John Ostrout
Greenwood,SC
Summary
Hardworking Bartender with experience in large-scale casual dining establishments. Committed to upholding highest standards of customer service and safe food handling practices. Well-versed mixologist with diverse menu of memorized drink recipes.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Bartender
Element Gastropub
02.2024 - 09.2024
- Kept detailed inventories and notified management of ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine, and bar supplies.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally, preserving positive relationships between the business and its clientele.
- Trained new bartenders on company policies, drink recipes, and customer service best practices to maintain consistent performance across the team.
- Upsold daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and crafting high-quality beverages.
Lead Bartender
Kork
11.2022 - 10.2023
- Kept detailed inventories and notified management of ordering needs for liquor, beer, wine and bar supplies
- Closed out cash register and prepared cashier report at close of business
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands
- Followed strict recipes and drink measurements to minimize product used
- Maintained secure cash drawers, promptly resolving discrepancies in daily totals
- Implemented drink prep procedures, significantly reducing wasted stock
- Poured and prepared mixed drinks for over Number customers daily
- Explained daily specials and beverage promotions to exceed daily sales goals
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations
- Polished glassware, bussed tables and removed debris to keep customer areas clean
- Assisted servers with specialty drinks orders by preparing on-demand items without delay
- Conducted regular inventory count to keep bar and drink supplies stocked, avoiding expensive rush orders
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation
- Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers and taking inventory
- Handled simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights and weekends
Bartender/Server
The Leopard Lounge
06.2021 - 09.2022
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays and delivery bags
- Noted special patron requests and followed up with kitchen to confirm delivery
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items
- Checked identification for minimum age for sale of alcoholic beverages
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items and recorded order information
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions
- Monitored patrons for alcohol intake to appropriate levels and took measures to curtail inappropriate behavior
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals and walk-in business
- Moved and set up seating, prepared extra silverware and notified kitchen prior to arrival of large groups
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness
- Quickly and clearly communicated dining orders to kitchen staff, directing attention to special requests or dietary restrictions
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request
- Mixed both standard and specialized drink orders using liquor, bitters, sugars and fruits
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems
Supervisor/ Bartender
Embassy Suites
07.2019 - 05.2021
- Established rules for ejecting problem customers from bar to reduce liability and maintain pleasant environment
- Completed accurate inventory records to thwart malicious activities and maintain organized and profitable establishment
- Created balanced shift schedules to keep bar reasonably staffed during peak periods and maximize earnings for bartenders
- Oversaw and monitored cash drawers and reconciled drawers against cash register reports at close of business
- Supervised and trained staff on preparing and delivering drinks, handling food and money and setting up bar at beginning of shift and breaking down at end of shift to facilitate operations
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication
- Developed new signature cocktails to support bar marketing brand and increase profits
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands
- Set up glassware, liquor and other necessary supplies for special events
- Kept alcoholic beverages well-stocked and organized to meet expected demands
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation
- Adhered to state laws regarding alcoholic beverage services and customer regulations
- Handled simultaneous customer, team and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors
- Conducted regular inventory count to keep bar and drink supplies stocked, avoiding expensive rush orders
- Polished glassware, bussed tables and removed debris to keep customer areas clean
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers and taking inventory
- Taught employees bar sales techniques, resulting in higher profits
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights and weekends
Education
Diploma -
Southfork High School
Stuart, FLSkills
- Menu memorization
- Preparing garnishes
- Food running
- Inventory
- Classic cocktails
- Knowledge of craft and microbrews
- Responsible alcohol service
- Ordering bar supplies
- Liquor, beer and wine knowledge
- Changing beer kegs
- Creative mixology
- Dining room management
- Attending multiple customers
- Beverage preparation
- Sales expertise
- Engaging personality
- Clear and effective communication
- Cash register operation
- New hire training
- Handling difficult customers
- Making change
- [Name of System] POS
- Aloha POS
- Highly reliable
- Hospitality service expertise
- Customer Service
- Staff Management
- Suggestive Selling
Additionalinformation
Bartender at The Leopard Lounge, Employee of the Month, 01/01/22
Timeline
Lead Bartender
Element Gastropub
02.2024 - 09.2024
Lead Bartender
Kork
11.2022 - 10.2023
Bartender/Server
The Leopard Lounge
06.2021 - 09.2022
Supervisor/ Bartender
Embassy Suites
07.2019 - 05.2021
Diploma -
Southfork High School