffy IG Yumcrunch IG Yumcrunch website Mundial SmartKnives Chef Brian Duffy website ⁠Bar Hacks IG⁠ ⁠David Klemt IG⁠ ⁠KRG Hospitality IG⁠ ⁠KRG Hospitality website

    1h 25m
  3. Brand Authenticity: Robert Minucci of Talkhouse Encore

    08/26/2025

    Brand Authenticity: Robert Minucci of Talkhouse Encore

    On this episode of Bar Hacks, host David Klemt sits down with Rob Minucci, CEO and co-founder of Talkhouse Encore, a premium RTD brand inspired by the legendary dive bar Stephen Talkhouse in the Hamptons. Together, they delve into the story behind the brand's inception during the pandemic, discussing how Rob's business partner Ruby Honerkamp (whose family owns the iconic bar), sought to bring the spirit of the Talkhouse to the masses through gluten-free vodka and tequila seltzers. Or, as Rob explains, dive bar classics in RTD form. Rob shares insights into the challenges of launching a new beverage brand, from navigating distributor relationships to the importance of creating a standout product that resonates with consumers. He emphasizes the significance of authenticity and flavor, particularly for the Gen Z demographic, who are looking for more than just a drink;they want a story and a connection to the brand. You'll learn about the strategic decisions that shaped Talkhouse Encore, including its unique approach to market research and branding. Rob explains how they focused on building a strong local presence before considering expansion, ensuring that they meet consumer demands with quality ingredients and an engaging brand narrative. Join us for a fascinating discussion on entrepreneurship in the beverage industry, the power of storytelling, and the art of creating a product that stands out in a crowded market. Notes Talkhouse Encore website Talkhouse Encore Instagram Panoplai Bar Hacks IG David Klemt IG KRG Hospitality IG KRG Hospitality website Show notes generated in part by Headliner

    46 min
  4. Episode 140 with Finian Sedgwick

    08/05/2025

    Episode 140 with Finian Sedgwick

    Long-time listeners know we love it when previous guests return! On this episode, Finian Sedgwick, chief growth officer at BAXUS, comes back onto the podcast. Finian and David chat about the growth of BAXUS and the BoozApp, including new features for the peer-to-peer marketplace, popular bottles and spirits categories, and the rabbit hole members can go down when searching for items to purchase and trade. They also talk about bottles that have grabbed Finian's attention, why he's bullish on wine, and how alcohol-free cocktail menus are more important than some operators may think. Speaking of operators, the two also discuss the doom-and-gloom articles blaming Millennials and Gen Z for "killing" or otherwise "ruining" alcohol consumption and sales. Is that really the state of booze, or are people rage-baiting for clicks, and are some operators failing to meet their guests where they are? Notes BAXUS website BoozApp website Finian Sedgwick LinkedIn ⁠Bar Hacks IG⁠ ⁠David Klemt IG⁠ ⁠KRG Hospitality IG⁠ ⁠KRG Hospitality website

    55 min
  5. Episode 139 with Matthew Rangel

    07/01/2025

    Episode 139 with Matthew Rangel

    We sit down with real-life bartender, actor, and social media creator Matthew Rangel (@therealmattyrangel) an hour before he needed to open one of the three bars at which he works in Wisconsin to talk neighborhood bars, dive bars, mental health, social media, and the Midwest. For those who haven't yet come across Matty's bartending videos, they're quick, funny, and relatable to anyone who has worked behind the stick, or worked at a bar or restaurant. Matty breaks down his approach to creating his videos, which is a quicker process than most would likely expect. He also explains that people don't need to buy the most expensive recording gear or spend hours editing to make impactful videos. Matty also discusses mental health and the hospitality space, in particular bartending. He hosts Mental Health Mondays each week, hoping for people to reach out, share, connect, and work through their struggles. Cheers! Notes Matty Rangel IG Matty Rangel TikTok Matty Rangel YouTube Matty Rangel Facebook Matty Rangel Linktree Heard game website Bar Hacks IG David Klemt IG KRG Hospitality IG KRG Hospitality website

    1h 5m
  6. ReFire: "We're Having Dinner—You're Not"

    06/17/2025

    ReFire: "We're Having Dinner—You're Not"

    We managed to squeeze three real-world hospitality situations into episode five of ReFire! On the last episode, David and Bradley talked about guest perception, and how the "little" things can have a big impact. This time, they discuss brand perception, and how quickly a misstep can turn into a catastrophe. Then, they talk about "skunking," and how it impacts your team. Finally, David and Bradley take a look at a restaurant's new SOPs shared by a team member, and why they're a problem. Cheers! Notes Bar Hacks IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@barhacks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Klemt IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@david.ex.machina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bradley Knebel IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sommfabulousguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KRG.Hospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KRGHospitality.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 14m
  7. ReFire: Brilliant Burgers, Sloppy Service & Persnickety Perception

    06/03/2025

    ReFire: Brilliant Burgers, Sloppy Service & Persnickety Perception

    Guest experience drives perception, and perception shapes value. As you may have already learned, perception can be impacted on what may feel trivial to operators and their teams but is incredibly important from guest to guest. On this episode of Bar Hacks: Refire, David Klemt, partner at KRG Hospitality, and co-host Bradley Knebel of Empowered Hospitality break down a real-world story of two restaurants offering the same menu and pricing, but with vastly different outcomes. One felt like a letdown because of disorganization and sloppy service; the other delivered a memorable experience simply by getting the fundamentals right. The duo dig into why poor guest experience makes food and drinks taste worse; why discounting without strategy sends the wrong message; and why every detail—from lighting and music volume to greetings and check drop—matters. If your guests don’t feel good about the experience, they won’t feel good about the value. And if they don't see value, they won't see a point in returning for more visits. Tune in to rethink what you're really selling. Notes Bar Hacks IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠@barhacks⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Klemt IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠@david.ex.machina⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bradley Knebel IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠@sommfabulousguy⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠@KRG.Hospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality website:⁠⁠⁠⁠KRGHospitality.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Empowered Hospitality IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@empoweredhospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠ Empowered Hospitality website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠EmpoweredHospitality.com⁠

    1h 6m
  8. Episode 136 with Hayden Lambert

    05/13/2025

    Episode 136 with Hayden Lambert

    Hayden Lambert, co-founder of the unique and award-winning Above Board bar in Melbourne, Australia, pops by for an incredible chat. When Lambert would explain the reductionist philosophy behind the concept for Above Board to others in the industry, he was told it wouldn't work. Well, nearly ten years of operation, a few appearances on the World's 50 Best Bars list, and other accolades later, Above Board continues to prove that its unique approach works. On this episode of the Bar Hacks podcast, Lamber discusses his journey through hospitality, traveling the world, still being tested as a bartender, "simplexity," how brands can succeed in a bar without a back bar, the magic that is making guests feel like their experience was easy, and much, much more. Lambert drops a ton of useful information and experience in this episode that veteran, new, and hopeful bar owners need to hear and consider. Cheers! Notes Above Board website: Aboveboardbar.com Above Board IG: @AboveBoardBarMelb Above Board Facebook: @AboveBoardBar Bar Hacks IG: ⁠⁠⁠@barhacks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality IG: ⁠⁠⁠@krg.hospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ KRG Hospitality website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠krghospitality.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ David Klemt IG: ⁠⁠⁠@david.ex.machina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 14m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    David Klemt & Doug Radkey
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    163
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David Klemt & Doug Radkey
  • Show Website
    Bar Hacks