Bar Manager

Bedford Hotel; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

ILH Training Academy

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Uniform dry-cleaning

Season Ticket Loan

Workplace Pension

Friends and family hotel discount

Job summary

Bedford Hotel in Bloomsbury, central London, is seeking a Bar Manager for Botanica to lead a premium, high-energy bar operation. You will shape a contemporary beverage programme, create signature cocktails, and drive guest experiences that reflect London’s spirit.

As a hands-on leader, you’ll coach a confident team, manage stock and costs, and ensure safety and licensing compliance while delivering memorable service across busy F&B outlets.

Qualifications

• Experience in premium, high-volume bar environments.
• Strong beverage knowledge and product sense.
• Leadership and coaching experience with a guest-focused team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a modern, polished bar service.
• Be visible during peak times and resolve guest issues.
• Maintain impeccable drink presentation and pace.
• Coach and develop a confident, guest-focused team.
• Own the drinks vision including cocktails, seasonal serves and premium spirits.
• Manage stock, GP%, wastage and ordering.
• Ensure POS accuracy and cash controls.
• Uphold licensing and allergen standards.

Skills

Premium beverage knowledge

Coaching & team development

Cost control & menu engineering

Leadership

POS & cash controls

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Role: Bar Manager – Botanica at Bedford Hotel

Hours: Full-time

Location: Bedford Hotel, Bloomsbury, London

About Us

We’re looking for a warm and welcoming individual to join our dedicated Food & Beverage team at our hotel in Bloomsbury, central London. As a key member of our team, you'll play an essential role in ensuring our guests have a memorable stay in our F&B Outlets. Part of the Imperial London Hotels family, we are a seventh‑generation, family‑run business with a 187‑year legacy and a renewed vision for modern, authentic London hospitality.

About the Role

As Bar Manager for Botanica, you’ll be the driving force behind one of Bloomsbury’s best‑kept secrets. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who thrives on energy, precision and creativity in equal measure.

You’ll shape an on‑trend, seasonal beverage programme that feels fresh, premium and distinctly London — from signature cocktails and premium spirits to no- and low‑alcohol options, curated wines and beers, and engaging supplier activations throughout our summer BBQ season.

You’ll bring Botanica’s secret garden to life during the warmer months and create a cosy, welcoming experience as the seasons change. With a keen eye for detail, you’ll ensure every serve looks exceptional, every interaction feels personal, and every service runs with pace, confidence and style.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead a modern, polished service style
• Be visible during peak times and resolve guest issues
• Maintain impeccable drink presentation and pace
• Coach and develop a confident, guest‑focused team with a strong sense of service identity
• Coach on beverage craft, storytelling and upselling
• Own the drinks vision including cocktails, seasonal serves and premium spirits
• Manage stock, GP%, wastage and ordering
• Ensure POS accuracy, cash controls and bar setup
• Uphold licensing, food safety and allergen standards
• Collaborate across the hotel to deliver seamless service
• Monitor guest feedback across online platforms and react with timely, thoughtful solutions that reinforce our service standards
• Working alongside the Head Chef to deliver menu changes

Who You Are

• Experienced in premium, high‑volume bar environments
• Strong beverage knowledge
• Commercially sharp with cost control and menu engineering skills
• Skilled in coaching and team development
• Personal Licence Holder with food safety training

What’s In It for You

• 28 days holiday, rising to 33 with length of service (including bank holidays)
• Access to ILH Training Academy programmes, apprenticeships and supported study
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Complimentary uniform dry‑cleaning, plus discounted personal dry‑cleaning
• Interest‑free Season Ticket Loan
• Workplace Pension
• Team member flat rate and 50% friends and family hotel discount
• 50% discount across ILH F&B outlets
• Discounted drinks at Blooms Café
• Employee‑funded Health Cash Plan
• Local Bloomsbury discounts
• Early Pay access
• Shopping discounts with selected retailers
• Salary sacrifice schemes including nursery care, cycle to work, and technology
• Access to mental health first‑aiders, wellbeing support and the Employee Assistance Programme