Meghan Dahm

Accomplished bartender with 20+ years of experience delivering exceptional guest experiences in fast-paced hospitality environments ranging from neighborhood taverns and country clubs to stadium venues, high-end banquets, and member organizations. Combines premium cocktail knowledge, hospitality, marketing, consumer brand engagement, and hands-on leadership to create memorable experiences and drive beverage sales. Currently serving as Bar Manager & Marketing Manager while remaining passionate about working behind the bar, leading shifts when needed, and supporting an established team.

Bar Manager & Marketing Manager - Veterans of Foreign Wars

(2023-10)

• Remain active behind the bar while supporting daily operations, troubleshooting service needs, and setting a guest-focused tone during peak shifts.
• Manage employee scheduling through Homebase, including trade approvals, call-offs, coverage adjustments, and daily shift support.
• Hire, onboard, train, and mentor bartending staff while supporting an established team culture and consistent service standards.
• Coordinate bartending operations for private events, including staffing plans, POS programming, event notes, beverage readiness, and bar setup.
• Step in as Lead Bartender for high-volume and VIP events, working alongside the team to maintain speed, accuracy, and guest satisfaction.
• Create specialty cocktails, beverage features, marketing campaigns, social media content, and promotions that build engagement and repeat business.
• Support inventory, vendor coordination, beverage ordering, and process improvements while continuing regular bartending shifts.

Bartender & Private Event Bartender - Veterans of Foreign Wars

(2022-12)

• Deliver guest-centered service in a private, member-based club and at private functions, supporting events serving up to 250+ guests.

Bar Supervisor - Whiskey Acres - Kane County Cougars Stadium

(2022-04)

• Create engaging consumer experiences for a premium Illinois beverage brand through product education, signature cocktails, guest recommendations, and thoughtful upsell.
• Maintain speed, accuracy, strong brand presentation, and high-energy hospitality during high-volume stadium events.

Seasonal Bartender - Abbey Farms

(2022-08 - 2024-11)

• Operated a high-traffic seasonal bar, provided brand education on house wines and beers, verified IDs, tracked inventory, and helped drive record-setting liquor sales.

Bartender - Wilson Street Tavern

(2015 - 2022-12)

• Built loyal repeat clientele through welcoming hospitality, consistent service, craft cocktails, and strong beer and wine knowledge.
• Managed opening and closing, cash and credit-card reconciliation, and daily bar responsibilities in a fast-paced setting.

Banquet Bartender - Eagle Brook Country Club

(2011 - 2013)

• Delivered polished, high-volume beverage service during high-end country club banquets serving 300-500 guests, maintaining speed, accuracy, and professionalism under pressure.
• Crafted martinis, cocktails, wine, and premium spirits while collaborating with banquet teams to execute efficient beverage service.

Head Server, Trainer & Bartender - Tavern on the Fox

(2004 - 2010)

• Helped hire and train front-of-house staff while bartending weekend lunch rushes, local-concert shifts, and other high-volume service periods.

Senior Project Manager - Signature Marketing Inc.

(2016-07 - 2020-03)

• Directed 10,000+ experiential beverage marketing programs for nationally recognized brands, building consumer engagement through hospitality, product education, and polished brand representation.
• Led 100+ simultaneous activations while managing staffing, logistics, budgets, timelines, client relationships, and reporting.
• Partnered with Pepsi, Sazerac, Pernod Ricard, Boston Beer, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and other major beverage brands.
• Recruited, trained, and mentored promotional teams while consistently delivering polished program execution and measurable ROI.

Project Manager - Signature Marketing Inc.

(2013-07 - 2016-07)

• Managed 6,000+ experiential beverage programs with a focus on scheduling, staffing, logistics, client execution, and post-event reporting.
• Created cohesive multi-event programs and consistently delivered activations under budget.

Experiential Brand Ambassador - Varied Agencies

(2010-03)

• Represent premium beverage brands at on-premise, off-premise, festival, sporting, and special-event activations; build awareness, encourage trial, and drive consumer sales through genuine engagement.

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism (Marketing & Public Relations) - Northern Illinois University