Liam Bleakley
Norwalk
Summary
Versatile hospitality leader with 7+ years of experience optimizing restaurant operations and team performance. Expert in bridging front-of-house excellence with modern marketing tactics to enhance brand visibility and customer loyalty. Dedicated to data-informed decision-making—utilizing sales analytics to drive revenue growth while maintaining a gold-standard service experience.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender
BlackBird
01.2026 - 04.2026
- Crafted and served cocktails according to established recipes and customer preferences.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring timely replenishment of bar supplies and ingredients.
- Trained new staff on bartending techniques, customer service standards, and safety protocols.
- Developed seasonal drink menus that enhanced customer engagement and satisfaction.
Head Bartender
Maggie Mcfly
04.2023 - 02.2026
- Created over 10 signature cocktails that were added to the menu.
- Served high-volume crowds during events, weekends, and peak hours while maintaining quality service.
- Trained and coached new bartenders and servers to improve speed and service quality.
- Maintained a clean, organized bar while ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations.
- Managed bar inventory, stock rotation, and ordering to meet demand and reduce waste.
- Closed out registers and prepared end-of-day cash reports.
Restaurant Manager
Maggie McFly's
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Managed daily restaurant operations including staffing, service quality, guest relations, and financial procedures.
- Interviewed, hired, trained, and supervised new employees.
- Improved shift performance and consistently saw higher sales compared to other managers.
- Oversaw payroll, scheduling, and new-hire/termination paperwork.
- Conducted safety and sanitation evaluations and resolved issues immediately.
- Collected guest feedback and implemented service improvements.
Sodexo Line Cook
Central Connecticut State University
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Requested that Sodexo "throw me in the fire" and put me on the hardest station so I could become useful early on.
- Cooked burgers, quesadillas, chicken patties, and french fries, served students and made sure we don't run out of anything during the rushes
- Kept my station clean and organized to avoid health code violations or messes.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
Front of House Team Leader
Ichiro Kitchen
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Performed opening duties such as turning on all ordering devices, A/C, and certain machines.
- Prepared all the sauces, soups, and appetizers we needed for that day.
- Took orders, set and cleaned up booths, and managed the majority of closing duties outside of the kitchen.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
Front of House Team Leader
Ripka's at the Beach
05.2020 - 07.2021
- Prepared customer drink and ice cream orders from the list provided and kept the area neat and clean for the next use.
- Took orders and served food if we were busy.
- During any downtime, I would ensure that all the counters were clean and the trash was emptied.
- Responsible for closing duties including lights, turning off machines, and locking doors.
- Reference: Clyde Ripka (Store Owner) - (203) 984 3558
Fitness Attendant and Intramural Referee
Central Connecticut State University
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Wiped down machines and helped with member questions.
- Covid-19 Started and I needed to adapt. I began paying attention to everybody in the gym, wiping down machines and weights after every use, and making sure people inside were following Covid-19 safety protocols.
- Performed routine maintenance tasks on equipment, identifying potential issues before they escalated into larger problems.
Social Media Marketing Intern
Evolver Fitness
05.2020 - 08.2020
- Designed and presented social media campaign ideas.
- Contributed to mock-ups, email campaigns, and social media content.
- Conducted daily updates to social media profiles to boost the company's online presence.
- Boosted website traffic by creating and sharing engaging blog posts and articles related to the industry.
Front of House Team Leader
Hibachi Sushi-ya
05.2018 - 12.2018
- Greeted guests, provided menus, answered phone calls, and sat guests.
- Handled Uber, Doordash, Seamless, and GrubHub orders as well as walk-ins.
- Refilled drinks, served starters, cleaned tables and bathrooms, and took out the trash.
Middle School Camp Counselor
Norwalk High School
07.2015 - 08.2018
- Summer Job for 3 years.
- Answered or redirected parent inquiries and assisted parents with concerns.
- Set up activities for campers, collected lunch boxes to put in the freezer, set and cleaned up lunch, and if needed, settled disputes.
- Ensured camper safety by enforcing camp rules, supervising group activities, and responding promptly to incidents or concerns.
- Reference: Dan Sullivan (Camp Supervisor) - (203) 313 2945
Norwalk Junior Soccer Association Coach
Norwalk Junior Soccer Association
04.2015 - 04.2018
- Taught children how to play soccer, get along with others, and develop into good people.
- The age range for the children that I was coaching was from 4-16.
- Encouraged everyone to cultivate a strong work ethic by demonstrating diligence, patience, and respect for others.
- Boosted player confidence through personalized training sessions and continuous feedback.
Education
BBA - Business Management
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT01-2022
Skills
- Fine Dining Experience
- Craft Cocktail Creator / Bartender
- Employee Motivation
- Video Production
- Sales and Upselling Techniques
- Cash Handling
- Social Media Marketing
- Wine and liquor knowledge
Accomplishments
- Accelerated Career Progression: Promoted through four distinct leadership roles (Server → Bartender → Bar Trainer → Manager) within 18 months, demonstrating high-level performance and operational mastery.
- Operational Standardization: Designed and implemented a comprehensive "Opening/Closing Walkthrough" manual, which remains the standard operating procedure for the venue to ensure consistent service and facility readiness.
- High-Volume Execution: Proven ability to manage multi-channel service requirements, concurrently handling full-bar service and dining room sections while maintaining rapid ticket turnarounds during peak volume.
- Marketing & Social Media: Leveraged Hootsuite certification to execute social media marketing for local business clients, increasing audience engagement and driving measurable foot traffic.
- New Venue Launch: Played a pivotal role in the opening of a new restaurant location, establishing bar workflows and training protocols from the ground up to ensure a successful launch.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Bartender
BlackBird
01.2026 - 04.2026
Restaurant Manager
Maggie McFly's
01.2025 - 04.2025
Head Bartender
Maggie Mcfly
04.2023 - 02.2026
Sodexo Line Cook
Central Connecticut State University
10.2022 - 04.2023
Front of House Team Leader
Ichiro Kitchen
05.2022 - 10.2022
Front of House Team Leader
Ripka's at the Beach
05.2020 - 07.2021
Social Media Marketing Intern
Evolver Fitness
05.2020 - 08.2020
Fitness Attendant and Intramural Referee
Central Connecticut State University
01.2020 - 10.2020
Front of House Team Leader
Hibachi Sushi-ya
05.2018 - 12.2018
Middle School Camp Counselor
Norwalk High School
07.2015 - 08.2018
Norwalk Junior Soccer Association Coach
Norwalk Junior Soccer Association
04.2015 - 04.2018
BBA - Business Management
Central Connecticut State University
TIPS Certified, Hootsuite Certified
- Hootsuite Platform Certification
Earned through specialized coursework, this certification demonstrates advanced proficiency in social media management, brand engagement strategies, and multi-platform scheduling—enabling data-driven social media growth. - TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) Certified
Maintains active certification in responsible alcohol service, prioritizing guest safety, legal compliance, and de-escalation strategies within high-volume service environments.