Blair Papagni is a Licensing Specialist with Warren Kalyan. Blair is a lifelong New Yorker and a twenty-year veteran of the restaurant industry, having owned and operated several beloved Brooklyn establishments and consulted for bars, restaurants, and nonprofits across the city.

Blair brings vast experience navigating New York City and New York State administrative and regulatory licensing issues. She regularly represents clients before community boards, local stakeholders, and state agencies, guiding them through hearings, public meetings, and the often-complex approval processes required to open or expand a hospitality business. Her deep familiarity with everything from SLA licensing to municipal permitting makes her an invaluable advocate for operators at every stage.

Blair’s strengths lie in the relationships she builds with clients as they move through the licensing process, whether it’s their first venture or their tenth. Having stood in their shoes as an owner and operator, she understands the pressures and nuances of bringing a hospitality business to life. Rooted in hospitality herself, Blair is fond of reminding staff before a busy shift:

“Service is what I give you; hospitality is how I make you feel.”

She brings that same philosophy to her licensing work: it’s never just about checking boxes, but about understanding the unique needs and goals of each client.

Outside of work, Blair enjoys boxing, playing Scrabble, and cheering on her favorite team, the New York Knicks…she proudly bleeds orange and blue.