Barista

Synonym Shop; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 23,694 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted or free food

Overtime pay

Tips

Job summary

Torsap Thai Kitchen in Hamilton seeks an enthusiastic front-of-house professional with a strong background in specialty coffee. Responsibilities include providing excellent service, preparing espresso-based drinks, and maintaining cleanliness in the café. The position offers flexible hours, full-time or part-time options, with pay ranging from $17.20 to $20.00 per hour. Join us in creating an exceptional experience for our guests in the vibrant James North neighborhood.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of specialty coffee experience in a café/restaurant/bar setting.
• Smart Serve Certified; Food Safety Certification preferred.
• Legally eligible to work in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Provide a warm, welcoming experience to guests, following service flow guidelines.
• Prepare and serve a variety of espresso-based drinks and pastries.
• Routinely clean front-of-house areas and report safety hazards.

Skills

Specialty coffee experience

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

Smart Serve Certification

Food Safety Certification

Job description

Overview & Opportunity

Synonym is a vibrant day‑and‑night café, resto‑bar, and bookshop located on James St. North, Hamilton, celebrating art, design, and culture. We offer specialty coffee, a from‑scratch menu, low‑intervention wine, craft beer, and a curated collection of art books. We are seeking an enthusiastic front‑of‑house professional with a solid specialty coffee background to join our team immediately as we gear up for an exciting season in the James North neighborhood.

Responsibilities

Teamwork

• Bring a positive, collaborative attitude to work, supporting peers and contributing to a welcoming environment.

Service

• Provide a warm, welcoming experience to guests, following service flow guidelines.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of the full menu, including rotating wine, craft beer, and the bookshop selection.
• Take ownership of the front‑of‑house (bar, seating area, bookshop), creating a memorable experience for guests.
• Handle guest orders at the counter and tables, inputting accurately into the POS system.

Product Preparation

• Prepare and serve a variety of espresso‑based drinks, pastries, and other beverages quickly and consistently.
• Serve wine and beer, assist with food running, and package books according to brand standards.
• Proactively address any guest concerns to enhance their experience.

Environment

• Routinely clean front‑of‑house areas (bar, tables, floor, equipment, etc.) and replenish supplies (cream, sugar, to‑go packaging).
• Report any potential safety hazards and operational inconsistencies to the manager on duty.
• Follow opening, mid‑day, and closing procedures, signing off duties upon completion.

Other Responsibilities

• Support Synonym’s events and other assigned duties as needed.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of specialty coffee experience in a café/restaurant/bar setting
• Smart Serve Certified; Food Safety Certification preferred
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• Downtown Hamilton location; flexible hours, full‑time or part‑time available
• Two industry references required

Join us in creating an exceptional experience for our guests and community!

Job Details

• Job Types: Full‑time, Part‑time
• Pay: $17.20–$20.00 per hour
• Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Additional Pay

• Overtime pay
• Tips

Benefits

• Discounted or free food

Schedule

• 8‑hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location

• In person