Bar Manager

Luxury Cocktail Lounge; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Luxury Cocktail Lounge in Chicago seeks a Bar Manager to lead the team and elevate service standards. The role oversees operations, beverage programming, and brand events while driving guest satisfaction and financial performance.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years of upscale hospitality management experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for cocktails. This is a hands-on leadership position within a dynamic, hospitality-focused venue.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hospitality management experience, preferably in cocktail bars, lounges, or upscale nightlife concepts.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and retain strong teams.
• Strong financial acumen and operational expertise.
• Passion for hospitality, cocktails, and guest experience.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example to cultivate a positive, inclusive, and service-driven culture.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop a best-in-class front-of-house team.
• Set clear expectations and hold managers and staff accountable to standards.
• Foster open communication and strong collaboration across all departments.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure seamless service and exceptional guest experiences.
• Maintain and continuously improve service, cocktail, and hospitality standards.
• Actively engage with guests to build relationships and encourage repeat business.
• Resolve guest concerns promptly and professionally.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Control labor and operating costs while maintaining quality.
• Oversee cash handling, reporting, and administrative procedures.
• Analyze performance metrics and implement improvements as needed.
• Partner with ownership and bar leadership on menu development and programming.
• Ensure consistency and excellence in cocktail execution and presentation.
• Execute events, activations, and special programming aligned with the brand.
• Represent us within the Chicago hospitality community.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain health, safety, and alcohol service standards.
• Implement and manage systems related to scheduling, payroll, inventory, and POS.

Skills

Hospitality management

Leadership

Financial acumen

Operations

Job description

L ocated at the gateway to the Fulton Market District, our luxury cocktail lounge is currently seeking a Bar Manager to lead the team!

• Compensation: 70k + bonus!

Who We’re Looking For: We’re seeking a dynamic leader with cocktail lounge or upscale bar management experience, a sharp business mind, and a true passion for hospitality. The Bar Manager will inspire and develop the team, drive financial performance, and ensure every guest enjoys a memorable experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Culture

• Lead by example to cultivate a positive, inclusive, and service-driven culture
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop a best-in-class front-of-house team
• Set clear expectations and hold managers and staff accountable to standards
• Foster open communication and strong collaboration across all departments

Operations & Guest Experience

• Oversee daily operations to ensure seamless service and exceptional guest experiences
• Maintain and continuously improve service, cocktail, and hospitality standards
• Actively engage with guests to build relationships and encourage repeat business
• Resolve guest concerns promptly and professionally

Financial & Administrative Management

• Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance
• Control labor and operating costs while maintaining quality
• Oversee cash handling, reporting, and administrative procedures
• Analyze performance metrics and implement improvements as needed

Beverage, Programming & Brand Execution

• Partner with ownership and bar leadership on menu development and programming
• Ensure consistency and excellence in cocktail execution and presentation
• Execute events, activations, and special programming aligned with the brand
• Represent us within the Chicago hospitality community

Compliance & Systems

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
• Maintain health, safety, and alcohol service standards
• Implement and manage systems related to scheduling, payroll, inventory, and POS

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of hospitality management experience, preferably in cocktail bars, lounges, or upscale nightlife concepts
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and retain strong teams
• Strong financial acumen and operational expertise
• Passion for hospitality, cocktails, and guest experience
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

This is an ideal position for someone who is dedicated to providing great service and is seeking to become a member of a hard-working and fun team

Physical Requirements:

• Lift and move up to 10 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Safely and effectively use all necessary tools, equipment, and cleaning chemicals
• Stand and walk for an entire shift, including moving safely through all areas of the restaurant which may include stairs, uneven, and/or slick surfaces
• Ability to bear exposure to hot and cold environments

We look forward to hearing from you!