Bar Manager - Blenheim Palace

Freemans Event Partners; England; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Event-based work

Work at Blenheim Palace

Job summary

Freemans Event Partners is seeking a Bar Manager for Blenheim Palace Christmas Light Trails. You will oversee the day-to-day operation of the bar, lead a team to deliver fast, friendly service, and ensure compliance with stock, cash handling, and licensing guidelines.

The role requires experience in bar management within hospitality or events, strong leadership, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a bar team in hospitality or events.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to manage stock, cash handling and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of your designated bar.
• Lead, motivate and support your team during shifts.
• Allocate duties and ensure adherence to procedures and guidelines.
• Monitor stock levels and minimise waste.
• Ensure tills are operated correctly and transactions processed accurately.
• Maintain cleanliness and presentation of the bar area.
• Ensure responsible alcohol service and licensing compliance.
• Assist with setup and close-down of bar operations.
• Monitor service levels and respond to operational challenges.

Skills

Bar management

Leadership

Customer service

Cash handling

Stock control

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Location: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Contract: Casual, Event-Based

Shifts Available: Mid-November 2026 – January 2027

Join Our Team at Blenheim Palace Christmas Light Trails.

We're recruiting experienced and enthusiastic Bar Managers to join our team at Blenheim Palace for the spectacular Christmas Light Trails.

Be part of the team delivering an unforgettable visitor experience at one of the UK's most iconic historic venues, as Blenheim Palace is transformed for the festive season.

With shifts available from mid-November through to January, this is a fantastic opportunity to take on a flexible management role during one of the busiest periods of the year.

As a Bar Manager, you'll play a key role in overseeing bar operations, supporting your team and ensuring visitors receive exceptional service throughout the event. You'll help create a welcoming, efficient and well‑organised environment while maintaining high standards of service, safety and presentation.

With flexible, event‑based shifts and opportunities to work at other major sporting events, festivals and live venues across the UK, there are plenty of opportunities to continue working with Freemans Event Partners throughout the year.

The Role:

As a Bar Manager, you'll be responsible for overseeing the day‑to‑day operation of your designated bar, leading and supporting your team to deliver fast, friendly and efficient service throughout the Blenheim Palace Christmas Light Trails.

You will help ensure the bar runs smoothly during busy periods, maintain excellent operational standards and create a positive working environment where your team can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of your designated bar, ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Lead, motivate and support your team to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Allocate duties and support team members throughout each shift.
• Ensure all team members follow company procedures, operational guidelines and uniform requirements.
• Monitor stock levels, oversee replenishment and minimise waste.
• Ensure tills and payment systems are operated correctly and all transactions are processed accurately.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and presentation across the bar area.
• Ensure responsible alcohol service and compliance with Challenge 25 and licensing requirements.
• Support bar setup and close‑down procedures, ensuring the area is ready for service and left in excellent condition.
• Monitor service levels during busy periods and respond proactively to operational challenges.

About You:

We're looking for people who:

• Are aged 18 or over.
• Have previous bar management or supervisory experience within hospitality, events or a similar fast‑paced environment.
• Have strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and support a team.
• Have excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Are confident making decisions and resolving issues in a busy operational environment.
• Have a good understanding of stock control, cash handling and bar operations.
• Understand the importance of responsible alcohol service, Challenge 25 and licensing compliance.
• Are organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Are reliable, punctual and professional.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and leading by example.
• Are available for shifts between mid-November and January, including evenings and weekends.
• Are comfortable working at an outdoor seasonal event during the winter months.

What You'll Receive:

• Flexible, event‑based work around your availability.
• Regular shift opportunities from mid-November through to January.
• The opportunity to manage a bar at the spectacular Blenheim Palace Christmas Light Trails.
• The chance to develop your leadership and operational management experience.
• A supportive team environment working alongside experienced event professionals.
• Valuable experience managing bar operations at a major seasonal visitor attraction.
• Opportunities to work at some of the UK's biggest sporting events, festivals and venues with Freemans Event Partners.

About Freemans Event Partners:

Freemans Event Partners is an award‑winning event hospitality provider, delivering exceptional food, drink and guest experiences at some of the UK's and Europe's leading sporting venues, festivals, attractions and live events.

With over 50 years of experience, we're passionate about creating unforgettable guest experiences while providing rewarding and flexible opportunities for our people.

If you're an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys leading a team, thrives in a fast‑paced environment and takes pride in delivering exceptional service, we'd love to welcome you to the team at Blenheim Palace this Christmas.

About Freemans Event Partners:

Our Bars team specialises in complete bar services tailored to any event with a focus on driving revenue and volume whilst still upholding the highest standards. Presenting the ‘Perfect Serve’ experience with our partner brands such as Heineken UK, Moët & Chandon, Bacardi, ABinBev and Diageo. We pour over 150 types of spirits, cocktail combinations, champagne, lager and cider, and 6.2 million pints of beer every year so your customers never leave thirsty. We provide high‑quality bars services for events, including festival bars, concerts, stadiums and sporting venues. We have long‑standing partnerships with some of the biggest names in the event industry, including Boomtown Fair, Victorious and We Are FSTVL, as well as concert and sporting venues, including London Stadium and Twickenham Stadium.