Storyville- River North

New Orleans-inspired cocktail and dining concept rebuilt around scale, consistency, and a diverse beverage program.

Results & Impact

Bar with dirty glasses, liquor bottles, cocktail-making tools and a receipt printer, with a brick wall and a black wall with documents in the background.

Scope

Brought in to restructure and elevate a struggling bar program
Full bar program development and overhaul
Cocktail menu creation across multiple categories
Service flow and operational standards
Staff training and bar systems
Ongoing consulting (menu, operations, events)

A bar with a variety of liquor bottles on tiered wooden shelves behind a granite countertop, with a bowl of colorful fruit and some bar tools in the foreground.

Program

New Orleans-inspired cocktail menu developed through on-site and off-site R&D in New Orleans
Cognac-driven program highlighting classic and modern applications
Absinthe integration as a core identity element
Curated wine program to support dining and elevate the guest experience
Draft cocktail program implementation
Scalable builds for high-volume execution without sacrificing quality
Brunch and happy hour programs designed to drive consistent day-to-night traffic

A variety of colorful cocktails on a bar counter with a bartender in the background.

Operations

Built and managed inventory systems and ordering structure
Developed pricing across cocktails, wine, and spirits
Created SOPs for bar execution and service standards
Trained staff across cocktails, spirits, and wine
Optimized service flow and bar efficiency during peak volume
Increased bar sales through program restructuring and execution

Bartender with glasses preparing a cocktail at a dimly lit bar with various bottles of alcohol on shelves behind her.

Impact

Turned around a struggling bar program into a high-functioning system
Established a multi-category beverage program across cocktails, cognac, absinthe, and wine
Strengthened positioning in River North’s competitive nightlife and dining scene
Built a high-volume system that maintained consistency and guest experience

Day 1 Start

End of Day 1

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Range

Colorful cocktail with orange slices in a patterned glass on a bar, with a bartender creating a flaming drink in the background.

KING OF CUPS

Mystic • Experiential Cocktails

Colorful cocktails and plates of food on a dark restaurant table, with illuminated decor and a neon sign in the background.

STORYVILLE

New Orleans • Restaurant • Live Music

A bar with various liquor bottles underneath a large illuminated moon with a starry background.

ESMERALDAS

Latin Tiki • Tropical Cocktails

Person igniting a flaming beverage with a lit torch in a glass on a table during a celebration.

STARDUST

4am Late Night • High Energy • Nightclub

A cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with an orange peel and a flower, placed on a marble surface with a dark background.

Lulus Speakeasy

Romantic • Intimate Cocktails

Outdoor dining table set with white napkins, silverware, potted succulents, and small floral arrangements, arranged for a meal with chairs around it.

Ada Street

Boutique Wine Program • Bar Geek Cocktails

A person fills a metal cup with dark beer from a tap at a bar, with warm blurred lights in the background.

Brandos

Draft Cocktails • Karaoke • Late Night

A colorful ceramic mug with traditional floral designs, filled with a dark beverage and ice cubes, garnished with a lemon wedge and a green straw.

L’Patron

Tacos • Tequila • Cocktails