Bartender - Guards Bar

Raffles Hotels & Resorts; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Staff meals

Free dry cleaning

Pension

Life Assurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Raffles London at The OWO seeks an experienced bartender for the Guards Bar. You will set up and stock the bar, produce and serve drinks to the highest Raffles standards, and support bar backs and floor staff to ensure a flawless guest experience.

Collaborating with bar management to develop seasonal menus, maintain impeccable presentation, and uphold health, safety and sustainability practices is essential.

Qualifications

• A proven track record and ability to provide high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task while maintaining an immaculate and professional appearance.
• An understanding and willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Responsibilities

• Set up and stock the bar for service.
• Making and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to guests.
• Lead and support bar backs, assist waiters and floor staff during service.
• Develop and implement seasonal menus and specials with bar management.
• Ensure safety and cleanliness; comply with health standards.
• Respond to guest feedback professionally; maintain sustainability practices.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Time management

Flexibility

Job description

Company Description

Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall, unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses with a name is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extraordinary adventure.

Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall, unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses with a name is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extraordinary adventure.

This fine Grade II* listed Edwardian building has been transformed with 120 rooms and suites along with a collection of 85 exceptional branded residences. Within The OWO destination there are a total of nine restaurants and three bars, including one by our signature chef Mauro Colagreco. The Guerlain spa and Pillar Wellness offer the latest in wellbeing, and a 600‑seated capacity grand ballroom, The Whitehall, is perfect for all kinds of special occasions and events.

Within these much‑storied walls, where legendary statesmen and women once shaped the modern world, guests are now invited to discover new and inspiring emotions and connections.

At Raffles, you arrive as a guest, leave as a friend and return as family.

Job Description

Scope Of Position

Your role will be responsible for setting up and stocking the bar for service. Producing and serving alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks to guest and Raffles standards. Leading and supporting the bar backs whilst assisting waiters and floor staff during service. Responsible for performing tasks to the highest standards from the moment a guest enters to the moment they leave and enhancing their experience with us.

You will work with the bar management to help develop, create and implement seasonal menus and specials.

Responsibilities

Operation

• Knowledge of menu and all products served within the Guards Bar.
• Deliver food and beverage orders to customers’ tables rapidly and accurately with an explanation of each item for the guest.
• Assist the floor staff with table setting by fetching and placing appropriate tableware, eating utensils and napkins.
• Responsible for the set up and restocking of the bar and back‑of‑house areas.
• Making and preparing alcoholic drinks, cocktails, wines, spirits and soft drinks.
• Explain menu items to the guest with a knowledgeable and professional manner.
• Check in with customers and take additional orders or refill water, as needed and requested by senior colleagues.
• Ensure food is served in accordance with safety standards.
• Inform bar staff about customers’ feedback or requests.
• Commit to best possible sustainable practices daily in terms of waste management and purchasing.
• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned including working in a different department or restaurant, than usually assigned.

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified.
• Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and Bomb procedures.
• Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statutes and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre‑planning a defence against them.
• Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department.

Qualifications

Essential

• A proven track record and ability to provide high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multi‑task while maintaining an immaculate and professional appearance.
• An understanding and willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Desirable

• Previous experience within a luxury hotel environment working with LQA, Forbes 5* or equivalent standards.

Additional Information

This document reflects the job content at time of writing and will be subject to periodic change in the light of changing operational and environmental requirements. Such changes will be discussed with the jobholder and the job description amended accordingly.

Why join our Raffles team?

• 28 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years (35 Days).
• Staff meals while on duty.
• Free dry cleaning for uniform.
• Employer pension contribution of 3%
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
• Life Assurance 1x salary.
• Employee assistance program, including virtual GP and financial advice.
• Season ticket loans and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions.
• Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice.
• Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you.
• Fun‑filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party.
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide and Raffles London F&B outlets.
• Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio.

What are the Raffles Values?

Respect: We value the needs, ideas and individuality of others; we treat everyone with fairness and dignity.

Belonging: We celebrate our differences. We support each other and we always stand together.

Integrity: We build trust through mutual respect and being authentic.

Empowerment: We have the authority to take initiative and anticipate moments to create unforgettable experiences.

Excellence: We make genuine connections and we cherish every opportunity to make the people around us feel special.