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 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. S1: The one where we interview Jessica Maria

    05/15/2025

    S1: The one where we interview Jessica Maria

    From Fluffernutters to the Hotsy Totsy Club: Jessica Maria on creating her own path to opening up one of the Bay Area’s most beloved neighborhood bars, and everything in between. In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Maria, whose journey started at 13 year. We trace her roots back to Massachusetts working at Uncle Tony’s, where teenage shifts were full of flirting, fluffernutters were important, and the spark of discovering community in and what that really means. From cocktail waitressing in hotel bars to a surprise stint behind the scenes at Bill Graham Presents, Jessica learned every rung of the ladder through hustle and heart—including deadlifting kegs, tracking inventory for every show, and translating cocktail specs into Thai during her time running a bar in Thailand. Her story winds through reinvention after reinvention—management roles taken by instinct, improv gigs, a move across the world, and the important rebuild of Hotsy Totsy. Through it all, Jessica reminds us that hospitality isn’t just about service—it’s about play, pressure, perseverance, and choosing love for the industry again and again. We get into: Fluffernutters - a MUST try experienceThe early years of bar magic at Blake’s on TelegraphFaxing a resume to a mystery ad that led to Bill Graham PresentsRunning a bar in Thailand (and living through a tsunami)Rebuilding Hotsy Totsy with the help of communityHer take on where the industry is headed, and how we can helpJessica’s story is a reminder that there’s no one way to show up in hospitality—but showing up with intention, curiosity, and care will always be the way forward. Follow @hotsytotsyclub to keep up with news, updates, a fun times! 👉 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 21m
See All (16)

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
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 - Walk In Social Club
  • Show Website
    Walk In Social Club