The Speakeasy

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.

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.

What’s more punk rock than opening a cocktail bar in a strip mall? A psychedelic harp maybe? Bartender and lifelong musician Paul Finn knows a little something about both after opening up Little Gem in Chapel Hill, NC. Together with Greg, Sother and Damon he unpacks his philosophy for hiring, training and explaining new concepts to guests, making the transition from bartender to bar owner, and of course how his love of music built the concept for his new bar, consciously or otherwise.

PLUS, Happy Burns Night lads and lassies! The Scottish Cinco de Mayo is upon us, leading to a lively discussion about whether this holiday should be celebrated by everyone, or whether it’s better to leave it to folks in the know.

Follow Paul at @stardustbeverage
Follow Little Gem at @littlegembar

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.

Rob Lam-Burns has bartended all over the world: Thailand, Hong Kong, Maison Premiere and now LenLen, a new Thai spot in the Flatiron district. He joins Greg and Sother to talk about his philosophy behind putting new and unexpected flavors in front of people, the divisive magic of Durian, “the king of fruits” and of course, professional skateboarding.

PLUS, chili and cinnamon rolls? A culinary sensation from the great state of Nebraska gets its time in the limelight, and Greg and Sother discuss how refreshing it is that there are still some things in life yet to be explored.

Follow Rob at @rob.hlss
Follow LenLen at @lenlen.nyc

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
Read JJ’s article on Chili & Cinnamon Rolls: flatwaterfreepress.org/chili-and-cinnamon-rolls-warm-welcoming-and-a-little-unexpected-just-like-nebraska/
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.

New Year, New Us! We were awfully mean to the good people of Lansing, MI and in 2026 we’re going to do better, starting today. To help us make good on this resolution, Gregg Smyth and Brian Phillips of Phillips Cider Bar in Lansing sat down to tell us why the capital of the Wolverine state is actually a pretty cool place. Plus, they delve into the history of their sixth generation orchard, talk about the transition to making hard ciders, and help us pick the new town we’ll be dumping on for the next 365 days.
PLUS The Speakeasy turns 15! Greg, Sother and Damon reminisce about episode 1 and reflect on how the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Follow Phillips Cider at @phillipsorchards
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.