Manager - Circa 1856 Louisville

Next Century Spirits Inc•Louisville, KY

2d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Next Century Spirits (NCS) is seeking a Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of Circa 1856, their flagship hospitality venue in Louisville, Kentucky. This role is responsible for the guest experience, staffing, and brand standards across the Sipping Room, The Coupe speakeasy, and the retail gallery. The Manager will report to the General Manager and drive daily performance against revenue and performance benchmarks, providing insights for future opportunities. This is a full-time, on-site position with a salary range of $60,000–$70,000 per year, requiring regular evening and weekend availability due to the venue's schedule.

Requirements

3+ years of management experience in bars, restaurants, tasting rooms, or a related hospitality setting.
Prior experience in the bourbon, whiskey, or broader spirits industry.
Proven experience managing staff schedules, P&L, and vendor/inventory relationships.
Kentucky alcohol server/seller certification (or ability to obtain before start date).
Strong communication and guest-service skills; comfortable representing the brand to press, tour groups, and VIP guests.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and select holidays.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of bourbon/whiskey production and tasting.
Basic proficiency with POS, scheduling, and inventory management software.
Experience in a multi-concept hospitality venue (bar, retail, and events).

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations across the Sipping Room, The Coupe speakeasy, and retail gallery, ensuring consistent service and brand standards.
Manage venue opening/closing procedures, scheduling, and floor coverage across the operating week.
Maintain compliance with Kentucky ABC regulations, health and safety codes, and responsible alcohol service standards.
Recruit, hire, train, and schedule bartenders, tasting room hosts, and retail staff.
Set performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and coach staff on hospitality and product knowledge.
Foster a guest-first culture consistent with the Chicken Cock Whiskey brand.
Manage day-to-day performance against the venue P&L, including labor costs, COGS, and revenue targets set by the GM.
Work with the Bar Lead to manage liquor, bar supply, and retail bottle inventory, including ordering and vendor relationships.
Track and report on sales performance across all sales areas.
Ensure a high standard of hospitality across all guest-facing experiences.
Coordinate private events, group reservations, and other in-house programming.
Respond to guest feedback and resolve service issues.
Represent Circa 1856 and Chicken Cock Whiskey at community and industry events.
Drive venue traffic and visitation, average guest spend, retail conversion, and private event/group booking revenue.
Develop and maintain local relationships with hotels, tourism partners, neighboring businesses, and corporate groups.
Partner with the GM on local promotions, programming, and partnerships designed to increase visitation and revenue.