Head Bartender

Nightcap PLC; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A premium cocktail bar in Central London is seeking a Head Bartender to lead the team and ensure exceptional service. This role emphasizes quality over speed, requiring proven experience, technical cocktail knowledge, and strong leadership skills. If you care about creating memorable guest experiences and enjoy mentoring others, this is the right opportunity for you. Join us in a unique and creative bar environment aiming for the best in the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior or Head Bartender in quality-focused cocktail bars.
• Strong technical knowledge of classic cocktails, flavor, and techniques.
• Ability to lead confidently while maintaining a calm atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Lead and train bar team to maintain high service standards.
• Deliver high-quality cocktails with precision and attention to detail.
• Manage stock, deliveries, and wastage effectively.

Skills

Leading and mentoring

Cocktail crafting

Attention to detail

Team building

Job description

Overview

As Head Bartender, you'll take ownership of the bar operation day to day, leading the team by example and maintaining the standards for calm, confident service and exceptional drinks. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who believes great hospitality is built through detail, consistency, and thoughtful execution where we are able to anticipate our guests needs.

Responsibilities

• Leading the bar team on shift, setting clear standards for service, drinks quality, and professionalism
• Delivering consistently high-quality cocktails with precision and attention to detail
• Training, mentoring, and developing bartenders to build confidence, skill, and pride in the bar
• Maintaining excellent standards across cleanliness, glassware, prep, and presentation
• Supporting menu development alongside senior leadership and ensuring that the drinks are executed to expectations
• Managing and/or monitoring stock, ordering, deliveries, prep, and wastage with strong commercial awareness
• Maintain a calm, organised bar environment that supports both the team and guest experience, PRECISION AS STANDARD: We are a quality-led sanctuary where standards aren't just a manual, they are our craft.
• FLOW OVER FRICTION: Our service is designed to support focus and craft, not chaos. We provide the breathing room to execute world-class hospitality.
• CREATIVE OWNERSHIP: You aren't just a member of staff; you're a curator. You will have direct input into our art-inspired menus, training, and always curious about our beautiful industry.
• PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP: Join a team that treats hospitality as a profession. We take our work seriously and find genuine joy in doing it exceptionally well.
• A LANDMARK OPENING: This is a considered, prestige relaunch in Central London. Help us build a brand aiming for the best bars in the UK...and more.

What we're looking for

This role isn't about speed or volume. It's about taking care and looking after those that are looking for a space to forget and be inspired. We're looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience as a Senior or Head Bartender in quality-focused cocktail bars
• Has strong technical knowledge of classic cocktails, flavour, balance, and techniques
• Leads confidently and calmly, upholds standards through example
• Cares about consistency, structure, and getting the basics right every time
• Enjoys developing others and keep a positive team culture
• Understands that great hospitality is about connection, not hard selling

If you're motivated by covers per hour, this probably isn't the right fit. If you're motivated by craft, pride, and creating memorable guest experiences, we'd love to talk.