The Head Bartender leads all bar operations within the restaurant, ensuring exceptional beverage quality, seamless service, and a warm guest experience. This role combines creative mixology with strong leadership and operational management, ensuring that all drinks complement the restaurant’s culinary offerings and reflect the brand’s personality.
Responsibilities
- Bar Operations & Service — Oversee daily bar service, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent delivery of all beverages.
- Maintain a clean, organized bar — Ensure a clean, organized, and efficient bar area in line with hygiene and safety standards.
- Coordinate with restaurant team — Work closely with the restaurant team to coordinate beverage service during busy periods.
- Uphold service standards — Maintain restaurant service standards and ensure guest satisfaction at all times.
- Menu development — Design and update the cocktail and beverage menu, ensuring alignment with the restaurant’s cuisine and concept.
- Seasonal offerings — Introduce seasonal drinks and innovative beverage pairings to enhance the dining experience.
- Pairing collaboration — Collaborate with the culinary team on food and drink pairing recommendations.
- Team leadership — Supervise, train, and motivate bartenders and bar assistants.
- Training — Conduct regular training on mixology techniques, product knowledge, and guest interaction.
- Team culture — Foster a positive, team-oriented environment and promote service excellence.
- Inventory & cost control — Manage bar inventory, monitor stock levels, and coordinate ordering with suppliers.
- Waste reduction — Ensure accurate portioning and minimize waste to achieve beverage cost targets.
- Stock management — Conduct regular stocktakes and maintain accurate records.
- Guest engagement — Create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere for all guests at the bar.
- Feedback handling — Handle guest feedback professionally, ensuring quick and effective resolution.
- Guest relations — Build rapport with regular patrons and encourage repeat business.
- Compliance & maintenance — Ensure adherence to all liquor licensing laws, health, and safety standards.
- Equipment & records — Monitor bar equipment functionality and coordinate maintenance when required; maintain accurate records for temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and safety audits.
Qualifications & Experience
- Diploma or certificate in Hospitality Management or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 3 years of bartending experience, including 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role within a restaurant environment.
- Strong knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wines, and food pairing.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in POS and inventory management systems.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about hospitality and guest service.
- Creative and detail-oriented with a refined sense of taste and presentation.
- Approachable, confident, and a natural leader.
- Reliable, punctual, and adaptable to evening and weekend shifts.