Head Bartender

The Arts Club Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical benefits

Life Assurance

Long Service Awards

Reward Gateway Benefits Scheme

Discounts on food & beverage

Learning and development programmes

Enhanced maternity pay

Enhanced sickness pay

Complimentary meals on shift

Employee Assistance Programme

Birthday extra day off

Job summary

The Arts Club Limited is seeking a Head Bartender in London to oversee daily bar operations, drive service standards, and lead the bar team to deliver a seamless, high-quality guest experience for members and guests.

With strong leadership and advanced beverage knowledge, you will support the Bars Manager in driving sales, maintaining standards, and developing staff on a hands-on basis.

Qualifications

• Previous leadership experience in a busy bar environment.
• Strong knowledge of beverage trends and service standards.
• Excellent guest service and upselling skills.
• Ability to train and develop junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operation of the bar, ensuring service aligns with standards.
• Lead, motivate, and support bartenders and barbacks to maintain high performance.
• Ensure opening and closing procedures are completed per Bar Manager requirements.
• Act as main liaison between bar team and management, coordinating across departments.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences and respond to member and guest requests.
• Drive sales through upselling and product knowledge across bar offerings.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and presentation across all bar areas.
• Monitor stock levels and minimise wastage.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members.
• Handle guest feedback professionally and escalate when needed.
• Ensure hygiene, health & safety and security procedures are followed.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a seamless member experience.
• Lead by example with professionalism and initiative.

Job description

A Stage Unlike Any Other

In 1863, a group of artists, writers, and free thinkers gathered with a shared conviction: that the finest conversation, the boldest ideas, and the warmest hospitality belonged together under one roof. Charles Dickens dined here. Whistler argued here. Rodin was inspired here.

The Arts Club was born not as a venue, but as a living expression of creative life — and it has never stopped.

At the heart of that life today are the people and spaces that bring our club to life every day. This is more than an operation — it is an environment where members connect, create, and return time and time again because something about it feels truly special.

It takes an exceptional person to be part of that.

That person might be you.

Job Summary:

The Head Bartender is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the bar, ensuring exceptional service standards, team performance, and operational efficiency across all bar areas. This role combines strong leadership, advanced beverage knowledge, and a hands‑on approach to service, supporting the Bars Manager in driving sales, maintaining standards, and delivering a seamless and high‑quality experience for members and guests. The Head Bartender acts as a key link between management and the bar team, ensuring consistency, professionalism, and continuous development.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operation of the bar, ensuring service is delivered efficiently and in line with company standards.


• Lead, motivate, and support bartenders and barbacks to maintain high performance and service levels.


• Ensure all opening and closing procedures are completed in line with Bar Manager requirements.


• Act as the main point of contact between the bar team and management, communicating effectively across departments.


• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by responding promptly and professionally to member and guest requests.


• Ensure all bills are accurate, correctly presented, and processed in line with company procedures.


• Drive sales through upselling, product knowledge, and promoting all bar and Club offerings.


• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and presentation across all bar areas.


• Monitor and support stock control, ensuring appropriate levels and minimising wastage.


• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members, fostering continuous development.


• Handle guest feedback and complaints professionally, resolving issues or escalating where necessary.


• Ensure compliance with all hygiene, health and safety, and security procedures.


• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure a seamless member experience.


• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, initiative, and a strong presence on the floor.


• Attend training sessions and meetings as required.


• Carry out any other reasonable duties assigned by management.

In return, we offer an excellent range of rewards and benefits, including:

• Private medical benefits


• Life Assurance


• Long Service Awards


• Reward Gateway Benefits Scheme


• Discounts on food & beverage in our restaurants and sister businesses


• An exciting range of learning and development programmes & opportunities for continual progression


• Enhanced maternity pay


• Enhanced sickness pay


• Complimentary meals while on shift


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Birthday extra day off

*Terms and conditions apply to all the above benefits

Eligibility

In line with the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, all applicants must either be eligible to live and work in the UK or must obtain permits to work in the UK prior to application. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and encourage people of all different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives to apply. However applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK.

Compensation: Competitive salary