General Manager

Private Advertiser; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A premium bar operation in Kuala Lumpur is searching for a General Manager to oversee bar and kitchen operations while delivering luxury service standards. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in nightlife settings, strong financial acumen managing costs and P&L, and the ability to lead and motivate a team. Responsibilities include effective event planning, guest engagement, and maintaining a premium nightlife atmosphere. Flexibility to work late shifts and weekends is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in nightlife, premium bars, or luxury lounges.
• Strong financial skills in managing COGS and P&L.
• Flexible to work late nights, weekends, and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day bar and kitchen operations.
• Drive revenue through upselling strategies and guest engagement.
• Maintain a strong presence and lead service during busy nights.

Skills

Financial management

Guest engagement

Staff training

Event planning

Crowd reading

Tools

Excel

POS systems

Job description

We are looking for a street-smart, commercially sharp General Manager to run a premium bar operation. This role blends high-end hotel service standards with real nightlife instincts.

Key Responsibilities

Own COGS, P&L, daily sales performance, margin control, and wastage management.

Oversee day-to-day bar and kitchen operations, ensuring smooth service during peak hours.

Manage inventory, suppliers, and ordering with strong cost discipline.

Prepare and present accurate operational and financial updates to the owner.

Floor Leadership & Guest Experience (High-End Standards)

Maintain a strong presence on the floor, leading service during busy nights and events.

Deliver luxury hotel-level service with attention to detail and guest recognition.

Handle VIPs, influencers, and high-profile guests with confidence and discretion.

Resolve guest issues calmly while protecting the venue’s reputation and experience.

Event & Nightlife Operations

Plan and execute themed nights, special events, and activations to drive traffic and revenue.

Coordinate with promoters, DJs, and external vendors.

Adapt quickly to live operational challenges during events.

Ensure events align with brand identity and quality standards.

Music, Atmosphere & Crowd Reading

Read the crowd and adjust music flow, energy, and service pacing accordingly.

Source and manage DJs that fit the venue’s sound and positioning.

Maintain a controlled, premium nightlife atmosphere.

Revenue Growth & Upselling

Drive revenue through smart upselling, bottle service strategies, and guest engagement.

Train staff to upsell naturally while maintaining premium service standards.

Identify real-time sales opportunities on the floor.

Recruit, train, and manage bartenders, servers, hosts, ambassadors, and kitchen staff.

Build a disciplined, motivated, and service-oriented team culture.

Lead calmly under pressure and set the standard for professionalism.

Implement training, incentives, and performance management.

Possess practical knowledge of bar operations and cocktail service.

Work closely with mixologists and kitchen teams to ensure service consistency.

Ensure food quality, speed, and coordination with bar operations.

Requirements

Proven experience in nightlife, premium bars, luxury lounges, or high-end hospitality.

Street-smart, commercially minded, and confident handling live operations.

Strong financial skills with hands-on experience managing COGS and P&L.

Comfortable engaging VIP guests and managing high-pressure situations.

Good IT skills including Excel, POS systems, and reporting tools.

Strong understanding of music, nightlife flow, and crowd psychology.

Flexible to work late nights, weekends, and public holidays.