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The Buildout

VinePair

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 Adam Teeter

A podcast from The VinePair podcast network.

vinepair.com

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

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29 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 2 min
English

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S1 · E48
Yesterday · 1 hr 13 min
Jewel of the South
Believe it or not, one of New Orleans’ most celebrated cocktail bars was never supposed to be a bar at all. But an annual Halloween party, a shared passion for historic cocktails, and an eleventh-hour clause in a city ordinance banning Airbnb rentals in the French Quarter would change everything. The result was Jewel of the South, one of the most acclaimed cocktail bars in the country. On this episode of The Buildout, Adam sits down with owner John Stubbs to discuss his unconventional journey from politics to hospitality, what makes New Orleans such a special city for drinking, and how a Halloween party he threw with legendary bartender Chris Hannah sparked a friendship and partnership that would ultimately lead them to open Jewel of the South together. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Jewel of the South: https://www.instagram.com/jewelnola/ John Stubbs: https://www.instagram.com/stubbsnola/ 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.
S1 · E47
October 7 · 1 hr 21 min
Capitaine
When Cody Pruitt opened Libertine, the acclaim was immediate. The restaurant became one of the hardest reservations in New York, while its saucisse-purée quickly took on a life of its own. But three years later, the initial fervor had faded, and filling the dining room every night was no longer as easy as it once had been. Pruitt made the difficult decision to close Libertine and transform the space into a new concept: Capitaine. Drawing on both the successes and shortcomings of Libertine, he set out to create a restaurant that would be easier for regulars to return to again and again. Pruitt joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss what he learned from Libertine and how he arrived at the tough decision to start over. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Capitaine: https://www.instagram.com/capitainenyc Cody Pruitt: https://www.instagram.com/codycpruitt 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.
S1 · E46
September 30 · 58 min
Mírate
From the first time Max Reis visited Mexico, he was hooked. What began as an obsession grew into a deep passion for agave and Mexican spirits, eventually making Reis one of the foremost authorities on the category in America. That knowledge and respect for the culture behind the spirits led him to open Mírate and Daisy, two Mexican spirits-focused bars serving some of the most exciting and inventive cocktails in the country — all while honoring the spirits, traditions, and people who make them. Max joins Adam on The Buildout to talk about his journey, how he views the current Los Angeles bar scene, and why honoring the people and culture of Mexico remains central to everything he does. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Mírate: https://www.instagram.com/mirate.losangeles Daisy: https://www.instagram.com/daisy.losangeles Maxwell Reis: https://www.instagram.com/beerghost 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.
S1 · E45
September 23 · 1 hr 11 min
Andrew Carmellini
Andrew Carmellini has spent the past decade building one of New York’s most successful restaurant groups. From the breakout success of Locanda Verde, opened with Robert De Niro, to hits like The Dutch and Bar Primi, NoHo Hospitality has repeatedly shown an ability to understand what New Yorkers want to eat and drink. The group has even created bona fide cultural phenomena along the way, from Frosé to the viral Suprême pastry. Carmellini joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to talk about his career, the rise of NoHo Hospitality, and what it takes to keep creating restaurants that resonate in New York. He also explains why he wishes more diners would put down their phones and stop letting “the box” tell them where — and what — to eat and drink. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Andrew Carmellini: https://www.instagram.com/andrewcarmellini 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.
S1 · E44
September 16 · 51 min
Bar Bambi
Katie Renshaw simply loves being behind the bar. That passion has helped make her one of the best bartenders in the country, from winning World Class in 2019 to leading some of Chicago’s most acclaimed bar programs. But despite all of that success, she had never owned a bar of her own. Until now. Bar Bambi is the culmination of Renshaw’s experience, personality, and creativity — a bar that takes drinks seriously without ever taking itself too seriously, and one that has quickly started attracting attention in Chicago and beyond. Renshaw joins Adam on The Buildout to talk about why she finally decided to take the leap into ownership, what it took to bring Bar Bambi to life, and what she learned from doing it all on her own. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Bar Bambi: https://www.instagram.com/bambi_chicago Katie Renshaw: https://www.instagram.com/jiggermetimbers 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.
S1 · E43
September 9 · 1 hr
Popina
How did James O’Brien build the restaurant where seemingly every sommelier in New York wants to drink wine on their night off? The prices are certainly part of the appeal, but Popina’s location is hardly the most convenient. Its success comes from something deeper. It begins with the hospitality of the owner, which carries through to the entire staff, and a shared commitment to creating a restaurant that feels inviting, delicious, and accessible. James joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss how he created a restaurant that is both a destination and a neighborhood spot filled with regulars—even when many of those regulars live nowhere nearby. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Popina: https://www.instagram.com/popinanyc James O’Brien: https://www.instagram.com/obsworld 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.
S1 · E42
September 2 · 39 min
The Violet Hour
