From Cynar to putting ACME Bar on the Whiskey map—Jennifer Seidman on Owning Your Voice and Reimagining Bar Culture in the Bay

In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Seidman—visionary owner of Acme Bar and Little Bird Bar—who’s helped shape the landscape of Bay Area bar scene for over two decades. Jennifer’s story begins with a paper route in Palo Alto, winds through the chaos of flyering for nightclubs in San Francisco, and lands in North Beach bars where she learned to bartend by saying yes and figuring it out later.

Jennifer reflects on the days when women weren’t allowed behind the bar—when the only entry point was cocktail waitressing. That didn’t stop her. She earned her stripes, held her own, and eventually opened Acme Bar in 2002 in what used to be a smoky, carpeted dive called Mike and Mary’s. We hear how a single $20 pour of Hudson Baby Bourbon put Acme on the whiskey map, landing her in Bourbon Review and Whiskey Advocate.

We get into: 🥃 Her early days bartending in North Beach and working her way into the craft
🔥 Opening Acme in 2002 and witnessing the rise of “red bars” like Ruby, Radio, and Acme
🧼 Turning a carpeted, smoke-filled dive into a respected whiskey destination
🌟 How a $20 pour turned into a top level whiskey program and national whiskey recognition
🕊️ Reimagining Radio Bar as Little Bird—a softer, more intentional space grounded in community
💬 Her take on longevity, leadership, and why reinvention is part of survival

Jennifer’s voice is sharp, grounded, and unapologetically honest. She shares what it takes to stick around—not just to survive, but to evolve. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when you lead with integrity, learn from the hustle, and aren’t afraid to change the room you walk into.

🔗 Follow @acmebarandco and @littlebirdbar to tap into decades of Bay hospitality, poured with purpose.

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📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

We kick things off with a question we might regret: should we make a Walk-In Club version of 75-Hard? One that's focused on being attainable and fun for friends in our industry to participate in? From there, we dive into the idea of doing hard things—not because we “should,” but because of what we gain on the other side.

Nick opens up with his personal update on the pod (first shared, yes, we kept it in!), and Alex reflects on how hard it is to measure growth in real time—like at summer camp, when the lessons don’t hit until later. We also get into TikTok as a weirdly helpful productivity tool (maybe?), and whether filming your actions can actually keep you present. It’s confusing. We unpack it.

From there, we dive into:

• The “Effort Paradox”—why hard things often feel best after we do them
• The cartwheel challenge, and what it says about our resistance to play and failure
• The stress spectrum—moderate vs. severe—and how knowing the difference can help us grow without burning out
• Vulnerability as a gold nugget of life—if we’re brave enough to step into it
• The simple truth: we can’t control what others do, but we can control how we respond
• Being a teammate in every part of your life, and how small actions add up to something bigger

We close with a few community questions, a status update on our friend’s knees and ankles post-race (spoiler: they survived), and a very real conversation about stress-eating salami sticks. Don’t worry—we’ve got some solid snack swaps from the Meat Stick Masters. 

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📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

From the goal to be a barback to now accomplished Bar Owner—Gabriel Holland on Learning Through Experience and Leading With A Humble Heart

In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with Gabriel Holland, a gentle force in Oakland’s hospitality scene and the proud owner of Theory Bar. Gabe’s journey is one of quiet persistence—learning by watching, doing, and asking questions. From his first days busing at the Claremont Hotel to becoming a barback at Pican, he never rushed the process. Instead, he kept showing up, stayed curious, and let every role teach him something new.

As a food runner at Pican, Gabe began to understand one of the most important lessons in hospitality—how to bridge the gap between front of house and back of house. Learning patience and communication in the middle of that line helped shape the way he leads today. He shares how having supportive management during those early years gave him the kind of confidence that makes delegation feel respectful, not performative.

We explore:

🍽️ Starting at the iconic Claremont Hotel and a short pivot into retail before finding his way back into restaurants
🍸 Learning the craft of bartending on his own time—from shadowing to inventory to not grabbing pint glasses from the top
🤝 Bridging FOH and BOH and why early support from leadership helped shape the way he leads today
💥 Navigating the uncertainty of Covid and finding solid footing again
🏠 Opening Theory Bar with intention—not for status, but to build something rooted in care and community

Gabe shares the kind of wisdom that comes from showing up day after day, without the need to prove anything. His story is a reminder that success doesn’t always shout—it often can move quietly, guided by heart, humility, and a deep commitment to the craft.

🔗 Follow @thebar_theoryoakland and @g_keepitbogey to support the space and experience the care behind every pour.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

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📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

We kick off with Alex fresh from Mexico (again) and then roll into something special: introducing Ashley to the Monday crew! Ashley shares how they show up in life as a “secondary care physician” (aka, the friend who’s basically your unpaid therapist) and how deeply they care about making sure others feel seen and valued. We talk about the joy of working with a crew, the importance of listening with intention, and the power of creating community through authentic connection.

