The Buildout

Latest Episodes:

Dear Irving Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Today, Meaghan Dorman is rightfully considered one of the OGs of New York’s craft cocktail movement—but breaking into the scene wasn’t always so straightforward. Her entry point? Answering a Craigslist ad for a mysterious new speakeasy in Chelsea called Raine’s Law Room. That gig would ultimately lead to Dorman opening an equally—if not more—celebrated bar with her partners a few years later: Dear Irving.

From reviving and perfecting the Gibson to setting a new standard for guest experience, Dear Irving became an instant classic, eventually expanding to two more locations and solidifying Dorman’s reputation as one of the city’s great hospitality minds.

Meaghan joins Adam in the studio to share how it all started, how the bar evolved over the years, and what she’s learned from building one of NYC’s most beloved cocktail institutions.

Dear Irving: https://www.instagram.com/dearirving

Meaghan Dorman: https://www.instagram.com/gingerrickey

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunken Harbor Club Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

What began as a weekly pop-up inside the now-shuttered Fort Defiance slowly evolved into one of Brooklyn’s most imaginative cocktail destinations. The Sunken Harbor Club charted its own unlikely course—thanks in part to a shortage of decent drinks near the Downtown Brooklyn courthouses (yes, really), and the sudden availability of one of New York’s most visionary bartenders.

Adam sits down with St. John Frizell, Ben Schneider, and Garret Richard to unpack the twists of fate, creative risks, and behind-the-scenes hustle that turned a temporary idea into one of the most exciting bars in New York and beyond.

Sunken Harbor Club: https://www.instagram.com/sunkenharborclubnyc

Garret Richard: https://www.instagram.com/garretjrichard

St. John Frizell: https://www.instagram.com/stjohnfrizell

Ben Schneider: https://www.instagram.com/benisclovis

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Long Island Bar Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

Ask most drinks writers to name their favorite New York City bar, and chances are you’ll hear the same answer: The Long Island Bar. But the story of how Toby Cecchini and Joel Tompkins finally opened this now-iconic spot is far more complicated than its easygoing vibe suggests—complete with notes slipped under doors, late-night window peeking, and a perfectly timed chance encounter.

Adam sits down with Toby and Joel to unpack how this beloved Brooklyn bar almost never happened, and what gives it its enduring magic.

Long Island Bar: https://www.instagram.com/longislandbar

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maison Premiere Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

In 2011, industry veterans Joshua Boissy and Krystof Zizka quietly opened Maison Premiere on a then-sleepy stretch of Bedford Avenue—far from the bustling hotspot it would later become. The bar didn’t stay quiet for long. Its immersive, transportive design and exceptional cocktails quickly drew crowds and set a new standard for New York hospitality. Adam sits down with Joshua to unpack the near-miss funding that almost kept the bar from opening, the rapid rise that followed, and where the Maison Premiere brand is headed next.

Maison Premiere: https://www.instagram.com/maisonpremiere

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dead Rabbit Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

In 2013, two celebrated bartenders from Belfast arrived in New York with a single goal: to open the world’s best bar, proudly rooted in Irish heritage. Adam sits down with co-founder Jack McGarry to unpack how they made that vision a reality—and where this now-iconic brand is headed next.

The Dead Rabbit: https://www.instagram.com/thedeadrabbitny

Jack McGarry: https://www.instagram.com/jackmcgarry1

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

schmuck. Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

They built one of Europe’s most celebrated bars. But when it came time to open in New York City, how did Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy make sure the follow-up didn’t just live up to the original — it surpassed it?

In this episode of the buildout they tell Adam their story.

schmuck.: https://www.instagram.com/schmuck.ny

VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder: https://www.instagram.com/adamteeter

Produced and edited by: https://www.instagram.com/dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing VinePair’s Newest Podcast The Buildout Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Introducing The Buildout — launching next week.

Every great bar has a story. We’re going behind the scenes with the people who built them: the founders, dreamers, and industry legends shaping the world’s most inspiring drinking destinations. From Maison Premiere to The Dead Rabbit, Long Island Bar, Schmuck, and beyond — this is how the world’s best bars get built.

Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder @adamteeter

Produced and edited by @dolldoctor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The McKirdy Martini Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

After hundreds of cocktails, countless techniques, and one unforgettable journey through the art of mixology, Cocktail College is closing the tab. For our final session, we’re doing something a little different: Timis stepping into the guest seat to share his personal Martini recipe and reflect on what makes the Martini such an iconic cocktail. If you’d like to follow Tim’s next chapter, you can find him on Instagram @timmckirdy. In the meantime, let’s enjoy one last Martini together!

Tim McKirdy's Martini Recipe

- 3 ½ ounces London Dry gin, such Tanqueray or Ford’s

- ½ ounce Dolin dry vermouth

- 2 dashes Regans’ orange bitters

- Garnish: lemon twist

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled.

3. Strain into a frozen Coupe glass.

4. Express and discard lemon twist to garnish.

📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com

🍸Follow us:

- VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/

- Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The (Re)Gibson Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Is the Gibson a garnish, a riff, or a true standalone cocktail? In this episode, Sother Teague returns to Cocktail College to unpack his favorite pickled-onion Martini. From origins and oddities to the art of pickling itself, we explore what makes the Gibson unique — and why it’s become both a personal and community touchstone for Sother. Listen on (or read below) to discover Sother's Gibson recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Sother Teague's Gibson Recipe

- 2 ½ ounces London Dry gin, such as Hayman's

- ½ ounce Dolin dry vermouth

- 1-2 bar spoons Rakkyo brine

- Garnish: 3 pickled rakkyos

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled.

3. Strain into a frozen Nick & Nora or Coupe glass.

4. Garnish with 1-3 pickled and chilled rakkyos.

📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com

🎧 Related episodes:

(7) The Gibson

(54) Dirty Martini

🍸Follow us:

- VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/

- Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/

- Sother: https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk/

- Amor y Amargo: https://www.instagram.com/amoryamargo/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Corpse Reviver No. 1 Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Not all Corpse Revivers are created equal. No. 1 is dark, stirred, and elusive — a Cognac, apple brandy, and vermouth build codified in the Savoy but often overshadowed by its brighter sibling. Ben Hopkins of Brooklyn’s Pitts and Agi’s Counter joins Cocktail College to explore lineage, balance, and what it means to revive a drink with no citrus safety net. Listen on (or read below) to discover Ben's Corpse Reviver No. 1 recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Ben Hopkins' Corpse Reviver No. 1 Recipe

- 4 dashes Regans' orange bitters

- 1 ounce Method sweet vermouth

- 1 ounce Distillerie La Monnerie Calvados

- 1 ounce D'Ussé XO Cognac (or Hennessy VSOP)

- Garnish: grapefruit twist

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled.

3. Double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or brandy snifter.

4. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com