Bar Programs
Real systems. Real service.
Bar programs built around execution to menu development, prep systems, training, and flow designed to perform under pressure.
Approach
I fell in love with this as an art form first.The bar is not just drinks. It is culture, conversation, therapy, and controlled chaos all happening at once. That is what drew me in. The energy, the connection, the ability to shape an experience in real time. What I build reflects that.Every program starts with a clear point of view. What are we trying to say, who is it for, and how does it come to life behind the bar. From there, everything gets dialed in to support it. The drinks, the flow, the pacing, the way the bar moves on a busy night.I have worked across everything from neighborhood spots to high-end, James Beard recognized programs. That range allows me to adapt while still keeping a strong identity in the work.I am hands-on and detail-focused. From layout to prep to execution, everything is intentional. Nothing is there by accident.I keep things transparent and direct. You will always know what I am doing, why I am doing it, and how it impacts the program. No fluff, no guessing, just clear communication and execution.I also spend time traveling and researching different markets, pulling inspiration from real places and real experiences. Not trends for the sake of trends, but ideas that actually make sense for the concept.When you work with me, you are getting a versatile approach backed by real experience. A program that holds up in service, connects with guests, and feels right from the first drink to the last.Below you will find my portfolio, from concepts to pricing. The goal is to give you the best avenue for success.Looking forward to getting started,
Program Structure
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$2,000 – $5,000
Cocktail menus built around your concept, audience, and service style. Designed for consistency, flow, and execution.
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$10,000 – $20,000+
End-to-end development from concept to execution.
Includes menu development, spirit curation, prep systems, pricing structure, training, and operational setup.
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$2,000 – $5,000
On-site rollout and training to ensure the program is executed at a high level from day one.
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Custom
For existing programs that need refinement, restructuring, or support.
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$20,000 – $50,000+
For projects where I am involved from concept through opening, overseeing both the bar build and full program execution.
I work closely with ownership, contractors, and design teams to ensure everything is aligned from day one. From layout and equipment decisions to menu development, systems, and training, the goal is to build a bar that not only looks right, but performs at a high level once doors open.
Level of involvement varies by project and scope.
Process
Discovery
We define the concept, the space, and what the bar needs to deliver.
Development
Menu, systems, sops, and program direction are built out with intention.
Build & Integration
Layout, flow, and build decisions are aligned with how the bar will actually operate.
Implementation & Refinement
Training, opening support, and adjustments based on real service to make sure everything holds up.
Recent Project
Elevated agave-driven program built around a modern Mexican concept.
Built from the ground up with a focus on identity, flow, and execution. Every detail was designed to align with the food, the space, and the culture of the neighborhood.
Full agave program across mezcal, sotol, and raicilla
Cocktail menu development aligned with the kitchen
Mexican wine program
SOPs and prep systems built for consistency in service
Bar layout and station flow designed for efficiency
Equipment sourcing and vendor relationships
Staff training and program rollout
R&D, music curation, and overall bar identity
Client
Itzchel — Pilsen
Year
02/01/2026
Client
Stardust — River North
Year
2025
High-volume, club-driven cocktail program built around a strong, immersive theme in River North, including the main bar and a secondary concept downstairs, The Liar.
Designed to operate in a fast-paced nightlife environment where energy, volume, and experience all need to hit at once. The goal was to create a program that could keep up with demand while still maintaining a clear identity and elevated cocktail focus.
Full cocktail menu development across both bars
Back bar curation and full spirits program
Beer program development and selection
Program structure designed for high-volume service
Alignment of identity between main bar and The Liar downstairs
Systems built to maintain speed, consistency, and control during peak hours
Built to handle volume without losing the experience, balancing a unique theme with a program that performs under pressure.
Client
Storyville — River North
Year
2024
Full program overhaul for a high-volume cocktail bar in River North.
Brought in during a period of underperformance. The goal was simple. Turn it around or the concept dies.
The focus was to rebuild the bar from the ground up and create a system that could handle volume while maintaining consistency, identity, and control during service.
Full bar revamp including layout, flow, and service structure
Hiring, training, and team restructuring
Back bar rebuild and full spirits program
Draft cocktail, and draft beer program development
Seasonal cocktail menu development and ongoing updates
SOPs, inventory systems, and operational standards
Wine program development and integration
Featured across Chicago news networks following relaunch
Repositioned the bar into a streamlined, high-functioning operation built for volume and consistency.
Client
Lulu’s Speakeasy — River North
Year
2022
Concept and bar program built beneath Storyville to activate an underutilized basement space and turn it into a high-performing secondary concept.
What do you do with a basement in River North. You create something people cannot find anywhere else.
Built as a sex-positive, prohibition-inspired speakeasy, the concept pulls from the story of Lulu White and the underground culture that defined that era.
Full concept development and creative direction
Cocktail program built for a single bartender execution
Menu featuring over 100 cocktails using classic techniques and house-built syrups
Focus on sugar, honey, and traditional modifiers rooted in prohibition-era builds
Operational structure designed for efficiency in a one-bartender environment
Integration of live burlesque and vaudeville performances
Development of “The Blue Book,” inspired by historic directories and tied into the concept
Built to maximize revenue from a previously unused space while creating a fully immersive experience that feels distinct from the main floor.
Client
Esmeralda’s — Humboldt Park
Year
2022
First cocktail-focused bar on Paseo Boricua, built in a neighborhood that came with real challenges.
While we were open, there were 5 shootings in and around the space. At one point I almost got caught in it myself. That was the environment we were operating in, and it had to be handled directly.
The goal was to stay true to the culture and build something people could actually trust walking into.
I spent time in Puerto Rico for R&D and leaned into my background with salsa music to shape the identity so it felt real to the neighborhood.
Full cocktail program built on fresh ingredients, innovative tiki, and classics
Frozen cocktail program designed for volume and summer service
Rum-focused back bar with curated selections and brand relationships
House infusions, syrups, and prep systems
Worked with reps and distributors to build out the program
Concept rooted in Puerto Rican culture and Paseo Boricua
Collaboration with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Built a strong music identity with house and salsa, bringing in late house legend Ron Carroll along with other Chicago house names
Created drag nights and a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community
Managed hiring and built the team from the ground up
Large patio programming tied to Puerto Rican Fest, parades, and high-volume weekends
Hosted events that brought in consistent neighborhood traffic
Controlled the room when needed, physically removing people causing issues
Built a crowd that respected the space and kept it moving
It was raw. It was hands-on. It worked.