Bar Manager

American Social - Fort Lauderdale; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

American Social - Fort Lauderdale is seeking a Bar Manager to lead a high-energy bar and beverage program. You will oversee bartenders and barbacks, drive guest satisfaction to a 5-star standard, and manage beverage cost and P&L performance.

The role requires hiring, training, and scheduling while maintaining brand guidelines and safety standards. You will partner with events and marketing teams to execute promotions and ensure smooth operations during busy periods.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of manager experience in a high-volume bar/restaurant.
• Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.
• Experience with back-office systems and POS platforms is required.
• Knowledge of P&L reporting and cost controls is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of bartenders, barbacks, and support staff to deliver a 5-star guest experience.
• Manage beverage cost, inventory, and ordering based on pars and trends.
• Schedule staff to meet budgeted coverage and operational goals.
• Ensure safety, sanitation, and brand-guided appearance standards.
• Collaborate with events, marketing, and operations to execute PR and parties.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

P&L analysis

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Hospitality degree (associates, bachelors, certificates)

Serv Safe Certification

Tools

Restaurant 365

Hot Schedules

Micros

Job description

The Bar Manager is responsible for the energy center of the Bar & Restaurant. They lead a team of professional bartenders in all aspects of bar and beverage operations. They ensure every guest has a 5 Star experience and reacts quickly to any issues that arise. The Bar Manager will source, hire, and train team members following American Social Guidelines, values, and extremely high standards. They keep cost controls front of mind and communicate beverage cost expectations and practices. They play an instrumental role in creating a fun and lively environment through managing all aspects of atmosphere including music, lighting, sound, and special events. This person is a brand representative that maintains a patient and positive attitude. They hold the team accountable for top tier results and are passionate about beverage and hospitality. The Bar Manager works with pride and must have a tremendous work ethic that sets the tone for the team.

Responsibilities

• Sources, hires, leads, coordinates, coaches, and directs all Bartenders and Barbacks
• Maintains a high level of Guest satisfaction and reacts instantly to anything less than a 5 Star experience
• Trains and validates new Bartenders and Barbacks, as well as provides ongoing training and coaching to all existing team members
• Schedules Bartenders and Barbacks to budget for proper coverage and effectiveness based on performance
• Oversees beverage cost and runs costs to goal or better. This is achieved through managing standards and holding Bartenders and Department Managers accountable for results
• Performs accurate inventories and clearly communicates beverage cost to Leadership
• Manages controllable costs to goal and is responsible for the overall bar and beverage P&L results
• Produces action plans to achieve desired results and hit all financial goals when opportunities arise
• Places order for liquor, beer, wine, and various bar related items based on pars and business trends
• Places order for bar smallwares glassware based on pars
• Holds regular department meetings for training and development
• Holds team accountability to policies and procedures set forth by American Social
• Keep a clear line of communication within the team including Managers, Chefs, and the Director of Operations
• Responsible for implementing and holding strict standards for safety and sanitation as well as overall bar organization and storage
• Understands seasonal and local business trends and creates accurate projections allowing for proper planning of budgets, labor, and beverage costs
• Meets with beverage distributors and suppliers to leverage pricing and promotional opportunities
• Reviews all beverage related reports, follows up on issues, and communicates opportunities within the team
• Manages the beverage and bar related back office accounting and scheduling systems
• Performs Ready for Revenue and Quality Checks to ensure the restaurant is properly set, food is properly prepared, equipment is functioning, staffing is correct, and are set up for successful shifts
• Works directly with the Event Coordinator on all events, parties, and catering
• Works with Marketing on executing PR events often representing American Social at these events
• Holds team members to the proper Image and Appearance Guidelines including proper hygiene
• Monitors guest satisfaction measurements including Yelp and other reputation management as one tool to identify successes and challenges

Ability to

• Lead with integrity and respect
• Be adaptable to a changing environment
• Clearly communicate to all levels of the organization
• Manage a team of 12 managers and up to 150+ hourly team members
• Hold 1 on 1’s and communicate areas of opportunity and development
• Bring creative ideas to build sales and overall brand improvement
• Work in an organized manner
• Multi-task and have a great sense of urgency with changing priorities
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Maintain a professional and polished appearance
• Follow company budgets and established goals
• Succeed in a fast paced environment
• Prioritize projects and solicit direction when necessary
• Work nights and weekends
• Work assigned scheduled shifts
• Fluent in English; able to speak, read, write
• Perform job functions with attention to detail, speed and accuracy
• Transport items up to 30 pounds
• Remain in stationary position for up to 4 hours throughout work shift
• Work 12+ hour shifts as necessary

Education and Skills

• 5 years Manager experience in a Bar focused Full Service, High-Volume Restaurant
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Experience with back office and POS systems (Restaurant 365, Hot Schedules, Micros, etc.)
• Proficient in P&L analysis and various reporting
• Advanced organizational skills
• Bilingual is a plus
• Hospitality Degree is a plus (Associates, Bachelors, Certificates, etc.)
• Serv Safe Certified
• Strong knowledge of proper food handling and sanitation standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Must be authorized to work in the United States