David Klemt
David Klemt is a Partner, Senior Consultant, and Thought Leader at KRG Hospitality, where he is recognized for his world-class understanding of hospitality trends, innovation, and the psychology behind memorable guest experiences. Operating at the intersection of creativity and execution, David brings a rare blend of cultural insight and operational clarity to every concept he helps shape.
Driven by a deep passion for music, history, and motorcycling, David approaches hospitality as both an art and a discipline. He is a curator of meaningful moments, translating bold ideas into guest loyalty, increased revenue, and distinctive brand identity for bars, restaurants, nightlife venues, and hotels around the world.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force, David relocated to one of the global capitals of hospitality, Las Vegas, where he immersed himself in the city’s legendary nightlife scene. His early roles included stints at nightclub Ice, after-hours hotspot Seven, and the upscale club Treasures.
In 2006, he became Head Writer and Managing Editor of Vegas Party Life, marking the beginning of a long career in hospitality media and education. As a journalist covering one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world, David developed a relentless curiosity about the business behind the experience. That curiosity continues today, as he actively tracks emerging trends across food, beverage, nightlife, and hotel concepts.
In 2012, David began covering the Nightclub & Bar Conference & Trade Show as a freelance contributor, later joining Nightclub & Bar full-time in 2015 as Editor of Nightclub.com. Over five years, he built an international network of owners, operators, chefs, bartenders, educators, and industry leaders.
Since 2020, David has hosted KRG Hospitality’s award-winning Bar Hacks Podcast, while serving as the firm’s senior strategist, coach, and consultant. He has spoken at the National Restaurant Show, Bar & Restaurant Expo, and the Flyover Conference, and remains committed to continuous learning — bringing fresh insight and strategic depth to every client engagement. David constantly seeks industry knowledge he can share with clients, most recently completing:
Food & Beverage Management (Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi)
Hospitality and Tourism Industry Essentials (NYU Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality)
BarSmarts (spirits and mixology course)
FUN FACT:
You can find David out on his motorcycle, visiting National Parks across the country, and hiking throughout the Southern US markets. Ready to meet with David?
Hosted by David Klemt, the Bar Hacks Podcast delivers practical advice and industry insights to help you grow your bar & restaurant business.
This book explores how to hit the reset button on your business, covering new operating models, guest expectations, and ways to innovate.
Covering the fundamentals of creating an epic bar concept, it has sold over 3,000 copies and continues to be a go-to resource for operators around the world.
Recent Articles
Six Traits Quantify Cool
A team of researchers published the results of an experiment spanning several years, nearly 6,000 participants, and a dozen countries to quantify cool.
Who Really Owns the Kitchen?
Who owns the kitchen? One of our favorites, Chef Brian Duffy, has some thoughts, and they boil down to taking ownership of the systems.
Cultivating a Legacy Mindset
We talk about legacy in restaurant, bar, and hotel brands like it’s something that happens once the awards start rolling in.
