In this episode, Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network and Bartender Spirits Awards, sits down with Peter Vestinos, Partner and Beverage Director at Sparrow Chicago, for an in-depth conversation on what it really takes to design and operate a successful bar from the ground up.

Peter shares his creative process behind iconic concepts like Sparrow and Bisous, revealing how location, music, interior design, and menu direction all work together to create a cohesive guest experience. From the first sketch to the opening night, he explains how to communicate your bar’s vision to designers, architects, and your team, and why functionality is just as important as aesthetics.

The discussion also covers menu engineering, staff training, and recruitment strategies that align with the concept of the bar, ensuring that every detail supports the story you want to tell through your space and your drinks.