Assistant Bar Manager

The Grace; Westport; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Grace in Westport, Ireland, is seeking an Assistant Bar Manager to support the Bar Manager in delivering luxury bar operations across our outlets. You will coach bartenders, uphold service standards, and ensure seamless guest experiences.

You will help implement beverage programs, supervise staff rosters, monitor stock and costs, and contribute to menu development while maintaining the highest brand standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in upscale or luxury bar operations.
• Certifications: Food Safety, Responsible Alcohol Service.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Support the Bar Manager in executing daily bar operations, ensuring seamless service delivery and exceptional guest experiences.
• Uphold service standards, bar protocols, and guest engagement practices in line with luxury brand standards.
• Maintain bar ambiance, cleanliness, and mise en place for impeccable presentation.
• Provide operational support for food service in Kelly's Bar, working with Kitchen team to ensure efficient service and guest satisfaction.
• Assist with managing guest feedback and resolving service issues promptly and professionally.
• Assist in implementing curated beverage programs, including cocktails, spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic offerings.
• Collaborate to execute seasonal beverage menus, promotions, and special events.
• Conduct quality checks, tastings, and service observations to ensure consistency and adherence to brand standards.
• Support continuous improvement of beverage offerings through innovation and guest feedback.
• Supervise bartenders, mixologists, attendants, and staff during service periods.
• Prepare and manage weekly team rosters, ensuring appropriate staffing levels.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and ongoing training in mixology, product knowledge, food service, and luxury guest service.
• Foster a positive team culture promoting collaboration and accountability.
• Lead by example with high performance and guest experiences.
• Monitor stock levels, conduct inventory checks, and support beverage cost control initiatives.
• Review and approve staff rosters, monitor payroll accuracy, and control labour costs.
• Analyze labour utilisation and roster efficiency to meet occupancy needs.
• Provide input into promotions, events, and sales-driving initiatives to maximise revenue.
• Support Bar Manager in achieving departmental financial targets.

Skills

Leadership

Guest service

Cocktail culture

Wine & Spirits

POS systems

Job description

The Assistant Bar Manager supports the Bar Manager in overseeing day-to-day bar operations across the hotel's outlets. This role plays a pivotal part in maintaining service excellence, driving beverage program execution, coaching team members, and ensuring compliance with operational and brand standards.

Principle Responsibilities

• Support the Bar Manager in executing daily bar operations, ensuring seamless service delivery and exceptional guest experiences.
• Uphold and reinforce service standards, bar protocols, and guest engagement practices in line with the hotel's luxury brand standards.
• Maintain bar ambiance, cleanliness, and mise en place to ensure an impeccable presentation at all times.
• Provide operational support for the food service offering in Kelly's Bar, working closely with the Kitchen team to ensure efficient service, product quality, and guest satisfaction.
• Assist with managing guest feedback and resolving service issues promptly and professionally.

Beverage Program & Quality Control

• Assist in implementing curated beverage programs, including cocktails, spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic offerings.
• Collaborate with the team to execute seasonal beverage menus, promotions, and special events.
• Conduct quality checks, product tastings, and service observations to ensure consistency and adherence to brand standards.
• Support the continuous improvement of beverage offerings through innovation, market awareness, and guest feedback.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise bartenders, mixologists, food and beverage attendants, and support staff during service periods.
• Prepare and manage weekly team rosters, ensuring appropriate staffing levels to meet business demands while maintaining labour productivity targets.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and ongoing training in mixology, product knowledge, food service, and luxury guest service.
• Foster a positive team culture that encourages collaboration, accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example, promoting high performance and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Monitor stock levels, conduct inventory checks, and support beverage cost control initiatives.
• Review and approve staff rosters, monitor payroll accuracy, and assist in controlling labour costs in line with departmental budgets.
• Analyse labour utilisation and roster efficiency, making adjustments to meet occupancy and business requirements.
• Provide operational input into promotions, events, and sales-driving initiatives to maximise revenue.
• Support the Bar Manager in achieving departmental financial targets, including revenue, cost control, and profitability.

Compliance, Safety & Standards

• Ensure compliance with all licensing, food safety, health and safety, and responsible service of alcohol legislation.
• Support enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including RSA compliance, ID verification, food safety, cash handling, and guest safety.
• Participate in audits, inspections, and risk assessments, ensuring corrective actions are implemented promptly.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and well-organised working environment that reflects the standards of a luxury hospitality operation.

This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive, it is issued as a framework to outline main areas of responsibility at the time of writing.

Required Experience & Skills

• 1-2 years' experience managing upscale or luxury bar operations.
• Expertise in cocktail culture, wine, spirits, and luxury beverage service.
• Proficient in POS and inventory management systems.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and guest service skills.
• Certifications: Food Safety, Responsible Alcohol Service.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland.