1. Professional
I have been in the trade for 17 years, taking an interest and showing skills in team leading and training from a very early time.
I strongly believe in leading from the front lines, and am always the first to get mucked in behind the bar on a busy night, or any odd/unpleasant jobs that may occur during any given shift, strongly believing that I should never ask a member of staff to do a job I wouldn't be willing to do myself. This engenders a lot of respect with staff, and allows me to work with and lead them more effectively.
One of my favourite parts of the job is staff training, and my proudest achievements are the staff I have trained who have ended up taking these skills - bartending, cocktail work, even management skills themselves, and having made successful jobs, and potentially careers, through said training. My standards are exceptionally high, in both myself, my staff and the product, and I believe in promoting a level of personal service - treating the customer as a 'guest' rather than a customer being the core concept - that ensures happy customers and return trade. Using an open, honest and approachable technique, I take staff through every aspect of the subject at hand, and try to get the very best out of every member of a team.
I have successfully managed teams of staff of varying sizes, from teams of 3-5 skilled cocktail bartenders to teams of 25+ across several bars and floors within a given complex, and believe the key to running a successful, busy night, regardless of size, comes in preparedness and communication.
I have Incredibly high standards - I push for a finer attention to detail and quality than most. I am incredibly hard working and passionate, and am determined to provide the best possible service to the guest, wherever that may be. I offer a classic but incredibly high quality view on training, encouraging polishing everything to a shine before it reaches the customer.
I have extensive experience developing new and creative craft cocktail menus to suit the standards of the establishment or event, including costings, actual setup and implementing of said lists and staff training.
I have years of experience providing and planning events management within the trade and for the occasional private party, ensuring the guests have the best experience possible.
I have been largely responsible for the design, setup and layout of the last few bars I have ran – The Hudson Whiskey Loft, Gallery Dublin Rd and Bull & Ram Belfast, and have been developing drinks menus and training staff for over a decade.
I am incredibly keen and skilled at bar optimisation – looking at every aspect of on-shift work, seeing where time is being wasted by items being in the wrong place or bad layouts, staff placement, setup of speed rails, cheaters and training staff in the four-foot-rule and how to start looking at their workspace in this way, allowing for a continuing speed-up of service whilst holding to the highest quality. Qualifications, Awards and Nominations -IoH Management team of the Year 2018 -Sky Bartender of the Year (all-Ireland) finalist 2017 -Completed NVQ (level 4) Business Management through TIME associates -Worldhost training – Principles of customer service and Ambassador workshop -Pubs of Ulster Barman of the year (national) finalist 2011,2012 and 2015 -Obtained NVQ (level 3) in Management and Team Leading , Protocol Skills -Trained as First Aid Appointed Person (needs renewed) -COSSH certification -Ale Champion award for Wetherspoons NI 2007, Best Kept Cellar NI 2007
2. Personal
Well, maybe it’s appropriate that I put a little about me as an actual human here. So, I’m Neil. 35, Barman by trade, 16 years in the trade and still loving it. Cause I’m a little mad like that. Belfast based, a massive nerd with a collection of far too many games, funkos, tattoos, books, Lego and a questionable music library at best. I find something I like or love, and really go for it. It can be a problem at times, but that’s just part of the package that is me. I will rant endlessly about any number of topics, as this site will quickly attest to. I’m an introvert, INFP-T and (most of the time) Chaotic Good. I have an incredibly dark sense of humour and am known to laugh at the most inappropriate moments.
I’m an uncle to more kids than I can count (I can’t count very well, it’s four), and they’re all brilliant and mad and wonderful. My niece is definitely going to work me into an early grave, but she’s awesome.
I’ve also got the best dog ever-
Buffy loves hogging the camera. And standing on you in the most uncomfortable way possible.
A wee list of my favourite things-
LISTS Lists are actually one of my favourite things. Take what you will from that.
DRINKS (seemed appropriate) Espresso Martinis Old Fashioneds Mojitos Hemmingway Daiquris A lovely Guinness or Stout Craft beers of various descriptions. Especially a wee tin.
MUSIC Cat Power. Greatest of all the voices. 💖
NIN. Always NIN. Sleater Kinney. Carrie Brownstein is everything. Bikini Kill/Le Tigre. Kathleen Hannah is also everything.
Skating Polly. Saw them support Kate Nash two years ago and became a diehard fan on the spot.
Kate Nash Also.
Rilo Kiley and anything Jenny Lewis puts her name to. Notably Nice as Fuck.
Any and all late 90s rock, alt, grunge, metal, emo, punk of any era (LOT of the Thermals atm).
Girls Aloud. Sound of the Underground is a f’ing CHOON.
BILLIE PIPER. NO ARGUMENTS.
Does the Hetfield growl better than Hetfield. FACT.
BOOKS/COMICS
Sandman
Anything by Gaiman. Notably American Gods and Neverwhere.
LOTR, everything to do with Middle Earth.
Any half decent music biopic or music history- recently, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl and Girls to The Front.
ALL THE BRANDON SANDERSON. ALL OF IT.
Also Cait Moran, Sara Pascoe, anything by Strazynski (nope, definitely not spelt right), MR Carey, Pat Rothfuss, Scott Lynch and Scott Snyder.
To name a few anyway.
For those reading their way through these, Vin is most DEFINITELY a BAMF.
TV Sooo behind with TV at the mo, but- Doctor Who. Anyone who says a word against Jodie Whitaker will suffer the wrath of me and a well-targeted shoe. (I finally conceded recently she might actually be a better Doctor than Chris Eccleston, who has been number one in my heart for the longest time) Game of Thrones - A little bitter about the show, as they RUINED THE MARTELLS. MY FAVOURITE HOUSE AND IVE GOT A BLOODY TATTOO OF THEM AND D&D BUTCHERED THEM. WELL MARTIN BUTCHERED POOR LOVELY OBERYN BUT STILL. (I actually rather enjoyed the last series, TBH. apart from poor Rhaegal.) Portlandia- again, Carrie Brownstein. Now with added Fred Armisen. Broad City - filthy, filthy humour, but magnificent. Sabrina - sooooo good. What this show always deserved. Buffy- still the greatest show of all time. Easily. Angel's probably a close second. Black Mirror- Dark, messed up, beautiful. San Junipero is easily the most beautiful and heartfelt hour of TV I've ever seen. If you didn't cry at the end of this you're basically dead inside.
I'll add a bit more here shortly, but that should give you a bit of an insight into me (and my love of lists).
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