01 / THE DAY BEGINS
A Mother’s Day shift / Leonardo Nkuba
Behind
the bar.
One fully booked day. Five chapters.
On Mother’s Day, reservations filled the day. Walk-in customers kept arriving. Behind the bar, the orders kept coming.
I serve as a primary bartender during regular shifts and busy holidays. My responsibilities also extend to the front of house: welcoming guests, coordinating reservations and seating, and managing the waitlist.
02 / LEARNING THE CRAFT
One drink.
Then the next.
Efficient service. Care in every drink.
I prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, following Smart Serve standards and responsible alcohol service practices. Even when the pace picks up, professional service remains part of the job.
That shift, we were making roughly 20–30 drinks every ten minutes. Each order was part of a service that kept moving.
03 / THE RUSH
Orders arrive.
Find the rhythm.
A full reservation book didn’t stop the walk-ins.
People wanted to eat, but getting seated meant a wait of around 30 minutes. Managing waitlists and responding to questions are part of my daily work. That day brought those responsibilities into focus alongside the drinks service.
I pay attention to what guests need, address concerns, and help create a welcoming dining experience—from the first greeting through their time with us.
04 / THE TEAM
Every shift
has its people.
The volume was a team effort.
Roughly 20–30 drinks
every ten minutes.
Reservations all day.
Walk-ins still arriving.
I coordinate with servers, kitchen staff, hosts, and management to keep guest service moving during peak periods. The drinks leaving the bar are one part of that shared effort.
I also monitor bar and front-of-house inventory, replenish supplies, and communicate stock needs to management so the team has what it needs to keep serving.
05 / LAST CALL
The shift ends.
The story stays.
People, priorities, and the work in front of you.
Listening to people, communicating clearly, and coordinating with a team are part of my everyday work behind the bar. They are also qualities I bring to software development and collaboration.
Leonardo Nkuba / AFTER HOURS