Toby Maloney is one of the country’s most respected cocktail creators, responsible not only for multiple modern classics, but also for some of drinkers’ favorite bars across the country. Through his consulting business, he has been involved in more projects than even he can name, but the bar he is best known for is Chicago’s The Violet Hour. On this episode of The Buildout, Toby joins Adam to talk about how The Violet Hour came to be, the impact it had on Chicago’s cocktail scene, and the legacy it leaves behind following its recent closing. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Toby Maloney: https://www.instagram.com/tobycocktail 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.
S1 · E41
August 26 · 1 hr 7 min
Kidilum
Building a celebrated restaurant group in New Jersey is already an accomplishment. Bringing that success across the Hudson to New York City is another challenge entirely—one many restaurateurs never even attempt. But Sidharth Sharma and Sammeer A. Raajpal were determined to try. With Kidilum, their celebration of Kerala cuisine in Manhattan, they are betting that the same commitment to hospitality and showing guests a wonderful time that fueled their success in New Jersey can also resonate in New York. Sidharth and Sammeer join Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss how they built their restaurant group, why they were confident their approach would translate to New York City, and what it takes to make the leap into one of the world’s most competitive dining markets. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Kidilum: https://www.instagram.com/kidilum.nyc 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.
S1 · E40
August 19 · 1 hr 6 min
New York Distilling
New York Distilling Company was born out of New York’s cocktail renaissance. Founded by Allen Katz, an entrepreneur obsessed with cocktails and the bars creating them, the distillery was built as a brand for New York bartenders. Katz also turned New York Distilling into a destination for the liquid-curious, creating a hands-on experience in Williamsburg where both aficionados and novices could learn more about spirits and cocktails. Since its founding, the brand has become a mainstay behind bars across New York, but Katz always believed it could become something bigger. That ambition ultimately led him to sell the company this past year. Allen joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss founding one of New York State’s first distilleries after Prohibition, building the brand, and preparing it to go global. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast New York Distilling: https://www.instagram.com/nydistilling Allen Katz: https://www.instagram.com/nydistilleryman 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.
S1 · E39
August 12 · 53 min
Oriana
Opening a restaurant in New York is difficult, even when the people behind it come from one of the best restaurants in the world. When Cedric Nicaise and chef Andy Quinn set out to open The Noortwyck, they wanted to create a true West Village neighborhood restaurant—something very different from the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, where they had both previously worked. But building the restaurant has not been easy, a reality Cedric is refreshingly candid about. Some days, he admits, it can still feel nearly impossible. At the same time, The Noortwyck created the opportunity for them to open Oriana, their more approachable take on fine dining, which is already attracting attention and acclaim. Cedric joins Adam on this episode of The Buildout to discuss learning from mistakes, the importance of service and hospitality, and what restaurant critics get right—and wrong—about the dining experience. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Oriana: https://www.instagram.com/oriana.nyc Cedric Nicaise: https://www.instagram.com/cedlovesbacon 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.
S1 · E38
August 5 · 54 min
Handshake Speakeasy
Handshake Speakeasy seems to be everywhere these days, from starring in commercials for 1800 Tequila to being named the number one bar in the world. For anyone visiting Mexico City, missing the chance to have a drink at this acclaimed bar can inspire some serious FOMO. But its success was far from inevitable. It took years of starts, stops, and setbacks to finally get Handshake off the ground. Once it opened, however, the response was immediate. The bar offered something distinctly different from the cocktail destinations that had come before it in Mexico City, and its arrival helped further cement CDMX as one of the world’s most exciting drinking destinations. Co-owners Eric and Rodrigo join Adam on this episode of The Buildout to tell the story of how Handshake Speakeasy came to be. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Handshake Speakeasy: https://www.instagram.com/handshake_bar Eric van Beek: https://www.instagram.com/ericvanbeek.carino Rodrigo Urraca: https://www.instagram.com/rurraca 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.
S1 · E37
July 29 · 1 hr
Claud
Chase Sinzer knew from an early age that he wanted to own a restaurant, pursuing that dream through high school and college before making his way to New York City to work for some of the best restaurateurs in the business. His first project, Claud, has been a breakout success, earning three stars from The New York Times, becoming one of the city’s hardest reservations to land, and establishing itself as one of the best places in New York to drink wine. But the thing that may have put Claud on the map in the first place wasn’t the service, the wine, or the entrées. It was a slice of chocolate cake. On this episode of The Buildout, Chase joins Adam to talk about building Claud, how to move from one success to the next, and why he offers finance classes to any member of his restaurant staff who wants to learn. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Claud: https://www.instagram.com/claud_nyc 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.
S1 · E36
July 22 · 36 min
Allegory
Allegory DC was never supposed to become a 50 Best bar. But when Covid hit, the entire team left, and Deke Dunne found himself the last man standing. What followed was a complete transformation: a bar built around storytelling, creativity, and craft. On this episode of The Buildout, Deke joins Adam to talk about how that disruption gave him the chance to create the bar he had envisioned from the start, assemble one of D.C.’s most talented bar teams, and turn Allegory into a destination bar that helped raise the profile of the hotel it’s located in. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Allegory: https://www.instagram.com/allegory_dc Deke Dunne: https://www.instagram.com/deke_dc 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.