From there, we get into the meat of the episode:

Success vs. Perfection—why perfection isn’t real, and how practice, patience, and failing forward actually move us closer to meaningful success.

The myth that you need to have it all figured out before starting something. Spoiler: you don’t.

The being vs. doing mindset—how it’s not always about what you do but how you do it.

The classic “do you clean the mess or do you just throw some paper towels on it and keep moving?” question.

Giving ourselves permission to be learners, to practice, and to grow.

The simple, but not always easy, “5-second rule” to just start.

And, of course, we wrap up with a gratitude roundtable.

This episode is packed with laughs, reflection, and lots of gold nuggets—plus, we’re SO excited to welcome Ashley into this community.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation!

📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

We dive into how The Walk-In Club Podcast itself was born out of stepping into the unknown (hello, imposter syndrome) and how that’s led to more connection and purpose than we ever expected. From feeling charts and other tools to finding ways to support each other, we share how leaning into discomfort can actually open doors.

We also unpack vulnerability, the power of naming what feels awkward or hard, and how community helps us navigate the messier parts of growth. And of course, we take a moment to reflect on how grateful we are for this space—for the lessons, for each other, and for everyone tuning in.

No how-to guides, no expertise—just an honest conversation about how discomfort is often where real growth begins.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation!

📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

From Starbucks to Bar Consulting—How Casey Carr Built a Career on Systems, Creativity, and a Little Chaos

On this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with Casey Carr, who went from slinging coffee to becoming a respected bar consultant, opening over nine bars and helping shape the next generation of hospitality professionals. 

We explore:

🍺 How he started at Starbucks to his transition to BJ’s, formerly PJ's - learning to love systems in corporate restaurant culture
🔥 The "trial by fire" approach to learning and why being charismatically stupid is a secret weapon
🏗️ What it takes to build a successful bar program—from menu pricing to staff education
🏠 Why the concept of a third home is crucial to the future of hospitality

Casey breaks down the real work behind bar consulting (spoiler: it’s not as glamorous as it sounds) and shares what every bar owner should know before bringing in a consultant. Whether you’re a bartender, a bar owner, or just someone who loves a great cocktail, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

🔗 Follow @caseyisthatguy for more industry insights, consulting expertise, and a belly full of laughs.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

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📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

We’re in learning mode—figuring out how to make this podcast the best it can be for the community we’re building. But that got us thinking: what does checking in really mean? Is it about being present, or is there something deeper?

We explore the difference between showing up and checking in, how note-taking and relationship tracking (even through a CRM app—cheating or caring?) can help us stay connected, and whether we should bring back the lost art of sending notes, gifts, or even chain mail to the people we care about.

We dive into the idea that checking in requires a response—it’s not just a one-way street. We unpack how self-check-ins, routines, and tracking progress can help us show up for ourselves first, so we can be better for others. Plus, we answer some questions from the community.

No rules, no perfect answers—just an open, honest, and (as always) fun conversation about building deeper relationships, one check-in at a time. Because caring is cool.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

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📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

We explore the challenges and joys of building intentional connections, from the hospitality industry to our personal lives, and why it takes more than just showing up to create something meaningful. Nick guides us through this thoughtful (and sometimes tricky) conversation, raising questions that don’t always have easy answers—but definitely deserve to be asked.

Join us for the start of this honest, engaging conversation—with so much more to dive into to come. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation!

📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

From Starbucks to Speed Rack—How Kat Parsons Became a Force Behind the Bar

On this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we sit down with Kat Parsons, whose path from making frappuccinos as a teen to becoming a respected bartender in Oakland is a testament to passion, persistence, and putting in the reps.

We explore:

🍸 How she faked it till she made it—and learned everything she could along the way
🏆 Why Speed Rack was a game-changer for her career, from skills to friendships
🍹 The story behind her Babyface Assassin cocktail, inspired by Steph Curry
💡 How she kept regulars engaged during the pandemic when bars shut down
🤝 The importance of a dream team behind the bar and checking in on each other
 

Kat’s story is about hustle, learning, and community—whether you’re a bartender, an industry vet, or someone who just loves a good drink, you’ll want to hear this one.

🔗 Follow @killerkittenkaratechoppin for more cocktail inspiration and industry insights.

Checkout everything Speed-Rack HERE!

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation!

📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!

In this episode of The Walk-In Club Podcast, we focus on mastering the transitions into and out of work. We cover:

✅ Pre-shift rituals for mental clarity and energy boost
✅ The role of nutrition, hydration, and movement in starting the day right
✅ Post-shift decompression techniques to reclaim your calm
✅ Balancing structured routines with the unpredictable nature of work
✅ How small, intentional habits can redefine your entire day

Join us as we share our journey, celebrate the wins, and learn from the not-so-perfect moments—all in the pursuit of a healthier, more intentional work-life balance.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend. 

➕ Follow us on Instagram @WALK.IN.CLUB and join the conversation!

📨 Community Questions: Whether it’s about life in hospitality, wellness, work-life balance, or industry stories, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, comments & suggestions by sending in a DM or submitting them HERE!