Celeste is a modern, American cocktail lounge & supper club. Our multiple levels are reminiscent of a glamorous, turn-of-the-century Chicago -- a time of the World's Fair, spirited architectural innovation, and a sense of new cultural pinnacles

Position Overview

The General Manager (GM) of Celeste is responsible for the day-to-day operations, guest experience, financial performance, and leadership of the venue. As a multi-level cocktail bar, supper club, and discothèque, Celeste requires a seasoned hospitality professional who can seamlessly manage high-energy service, upscale dining, and dynamic nightlife operations.

The GM leads a team of managers, front-of-house, and back-of-house staff to ensure that Celeste delivers exceptional service, high operational efficiency, and a premium guest experience while maintaining brand standards, profitability, and a strong workplace culture.

This role demands a proactive, hands-on leader with a deep understanding of cocktail-driven venues, supper clubs, and nightlife environments, balancing refined hospitality with a fast-paced, high-volume atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and inspire management, service staff, and bar team to uphold Celeste’s brand, service standards, and culture.
• Provide structured coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities for the management team.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings, staff training, and performance evaluations to drive consistency and guest satisfaction.
• Build and maintain a high-energy, motivated, and professional team, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Oversee hiring, training, and onboarding of new staff, ensuring alignment with Celeste’s hospitality-driven service model.

2. Guest Experience & Hospitality Standards

• Ensure an exceptional guest experience, maintaining flawless service and attention to detail across all levels of the venue.
• Maintain a strong presence on the floor during peak hours, engaging with VIPs, regulars, and first-time guests.
• Oversee VIP and bottle service operations, ensuring a seamless and elevated experience for high-end clientele.
• Address and resolve guest concerns and complaints with professionalism and urgency.
• Ensure that all cocktail programs, food service, and nightlife experiences reflect Celeste’s brand identity and quality standards.

3. Operational Oversight & Efficiency

• Oversee all floor operations, ensuring efficiency, service excellence, and smooth venue transitions between dinner and nightlife service.
• Manage daily service flow, reservations, table allocations, and guest entry to maximize seating and sales.
• Implement operational SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to maintain consistency across all departments.
• Work closely with the bar and kitchen teams to ensure execution of menu items, cocktail programs, and nightly activations.
• Partner with the security team to ensure a safe and controlled environment, especially during high-volume nightlife service.

4. Financial Performance & Cost Control

• Oversee and analyze venue P&L (Profit & Loss) statements, making data-driven adjustments to drive profitability.
• Monitor and control labor costs, food and beverage costs, and operational expenses to maintain financial health.
• Work closely with the Director of Operations and Accounting to ensure accurate reporting, clean financials, and cost efficiency.
• Establish and maintain weekly and monthly sales goals, using key performance metrics to track growth.
• Optimize bottle service sales, upselling strategies, and special event revenue streams to drive profitability.

5. Marketing & Event Coordination

• Collaborate with the Marketing and VIP Services Manager to execute venue-level promotions, influencer activations, and social media strategies.
• Work closely with ownership and marketing teams to curate programming, special events, and DJ bookings.
• Ensure all marketing materials, promotions, and branding align with Celeste’s luxury, nightlife, and hospitality identity.
• Partner with PR teams, nightlife promoters, and key industry players to drive exposure and attract high-end clientele.

6. Compliance, Safety & Venue Management

• Ensure compliance with city regulations, liquor laws, and health and safety standards.
• Oversee alcohol service policies, ensuring responsible beverage service and staff certification.
• Conduct regular safety and security meetings, ensuring staff awareness of emergency procedures.
• Manage maintenance and venue upkeep, ensuring all areas of the venue remain clean, functional, and visually impressive.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a General Manager or senior leadership role in a high-volume, upscale hospitality environment (cocktail bar, supper club, nightclub, or luxury lounge).
• Strong knowledge of cocktail culture, fine dining service, and nightlife operations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced, guest-driven environment.
• Experience with financial management, including P&L oversight, budgeting, and cost control strategies.
• Exceptional guest relations and VIP client management skills.
• Strong operational knowledge of reservation systems, POS platforms, and nightlife entry protocols.
• Strong problem-solving and leadership skills, with the ability to adapt to changing dynamics and peak-hour challenges.
• Deep understanding of Chicago’s hospitality, nightlife, and luxury dining market.