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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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.