Bar Manager

Focus Hotels Management Limited; Derry/Londonderry; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay + tips

Flexible working hours

Fun, energetic and different place to働

Job summary

Kaboodle is seeking a Bar Manager to take ownership of day-to-day operations in a fast-paced venue. You’ll lead from the front, elevate service, and ensure guests have an unforgettable experience from entry to departure.

You’ll manage the team, oversee guest flow, stock, costs and rota planning, and drive upselling and guest engagement. Flexible evenings, weekends and holidays are required; competitive pay and tips, staff discounts and worldwide hotel discounts await.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year’s management experience in a bar/restaurant.
• Experience in a fast-paced venue and ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Passion for food, cocktails, drinks and service.
• Strong leadership with ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day operation of Kaboodle and lead from the front during busy periods.
• Ensure the venue is prepped for service with morning meetings and briefings.
• Create an exceptional guest experience across food, drinks and service.
• Manage guest flow, bookings and seating for a smooth guest journey.
• Monitor costs, productivity, stock and overall performance.
• Oversee cash handling, card payments, floats and end-of-day procedures.
• Drive sales through upselling, promotions and strong customer engagement.
• Recruit, train, develop and retain a high-performing team.
• Maintain hygiene and legal standards in food & beverage areas.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Guest experience

Upselling

Stock control

Rota planning

Cost management

Decision making

Motivation

Flexibility

Tools

POS systems

Cash handling

Job description

Bar Manager – Kaboodle

Ready to take the reins at one of the city’s most exciting entertainment venues?

Are you energetic, confident and seriously passionate about hospitality? Do you love creating unforgettable experiences, leading a great team and making sure every guest walks away wanting to come back?

Then Kaboodle wants to hear from you!

We’re looking for a Bar Manager to join our team and take ownership of the day-to-day running of our vibrant venue. This isn’t a role where you’ll be hiding in the office — you’ll be right in the action, leading from the front, keeping the energy high and making sure our guests have an amazing time from the moment they walk through the door.

At Kaboodle, great drinks, great food and great experiences come together — and we need someone who can bring it all to life.

The Role

As Bar Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind the operation. You’ll lead, motivate and inspire the team while keeping standards high, service sharp and the venue buzzing.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day operation of Kaboodle and leading from the front, especially during our busiest periods.
• Making sure the venue is fully prepped and ready for service, including morning meetings, team briefings and sharing key information.
• Creating an exceptional guest experience, maintaining consistently high standards across food, drinks and service.
• Managing guest flow, bookings and seating to create a smooth and enjoyable journey from start to finish.
• Keeping a close eye on costs, productivity, stock and overall performance.
• Keeping the team informed, motivated and accountable for delivering our service and operational standards.
• Taking responsibility for cash handling, card payments, floats, change orders and end-of-day procedures.
• Driving sales through upselling, incentives, promotions and great customer engagement.
• Listening to our guests and acting on feedback — from in-venue conversations to TripAdvisor and other review platforms.
• Creating a smart, cost-effective weekly rota, making sure we have the right people in the right place at the right time.
• Helping recruit, train, develop and retain an energetic, engaged and high-performing team.
• Giving your team the confidence and skills to handle guest feedback — whether it’s a compliment or a complaint.
• Ensuring our food and beverage areas consistently meet company, hygiene and legal standards.

Who Are We Looking For?

We’re not just looking for someone who has managed a bar before. We’re looking for someone with personality, energy and a genuine passion for hospitality.

You’ll ideally have:

• At least 1 year’s management experience in a bar, restaurant or busy hospitality environment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced venue where things can change quickly and you know how to stay cool under pressure.
• A genuine passion for food, cocktails, drinks and great service.
• Strong leadership skills and the confidence to take charge when it matters.
• Excellent organisation and a seriously good eye for detail.
• The ability to make quick decisions and enjoy the buzz of a busy service.
• A natural talent for upselling and spotting opportunities to increase sales.
• Experience with stock control, cost management and rota planning.
• The ability to motivate, develop and bring out the best in your team.
• A positive, hands-on attitude — we need a leader who gets stuck in!
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who genuinely cares about the experience we give our guests and the people you lead.

What’s In It For You?

We believe great people deserve great perks. You’ll get:

Competitive pay + the opportunity to earn tips

Flexible working hours

A fun, energetic and genuinely different place to work

Real opportunities to grow and progress within the company

Staff discounts on food, drinks and entertainment

Worldwide IHG hotel discounts for you, your friends and family

…and the chance to be part of a team that’s creating something a little different from your typical bar job.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you’re the kind of manager who loves being in the middle of the action, thrives when the venue is buzzing and knows how to turn a good night into a great night, we want to meet you.

No two shifts at Kaboodle are the same — and that’s exactly how we like it.