Cocktail Bar Manager

Bespoke Hotels; West of England; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Service charge on salary

Team social events

Discounted stays at Bespoke Hotels

Discounted gym membership

Uniform

Employee of the Month

Job summary

Hotel Gotham Bristol is seeking a Bar Manager to lead our pre-opening beverage operation in the courtroom cocktail lounge. You will recruit, train and develop the bar team, and deliver an exceptional wine and cocktail experience, while upholding five-star service standards.

Based in Bristol's iconic Guildhall transformation, you will create drinks menus, oversee beverage service across bar and restaurant, and partner with the team to deliver memorable guest experiences from day one.

Qualifications

• Leadership of a beverage team with a focus on wine and cocktails.
• Experience creating and delivering drinks menus and staff training.
• Knowledge of licensing laws and five-star service standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-opening beverage operation in the courtroom lounge.
• Recruit, train and develop the bar team to deliver exceptional service.
• Create, prepare and deliver drinks menus with wine knowledge and pairings.
• Oversee beverage service across bar and restaurant and support events.

Skills

Beverage leadership

Wine knowledge

Cocktail development

Staff training

Menu development

Job description

Be Part of Bristol's First Luxury Five Star Lifestyle Hotel

Hotel Gotham first turned heads in Manchester, earning the title of "Europe's sexiest hotel". Following a show-stopping opening in Newcastle, the curtain now rises on the next act of the Gotham story - and this time, Bristol takes centre stage.

The iconic Grade II listed Guildhall is being thoughtfully transformed into Bristol's first luxury five star lifestyle hotel. Rich in history and architectural grandeur, expect breathtaking Gothic windows, magnificent stained glass and original period features around every corner. It's a setting worthy of Gotham.

Hotel Gotham is more than just a hotel – it’s a way of life. A vibe. A 5-star, theatrical, vibrant, stylish, dramatic experience – for guests and colleagues.

As our Bar Manager, you'll play a pivotal role as a member of the senior management team during the pre-opening phase of our breathtaking hotel. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead an exceptional beverage operation from the very beginning, creating a destination bar experience that perfectly complements the distinctive Gotham brand.

Your stage will be our spectacularly restored courtroom cocktail lounge, where original architectural features including the Judge's Bench, witness box and jury seating create a bar experience unlike anything else in Bristol. Rich in history, theatre and character, this will be the heart of your operation – and you'll be the person bringing it to life.

Predominantly based in the courtroom, you'll lead the team in delivering an exceptional cocktail and wine experience, whilst overseeing beverage service throughout our signature restaurant and supporting the delivery of events across the hotel.

We're looking for someone with a genuine passion and depth of knowledge for wine and beverages – someone who can become the go-to person for our guests when they're looking for something a little extra 'Gotham'. Whether that's recommending the perfect wine to accompany dinner, creating a bespoke cocktail, hosting a wine-focused experience or simply knowing exactly what to pour for a guest who says, "Surprise me".

From recruitment and training through to service standards, beverage specifications and operational procedures, you'll establish the foundations of a five-star beverage operation from day one.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• The assure an exceptional level of product, service and menu knowledge for the hotel venue through menu development, staff training and team culture
• Create, prepare and deliver all types of drinks menus for all bar and restaurant areas, possessing comprehensive knowledge of wine, cocktails, and beverage menus, along with an understanding of suitable food pairings.
• To ensure the team are consistently achieving high standards of cleanliness and brand service are achieved in all areas
• Ensure the completion and efficiency of all standard checklists and that they are utilised
• To set and maintain all standard policies and procedures for the beverage team
• To be fully competent with the licencing laws and regulations for alcohol sale, and promote this within the beverage team
• To encompass and deliver the correct service in all areas of the venue, ensuring the five-star service and expectation is always maintained, taking responsibility for the quality of all elements – promoting this across the bar department
• To ensure all documentation, i.e. checks/bills are completed as necessary and carried out as per the Hotel and Company Standards
• To strive and anticipate the customer needs whenever possible and always reaching to these to enhance customer satisfaction
• To recruit, train and develop the bar team
• To proactively review and identify ways to improve customer satisfaction, procedures and policies within the venue in their own department and throughout the venue offerings
• To be aware of the Licensing Laws in England, Scotland and Wales (where applicable)
• Able and coherent in who to direct guests to if unable to answer queries
• To comprehend all procedures and regulations regarding food safety and allergens, always ensuring strict compliance with the standards and expectations
• Fully consistent with the presentation, delivery and service of all drinks within the venue.
• Engage with guests to promote, upsell but most importantly enhance their journey and experience

We're looking for passionate hospitality professionals ready to take centre stage and help bring the Gotham experience to life from day one. If you have exceptional communication skills, outstanding attention to detail and thrive as part of a high-performing team, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Hotel Gotham Bristol?

• Be part of the opening team at Bristol's first luxury five-star lifestyle hotel.
• Work in one of the city's most iconic historic buildings.
• Join a passionate, supportive and ambitious founding cast.
• Opportunities for training, career development and progression.
• Staff discounts
• Inclusion in service charge additional to salary
• Calendar of Team Social Events
• Unique monthly code for discounted stays at a number of Bespoke Hotels
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Years Service Recognition
• Uniform
• Employee of the Month