Step into Episode 200 of ‘On The Delo’ as Delo celebrates a major milestone by sitting down with fellow "Delo" Dave Delos, a 30-year bar industry veteran, owner of six neighborhood dive bars, and president of the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association (ALBA). From growing up in Poughkeepsie, New York, and building homes with his hands to buying his first bar from his father-in-law Tony Marino in 1996, Dave shares the full arc of how hard work, family, and a willingness to "figure it out" built a six-location dive bar empire across the West Valley. The conversation goes deep on what it really means to run a family business in hospitality, how Dave and his wife Lori built their operation together (she's known as "the executioner" for a reason), and how their son and daughter have now stepped into daily operations and HR to carry the legacy forward. Dave also opens up about life at 60, losing his father last year, taking his 86-year-old mom wine tasting, and why golf, travel, cooking, and wine at night keep him grounded. You'll hear one of the wildest bar stories ever told involving a live World War II hand grenade thrown into one of his bars, plus Dave's journey from ALBA board member to seven-year president, why a $200,000 Series 6 license needs protecting, and where he stands on mandatory Title 4 training and personal responsibility. Stay for rapid fire on Sunday day drinkers, Michelob Ultra, napkin deals, White Castle, and why dive bars are the fabric of America. Chapter Guide (Timestamps): (0:00 - 2:53) Episode 200 Celebration, "On The Delos," and Why Delo Matters to the Industry (2:54 - 6:38) Growing Up in New York, the Mazda B2000 Road Trip, and Meeting His Wife at Gentleman's Choice (6:39 - 9:54) Moving to Arizona, Buying a Bar from Tony Marino, and Building Six Locations with His Hands (9:54 - 12:38) His Wife "The Executioner," Partnership, and What a Good Woman Does for Your Life and Business (12:39 - 15:18) Passing the Business to His Kids, College First, and Letting Go After 30 Years of Decisions (15:18 - 17:55) Life at 60: Golf, Travel, Wine at Night, and Taking His 86-Year-Old Mom Wine Tasting (17:56 - 20:52) The Live Hand Grenade Story: The Wildest Thing That's Ever Happened in One of His Bars (20:52 - 25:06) Getting Into ALBA, Industry Titans, Bill Weigel, and Why It's "My Time, My Turn" (25:06 - 29:02) What ALBA Does: Lobbying, Licensing, Protecting the $200K Series 6, and Don Isaacson at the Capitol (29:02 - 33:19) Title 4 Training, Mandatory vs. Voluntary, Personal Responsibility, and Masking Intoxication (33:19 - 35:42) ALBA Membership Benefits, $300/Year, Insurance Discounts, and a Welcome to New Members (35:42 - 42:03) Rapid Fire: Sunday Drinkers, Dive Bars, Michelob Ultra, Napkin Deals, White Castle, and Delo's Close 👉 If this conversation about building bars, protecting the industry, and leading with family resonated with you, hit Subscribe for more deep dives on hospitality, business, and real life and share with a fellow bar or restaurant owner who needs to hear it.
