Episode 72

074 | Danil Nevsky | Hospitality vs. Drinks Industry: Navigating the Bartender-Brand Relationship | Indie Bartender

In this episode, I host the legendary Indie Bartender, Cocktailman Danil Nevsky for a deep dive into the dynamic world of bartending and brand interactions.

We discuss the evolution of the hospitality and drinks industry, and tackle the ongoing disconnect between bartenders and brand managers.

Danil offers insightful critiques on the state of the industry, sharing anecdotes and observations on brand ambassadors' roles, the rise of cocktail culture, and the generational shift in bartending.

We also explore the adaptation of bar experiences to be more consumer-friendly and the critical role of social media in modern bartending.

The episode is both a nostalgic look back and a hopeful glance forward, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the symbiotic relationship between bars and brands. I hope you will enjoy our chat


NB It contains Hard Language, which is not suitable for all audiences.


Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:20 Meet Danil Nevsky: Indie Bartender

02:29 The Disconnect Between Bartenders and Brands

04:20 The Evolution of the Spirits Industry

06:22 Generational Drinking and Market Changes

07:59 The Role of Brand Ambassadors

09:21 The Impact of Social Media and Technology

13:14 Challenges in Brand and Bar Collaboration

16:04 The Future of Bartending and Brand Interactions

38:04 The Evolution of Cocktail Content Creators

38:44 The Oral Tradition of Bartending

39:12 The Impact of Content Creators on Bartending

44:14 Brand Relationships in the Bar Industry

46:43 Balancing Brand and Bar Dynamics

51:47 The Role of Bartenders in Enhancing Customer Experience

55:47 Cultural Influences on Cocktail Culture

01:06:16 The Future of Cocktail Culture

01:10:35 Final Thoughts and Farewell


About The Host: Chris Maffeo

About The Guest: Danil Nevsky

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About the Podcast

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The MAFFEO DRINKS Podcast
Brands Are Built Bottom-up.

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About your host

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Chris Maffeo

With 20 years of experience working for some of the biggest drinks brands across 30+ markets, I've developed a unique understanding of how brands grow in today's market.
Now, I help drinks brands build sustainable growth through bottom-up demand creation.
My methodology focuses on how brand demand spreads - from initial venue adoption to international expansion.
I teach brands how to create, convert, and sustain demand across the three critical stages of growth: from one bottle to one case to one pallet.
My expertise lies in understanding how brands grow through genuine advocacy, from bar to bar, city to city, and building foundations that enable natural scaling.
Through consulting, training, and speaking engagements, I help brands:
• Build sustainable demand from the ground up
• Systematize their approach to building brands city by city
• Navigate the path from local success to international growth
• Develop strategies based on occasions rather than demographics