S1 · E35
July 15 · 1 hr 4 min
Dante
For many, Dante is the bar that put New York’s modern cocktail scene back on the map. After rising to the top of the World’s 50 Best Bars list in just a few short years, it helped usher in a new era of cocktail culture in the city. But what exactly is Dante? A cocktail bar? A restaurant? Something in between? And how do you grow a brand nationally and internationally without losing the magic that made it special in the first place? On this episode of The Buildout, owner Linden Pride joins Adam to tell the story behind Dante, and how he and his wife and partner, Nathalie, have expanded it beyond anything they first imagined while preserving the spark that made it iconic. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Dante: https://www.instagram.com/dantenewyorkcity Linden Pride: https://www.instagram.com/lindenpride 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.
S1 · E34
July 8 · 59 min
Echo Lake
What happens when a celebrated cocktail journalist and one of the country’s foremost rum authorities join forces? The result is Echo Lake. But opening the bar proved more challenging than either expected. Chloe Frechette had spent her career covering bars, not opening them, while Paul McGee had built his reputation in Chicago, not New York. On this episode of The Buildout, Chloe and Paul join Adam to talk about the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and how they created one of the most exciting new additions to the cocktail and rum scenes. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Echo Lake: https://www.instagram.com/echolakebar Chloe Frechette: https://www.instagram.com/chloefrechette Paul McGee: https://www.instagram.com/bagchatter 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.
S1 · E33
July 1 · 53 min
Nine Bar
Taking over a decades-old family restaurant is daunting enough. Turning it into a cocktail bar in Chicago’s Chinatown — a neighborhood without a high-end cocktail destination — raises the stakes even more. But partners Lily Wang and Joe Briglio embraced the challenge, bringing Lily’s family along for the ride. The result is Nine Bar, one of the most exciting new additions to Chicago’s cocktail scene, drawing drinkers to a neighborhood many had never considered for cocktails. On this episode of The Buildout, Lily and Joe join Adam to share how it came together, from navigating family dynamics to honoring the culture of the neighborhood. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Nine Bar: https://www.instagram.com/ninebarchicago Lily Wang: https://www.instagram.com/lw4ng Joe Briglio: https://www.instagram.com/joebrigs 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.
S1 · E32
June 24 · 49 min
The Keefer Bar
Opened in 2009, The Keefer Bar quickly became one of Vancouver’s essential cocktail destinations. But what happens when a beloved local institution suddenly finds itself on the national—and international—stage? In 2026, Keefer was named Best Bar in Canada, and a new wave of attention followed. On this episode of The Buildout, we tell the story of The Keefer Bar: how it helped shape Vancouver’s cocktail culture, influenced Canada’s bar scene at large, and is now navigating what comes next after reaching the top. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast The Keefer Bar: https://www.instagram.com/thekeeferbar Keenan Hood: https://www.instagram.com/keenanhood Amber Bruce: https://www.instagram.com/amberbruce 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.
S1 · E31
June 17 · 49 min
Bitter & Twisted
When Ross Simon left London for the States, he set out to make his mark on the American cocktail scene. What he didn’t know was that mark would be made in Phoenix, Arizona — a city that, at the time, was hardly known for its drinks culture. But maybe that was part of the magic. Ross landed in Phoenix and, a few years later, opened Bitter & Twisted, a cocktail bar that not only helped make his name, but also put the city on the map as a serious cocktail destination. On this episode of The Buildout, Ross joins Adam to tell the story of Bitter & Twisted and how its success helped transform Phoenix into one of America’s most exciting cocktail cities. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Bitter & Twisted: https://www.instagram.com/bitterandtwisted_az 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.
S1 · E30
June 10 · 1 hr 14 min
Joseph Leonard
From the moment Joseph Leonard opened, it was nearly impossible to get a table. The restaurant had an energy from day one that made diners want to spend their evenings there — even if it meant waiting hours for a seat. Owner Gabe Stulman credits that energy, at Joseph Leonard and across all great restaurants, to the bar. On this episode of The Buildout, Gabe joins Adam to discuss Joseph Leonard, the heartfelt ode to his grandfathers that helped launch his hospitality company, and cement his place as one of New York City’s most influential restaurateurs. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast Joseph Leonard: https://www.instagram.com/josephleonardny Gabe Stulman: https://www.instagram.com/gabestulman 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.
S1 · E29
June 3 · 58 min
True Laurel
Ask anyone in the cocktail world where the energy is on the West Coast right now, and one name keeps coming up: True Laurel. On this episode of The Buildout, Adam sits down with Nicolas Torres to talk about how the San Francisco bar went from beloved neighborhood spot to one of the most talked-about cocktail destinations in the country. While the techniques Nicolas and his team are using may feel perfectly suited to this current moment in drinks, many have been part of True Laurel’s DNA since it opened in 2017. Nicolas reflects on building the bar before Covid, watching it gain national and international attention after the pandemic, and what it means to receive acclaim without having to become something else. Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/buildoutpodcast True Laurel: https://www.instagram.com/truelaurelsf Nicolas Torres: https://www.instagram.com/key2_thecity 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.

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