The Speakeasy

Latest Episodes:

Who Pulls a Better Budweiser Than Me? with Robby Dow Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

Where do you go for arguably the best pint of Budweiser in America? Why, Wilmington, North Carolina of course, where Robby Dow, formerly of Grand Army in Brooklyn, has opened his new place Bespoke which has been called, on this show, a perfect bar. He sits down to talk with Damon and Greg about the buildout, what it’s like developing a clientele of Regulars outside of a “major market” city, and why he takes incredible pride in serving the coldest Budweiser in town.

PLUS, a restaurant in Italy is bribing customers to lock up their phones during dinner with a free bottle of wine. Hear what Greg thinks about it (spoiler: positively) and why this trend might soon be catching on.

Follow Robby on instagram at @thevodkaartist

Follow Bespoke on instagram at @bespoke.nc

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast

Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You Can Take the Guy Out of the Bear Suit but You Can't Take the Bear Out of the Suits Guy with Anthony Moniello & Gabriel Macht Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

What do you do if the spokesperson for your brand is an actual bear? What if the creative partner for your brand is a famous actor from a hit TV show? CEO Anthony Moniello and Actor Gabriel Macht sit down to talk Bear Fight, their whiskey brand that has launched an American single malt, a bourbon aged in reposado tequila barrels, and isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Anthony and Gabriel talk about naming the brand, finding a place in a crowded marketplace, leaning into a new chapter after “Suits” blew up on Netflix, and the perils and upsides of funding a brand with retail investors

PLUS, the Staten Island Ferry is serving booze again, thank God. And, an old friend from Kansas City chimes in about a new challenge.

Follow Bear Fight on instagram at @bearfightwhiskey

Follow Gabriel on instagram at @iamgabrielmacht

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dine Fine with Funked Up Wine with Claire Paparazzo Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

What makes a good sommelier? Encyclopedic knowledge of the wine world? The ability to sell anything to anyone? Or something more empathetic and human? If anyone knows it’s Claire Paparazzo, Wine Director for Sunday Hospitality Group and the Hotel Chelsea. Drawing on her knowledge from such iconic places as Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Claire chats with Greg about the challenge of running four properties under one roof, the art of making wine approachable, and why the fad for natural wine and orange wine probably springs from somewhere deep and sick and wonderful in our collective psyche. And, she talks about the time she almost got mauled by a pig.

PLUS, are AI somms coming for our jobs? Greg offers an oddly hopeful take on whether that industry’s days are numbered

Follow Claire at @clairepaparazzo

Follow her documentary work at @wineifyouwantto

Follow her art at @jasperheart2021

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You'll Never Find a More Pleasant Hive of Vibes and Hospitality with Patrick Shanahan Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

In another Boomerang! episode from Raleigh, North Carolina Greg sits down with Patrick Shanahan in his new bar space Rosebud to talk about the space, the buildout, and what it took to incorporate influences ranging from Japanese hi-fi lounges to spaghetti westerns to midcentury modern aesthetic. Then, they dive into the vibe and culture of North Carolina’s capital city to discuss where it’s been and where it’s going next.

PLUS, are savory cocktails the new mezcal? Greg and Patrick discuss.

Follow Patrick at @pmshanahan

Follow Rosebud at @rosebudraleigh

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
The Business Insider article about Zoomers and dive bars: businessinsider.com/gen-z-exclusive-restaurants-regularmaxxing-central-perk-2026-1
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Texas v. Kentucky: Battle of the Bourbons! with Heather Greene Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

What is Texification, and why do it to Kentucky whiskey? Heather Greene, Master Blender of Milam & Greene hops on with Greg and Sother to answer that very question. She delves into what the unique climate of Texas does to a barrel of bourbon (or rye), what place whiskey occupies in our lives these days, and how she met the partners in her whiskey supergroup in the first place.

PLUS, the kids are alright, but the way journalists cover them still sucks. Greg and Sother break down a recent piece about how Zoomers have “discovered” dive bars and discuss what it might mean for the “Gen Z doesn’t drink” narrative.

