Zeke Pennington
Nashville,TN
Summary
Driven and effective professional, understanding the unique dynamics of the hospitality, entertainment, bar, event planning, and nightclub industries. • Conscientious of first selling the company and its brand to generate sales, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. • Proficient in conveying custom presentations for clients' private requests (i.e., VIP, private parties, corporate events, etc.). • Successful in earning the client's trust with a dependable and honest personality; effective in developing creative ways to close deals by working with mentors and fellow constituents.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Bartender Trainer
The Whiskey Shot
Nashville , TN
10.2020 - Current
- Demonstrated safe working methods to ensure a safe environment for all staff members
- Monitored inventory levels of liquor supplies at the bar regularly and ordered replenishments when necessary
- Developed good working relationships with fellow employees through effective communication
- Performed opening and closing duties including restocking supplies
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions
- Processed payments accurately and efficiently with POS system. Prepared cocktails from bar recipes and served wine, draft and bottled beer
- Mixed and served both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons by following standard recipes and procedures
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and upselling techniques
- Maintained knowledge of bar and menu options to prepare drinks and make food recommendations x
- Greet customers with friendly welcomes and high energy, and keep them around by providing a fun and enjoyable experience
- Attaining 5-Star customer ratings bringing the bars 2.7 star rating on yelp and google and bringing it up to a 4.9
Bartender
The Twin Kegs II
Nashville, MI
05.2020 - Current
- Performed opening and closing duties including restocking supplies.
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Prepared cocktails from bar recipes and served wine, draft and bottled beer.
- Maintained inventory of liquor, beer, wine, and other beverage items.
- Adhered to state regulations regarding serving alcohol responsibly.
- Managed bar area, cocktail design and menu and handled inventory, regulation compliance, and customer relationships.
- Checked identification cards for proof of age prior to serving alcohol beverages.
- Provided drink suggestions to customers based on their preferences.
- Assisted in setting up the bar for service shift.
- Recommended food and drinks to patrons based on preference, pairings and special promotions.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner.
Lead Barteder
The Whiskey Bent
Nashville, TN
03.2015 - 08.2024
- Handled complaints and disputes from customers to promote customer satisfaction.
- Managed bar area, cocktail design and menu and handled inventory, regulation compliance, and customer relationships.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up glasses and bar equipment and restocking items.
- Provided excellent customer service by attending to guests' needs promptly and courteously.
- Managed high volume of shift customers and simultaneously assisted restaurant servers with diverse needs.
- Trained new bartenders on proper techniques for mixing drinks and pouring beers.
- Introduced new seasonal and special events menu items to successfully increase monthly sales.
Bartender
The Four Seasons Hotel
Nashville, TN
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Developed the opening duties and mid-shift operations of the bar, collaborated with the serving staff to produce the work flow during shifts
- Responsible for keeping up the the residents accounts and making sure to cater to them and all of their guest as VIP on premises.
- Creating cocktails for the new menu for the Grande Opening
- Helped in creating a standard greeting across the board for all hotel guests and residences
- Ensured proper sanitation of bar area, glassware, utensils, and equipment.
- Processed payments accurately and efficiently with POS system.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and handling intoxicated guests.
- Provided drink suggestions and wine pairing to customers based on their preferences.
- Participated in weekly team meetings to discuss goals and objectives set by management.
- Stayed up-to-date on latest mixology trends, bar equipment, and sanitation standards.
Lead Bartender
Mai/Seen Nashville
Nashville, TN
01.2009 - 03.2015
- Created a fun and safe environment for attending clients
- Created incentives, up-selling techniques, and promotions for the company
- Retained loyal clients and acquired and maintained new clients
- Leader in consistent high sales and customer satisfaction
- Ran the VIP lounge bar for celebrities and other high profile clientele
- Created the cocktail menus
- Handled all the demands from the writers from event contracts
- Up sold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Enhanced operational efficiency by using slow periods to restock employee and customer supplies, including ice, condiments, utensils, napkins, trays and delivery bags.
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and Shot specials to provide recommendations according to tastes and specific allergies.
- Monitored guests for intoxication and immediately reported concerns to management.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills and handle complimentary items for dissatisfied customers.
- Kept register accurate through correct billing, payment processing and cash management practices.
Lead Bartender
Fifth and Taylor
Nashville, TN
1/6/2017 - 11/28/19
- Worked with fellow Management team to insure highest quality standards for my department.
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
- Up sold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Enhanced operational efficiency by using slow periods to restock employee and customer supplies, including ice, condiments, utensils,napkins, trays and delivery bags.
- Maintained table settings by removing courses, replacing utensils and refilling beverages promptly and courteously.
- Set up bar according to BEO specs for private events, and nights when it was used as a music venue, and set up for a high-volume up-scale night club on weeks where sales would range from $1000-$30000 with one to four bartenders max.
- Attained most 5-Star Guest reviews elevating the retention of future and past guests.
Education
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Colorado State University
Englewood, CO03-2013
Skills
- Employee Coaching
- Mentoring abilities
- Recipe creation
- Social Media Marketing
- Menu development
- Organizational Skills
- Reliability
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Team Collaboration
- Equipment Demonstration
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Effective Communication
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Professional Demeanor
- Continuous Improvement
- Decision-Making
- Team building
- Self Motivation
- Certification training
- Attention to Detail
- Goal Setting
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteHybridImportant To Me
Company CultureWork-life balanceHealthcare benefitsFlexible work hoursTeam Building / Company RetreatsCareer advancementPaid sick leavePersonal development programs401k matchPaid time offTimeline
Bartender
The Four Seasons Hotel
10.2022 - 09.2023
Bartender Trainer
The Whiskey Shot
10.2020 - Current
Bartender
The Twin Kegs II
05.2020 - Current
Lead Barteder
The Whiskey Bent
03.2015 - 08.2024
Lead Bartender
Mai/Seen Nashville
01.2009 - 03.2015
Lead Bartender
Fifth and Taylor
1/6/2017 - 11/28/19
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Colorado State University