Industry Night: Cocktails, Caviar & the Perfect Martini at RPM Italian

When Ben Lieppman is in town from Chicago, you sit down, grab a cocktail and start asking questions.
This week on Industry Night, I’m at RPM Italian talking all things cocktails, bar culture, and what makes one of DC’s busiest bar programs actually work. We get into the philosophy behind RPM’s bar and how they balance polished and approachable
And yes, we talk about the RPM Dirty Martini.
 

We also dig into what people are drinking right now from low-ABV cocktails to non-alcoholic options and why making a great mocktail requires just as much intention as anything behind the bar.
 

Plus:
How RPM curates exclusive single-barrel selections
Keeping cocktail menus fresh while honoring the classics
What great hospitality actually looks like from behind the bar
And of course, I had to ask: If Ben’s ordering for me…what am I drinking?
 

You’ll have to tune in to find out. Watch the full episode here and watch it here.