Follow Milam & Greene at @milamandgreenewhiskey

Follow Heather at @thewhiskeyauthority

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
The Business Insider article about Zoomers and dive bars: businessinsider.com/gen-z-exclusive-restaurants-regularmaxxing-central-perk-2026-1
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Triple Barrel-Aged Tequila with Natasha Sofia Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Ever age tequila in oak, cherry AND acacia barrels? Mijenta Tequila has and Natasha Sofia, their Global Advocacy Director, is here to tell us about it. She dives into their aging process, sustainability, and what it means to actually win the award for Best US Brand Ambassador at Tales of the Cocktail.

Editor's note: at 3:46 Natasha misspoke: the second type of wood used is Cherry, not French Oak.

PLUS, an update on BrewDog’s attempt to sell itself and what it means for the future of craft beer… and cannabis!

Follow Natasha at @natasha_sofia

Follow Mijenta Tequila at @mijentatequila

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hennessy After Dark with Sean Johnson Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

In a special late night edition of The Speakeasy Hennessy Ambassador Sean Johnson joins Greg and Sother to talk about the historic cognac brand’s legacy, the art of selling a spirit everyone thinks they already understand, and what it was like to start this job in summer of 2020, when not much was happening really. Sean also gets into Hennessy’s roots in Black culture and his recent experience at Bar Five Day, the Navy SEAL training of the bar world.

PLUS, a happy and solemn Lent to all who celebrate. Sother unpacks the surprisingly jovial history of lenten beers and how they made fasting fun. And Greg has officially returned from Las Vegas, albeit a little worse for wear.

Follow Sean at @wellbalancedsean

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington, Drink City with Nycci Nellis Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Who are better customers, Democrats or Republicans? Nycci Nellis, longtime Washington, DC food and drinks writer, radio host, consultant and more sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about the cocktail scene in the nation’s capital. Together they talk business, branding, wine and which political party is better for local businesses… all while reminiscing about some of their favorite establishments in the DMV

PLUS, Greg was on a different podcast and learned something shocking about one of his favorite bars. Sometimes you really can’t go home and drink a hubcap full of margarita again…

Follow Nycci at @nyccinellis

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

That Lifestyle Brand Lifestyle with Rashaun Hall Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Is Branded Content the future of journalism? Or put another way, does a news outlet that springs out of a lifestyle brand hold the keys for journalism’s survival? That’s what Rashaun Hall, Editor-in-Chief of The Whiskey Lifestyle is here to discuss. He sits down with Greg and Sother to talk about transforming from a music into a spirits and cocktail journalist and whether retail holds the key to independent news’s future. They also get into diversity in the drinks space and what’s doing alright vs. what needs to improve.

PLUS, if you found a porron of delicious martini buried in one of New York City’s many semi-permanent snowbanks right now… would you drink it? Be honest.

Follow Rashaun at @bartimestories

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Support the Salt Cure Fund at thesaltcurefund.org
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Northern Exposure with Kristin Rose Pike Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Canadian Whisky? Heck yeah. Canadian Gin? I mean sure, why not? Canadian Wine??? Now we’re getting weird. Kristin Rose Pike, Founder of Northern Rose Selections joins Greg and Damon to talk about the delicious drinks made by our neighbors to the north, from gin to amaretto to cold weather wines. She talks about the terroir of the highest tide in the world, the increasingly tense bourbon diplomacy between the US and Canada, and whether or not Canadian Whisky is poised for a massive comeback.

PLUS, let it snow, let it snow, let is snow! Most of the country is frozen in and Greg & Damon compare their blizzard beverages of choice.

Follow Northern Rose Selections at @northernroseselections

LINKS

Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with ICE agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
The Speakeasy is now on YouTube! Tune in to “see” what we’re talking about at youtube.com/@Speakeasy.Podcast
Check out Quiote Imports at quioteimports.com and use promo code “Speakeasy” to get free shipping at checkout.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.