Bartender

Class Act is a new fine dining restaurant and speakeasy concept in Chicago that combines the revelry of a friend’s dinner party with mind blowing avant garde cuisine. Class Act’s mission is to craft magical hospitality experiences that bring people together and cultivate joy. 

From the moment guests step in the door, they will embark on an unforgettable gastronomical journey. At the heart of this three-room progressive experience is a beautiful 16-seat communal table beneath a nine-foot-long floating gold cloud sculpture. Here, guests will interact, indulge, and imbibe while witnessing the energy of an open kitchen. Every course will be a masterfully curated composition of flavors, textures, colors, and aromas, with every menu offering imaginative cocktail, spirit-free, and wine pairing options. 

After savoring the full tasting menu in the first two rooms, guests will be guided through a discreet passageway that leads to Nightcap, an intimate speakeasy crafting bespoke cocktails and spirit-free creations. Moody lighting and plush banquet seating will set the stage for guests to raise a glass to the connections forged throughout the evening. Non-dinner guests will also be welcomed to join the revelry by entering through Nightcap’s dedicated alleyway entrance.

Class Act is founded and led by Executive Chef Nicolai Mlodinow and former Tech Executive and Entrepreneur CEO Shreena Amin. Chef Nicolai has trained and worked at some of Chicago’s top Michelin Star restaurants and hosted the popular Class Act popup out of his home for over 2 years. Shreena is a seasoned business professional and former founder with 10+ years of early stage & growth tech experience and 3 successful exits. Chef Nicolai and Shreena combine culinary excellence and creativity with business discipline and entrepreneurial acumen. The Beverage Program is led by Beverage Director and Sommelier Jonas Bittencourt, Jean Banchet Nominee for Best Sommelier 2025. The bar is helmed by Head Bartender Devin Courtney, a Houston native known for his creativity. 

The Bartenders will assist in building and executing the cocktail program. We are looking for passionate bartenders who want to work with a team to create innovative beverages. The bartenders should show respect for the history of cocktails while pushing the boundaries of flavor, technique, and presentation with the aim of delivering an exceptional guest experience.

• Uphold the highest quality standards for service and prep.
• Uphold organizational standards and operations of the bar.
• Uphold standard operating procedures for the beverage programs.
• Assist with research and development for new beverages and ingredients.
• Help create a cohesive, fun, and hard working environment with a tight knit team.
• Identify and source high-quality, unique ingredients (kitchen team can help with this as well).
• Work with the kitchen team to develop remarkable beverage and N/A beverage pairings.
• Engage with guests making them feel warm and welcomed while in a lively fun atmosphere.

Qualifications 

• Experience working in world class cocktail bars.
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Experience delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• In-depth knowledge of cocktail history, techniques, ingredients, and innovations.
• Previous experience in fine dining establishments, preferred.
• Proven track record of working with a team and fostering a culture.

Personal Characteristics 

• Creative. You enjoy making novel boundary pushing cocktails. 
• Passionate. You love the art and craft of cocktails. You love providing exceptional service to guests.
• Self-starter. You don’t need to be told what to do. You figure out what needs to be done and get to it. 
• Strong work ethic. You are willing and excited to go above and beyond to deliver top tier hospitality.  
• Hustle & grit. You’re undeterred by unpredictability and demands of working in a kitchen and bar. You can adapt or persevere through any situation. 
• Problem solver. You figure it out.  We support you.
• Collaborative.  You work with your team to make the magic happen. You actively seek and incorporate the input. You shine when everyone else shines.
• Hospitable. You love building rapport with guests and making them smile. You’re thoughtful and charismatic. 
• Excellent communication skills. You communicate effectively with your team, the restaurant team, and the leadership team. 
• Exceptional attention to detail.  You notice and sweat the small stuff. 
• Exceptional organizational skills. You help develop systems and processes that make the bar run smoothly. 

The restaurant and speakeasy  will be open 5 days a week from 5pm to 1am. The role will involve pre-service, service, and post service. The restaurant and speakeasy will be closed 2 weeks per year.