The Speakeasy

Greg and Sother are back in the pool at Tales of the Cocktail 2026! On Day Four they’re joined by Shawn Lickliter and Vay Su, the owners of Vandell in Los Angeles which is up for best new cocktail bar at this year’s Spirited Awards. They discuss what makes Los Angeles different from New York City, their approach to inventing drinks (and when you cease tweaking a classic and start inventing something new) and what the incredible success of their bar has meant to them and their team. Then everyone gets a poolside spritz delivery, courtesy of Luxardo.

PLUS Charlotte returns to talk about her career in the industry, going from bartender to brand rep to her current position at Tales, and what she’s looking forward to in the hospitality industry.

Follow Shawn at @shawninverta
Follow Vay at @bearandstone
Follow Vandell at @vandell.losangeles
Follow Luxardo at @luxardousa

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with cold hard water 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
Learn more about Luxardo at luxardousa.com
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.

Greg and Sother are back in the pool at Tales of the Cocktail 2026! On Day Three they tough out tropical storm Bertha with Kate Gerwin, the owner of Albuqurque’s Happy Accidents and a Top Four Finalist for Best US Bar Mentor. Kate walks through her philosophy of bar mentorship, how her feelings on being a mentor have evolved over the years, and what it’s like to go from bartender to bar owner. Plus, she teases her new concept Bad Apple over some delicious apple brandy from Laird’s

PLUS, Charlotte Voisey joins Greg and Sother to talk about the good work Tales of the Cocktail Foundation does behind the scenes.

Follow Kate at @alchemistkate
Follow Happy Accidents at @happyaccidentsbar
Follow Laird’s at @lairdsapplejack

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with cold hard water 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
Learn more about Laird’s at lairdandcompany.com
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.

Greg and Sother are back in the pool at Tales of the Cocktail 2026! On Day Two they sit down with Taln Rojanavanich from Bar Us in Bangkok. Talk is up for three awards at this year’s spirited awards including Best Cocktail Menu, Best International Bar Team and Best International Cocktail Bar, presented by Gruppo Montenegro. They discuss the bar scene in Thailand, her approach to designing one of the best bars in the world, and what it feels like representing Asia at Tales of the Cocktail. And as a bonus, expect a lot of talk about Thai Street Food.

PLUS, Charlotte Voisey joins Greg and Sother to talk about this year’s festival and how its theme, Spark, is inspiring her to inspire others.

Follow Taln at @taln
Follow Bar Us at @bar.us.bkk

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with cold hard water 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
Learn more about Gruppo Montenegro at gruppomontenegro.com
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.

Greg and Sother are back in the pool at Tales of the Cocktail 2026! For the first day of Tales they’re joined by Libby Lingua from Highball in Phoenix, who’s a Spirited Award top four finalist for Best US Bartender, presented by Brown-Forman. Libby discusses the down-to-earth approach to bartending she’s cultivated at Highball (including a pony beer and hotdog combo) her time at Century Grand and its legacy of experiential bars, and how she deals with being recognized by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation as one of the best bartenders in the country.

PLUS, Charlotte Voisey joins Greg and Sother to discuss her career working with the TotC foundation in New Orleans, and the Tuesday seminar that lights a spark in her.

Follow Libby at @oolalibby
Follow Highball at @highballphx

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with cold hard water agents in your community visit nouswithoutyou.la/ and @thenycalliance
Learn more about Old Forester and Brown-Forman at brown-forman.com
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.

A lot’s changed since Tommy Tardie opened the Flatiron Room in 2012. New York is different, guests are different… and Tommy’s expanded the business from a whiskey bar to an award-winning restaurant and jazz club, as well as to a second New York location and a third one coming soon in Miami. Tommy talks about lessons from the last decade and a half, including what he’s learned from amassing a massive whiskey collection, what being a type-A creative means for you as a business owner, and how a career in advertising prepared him for life as a bar owner.
PLUS it’s Tales of the Cocktail time baby! Greg and Sother are going to be at the festival all next week poolcasting, so tune in for daily updates and more than a few drinks.

Follow Tommy at @tommytardie
Follow the bars at @theflatironroom_nomad, @theflatironroom_murrayhill and @theflatironroom_miami

LINKS
Become a Regular: patreon.com/SpeakeasyRegulars
For resources on dealing with cold hard water 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.