Bartender

Topography Hospitality, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation

Job summary

The Lake is a private social club opening Fall 2026 in Chicago’s River North. The Bartender will craft cocktails and beverages with precision, delivering warm, personalized hospitality to members and guests in a luxury setting.

We seek candidates with 2+ years of bartending in upscale venues, strong spirit and cocktail knowledge, and a collaborative, service‑mocused mindset; prior private club or Michelin‑level experience is a plus. Flexible hours; competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of bartending experience in upscale venues or clubs.
• Strong knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, spirits, wine and beer.
• Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver gracious, personalized service to members and guests.
• Prepare and serve cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages to spec.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked bar.
• Enter orders into POS and process transactions accurately.
• Participate in tastings, training, and beverage program development.

Skills

Bartending

Mixology

Guest service

Upscale dining

Tools

POS Systems

Inventory management

Job description

POSITION

Bartender

ABOUT THE LAKE:

The Lake is a new private social club opening in Fall 2026 in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Spanning 26,000 square feet, the clubhouse will feature a classic brick-and-limestone exterior paired with stylish contemporary interiors, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting. Designed to foster a vibrant, welcoming community, The Lake will center around an exceptional food and beverage program and bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a love of gathering with family and friends. The club will offer three distinct restaurants, including a French-inspired brasserie, a British American restaurant, and an Italian trattoria. In addition, members will enjoy two cocktail bars, a members’ wine cellar, a roof terrace, and three guest rooms, all thoughtfully designed to create a dynamic and curated experience.

ABOUT TOPOGRAPHY :

Topography is a hospitality company founded by Liam Krehbiel in 2021 that develops and operates a collection of luxurious hotels and clubs, with a vision to build a world-class company known for excellence in guest experience, employee satisfaction, financial performance, and environmental stewardship. The Lake will be Topography’s first property to open, with additional projects in development across Wisconsin, New England, and North Carolina.

SERVICE PHILOSOPHY:

At The Lake, the bar is more than a place to enjoy exceptional cocktails—it is a gathering place where memorable experiences and meaningful connections are created. Bartenders are expected to combine technical expertise with genuine hospitality, delivering personalized service while fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere for members and guests.

Team members are expected to uphold standards of service that are:

• Detail-oriented and highly personalized
• Professional, warm, and intuitive
• Refined yet approachable
• Consistent in quality while flexible to individual needs

Every interaction—from welcoming a member to crafting a signature cocktail—should reflect a seamless and elevated hospitality experience.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Bartender is responsible for creating exceptional beverage experiences while delivering warm, attentive, and personalized hospitality to members and guests. This role prepares and serves cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages with precision and consistency while maintaining the highest standards of quality, presentation, and service.

The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality and beverage culture, possesses excellent technical bartending skills, and thrives in a luxury, member-focused environment where relationship building is as important as cocktail craftsmanship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Member & Guest Experience

Deliver gracious, personalized service while building lasting relationships with members and guests.

Anticipate guest preferences and provide thoughtful beverage recommendations based on individual tastes and dining occasions.

Create memorable bar experiences through engaging conversation, product knowledge, and exceptional hospitality.

Ensure bar guests and service guests receive timely, attentive, and polished service.

Address member feedback and special requests with professionalism and care.

Beverage Preparation & Service

Prepare and serve cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages according to established recipes and service standards.

Maintain consistency, accuracy, and presentation across all beverage offerings.

Demonstrate expert knowledge of spirits, wine, beer, classic cocktails, seasonal menus, and specialty beverages.

Ensure responsible alcohol service in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

Support restaurant service by preparing beverages for dining room guests in a timely manner.

Service Standards & Execution

Execute all bar service standards and sequence of service consistent with The Lake's hospitality philosophy.

Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked bar throughout each shift.

Accurately enter orders into the POS system and process member transactions as required.

Participate in menu tastings, beverage education, and ongoing product training.

Teamwork & Collaboration

Work collaboratively with servers, server assistants, culinary teams, hosts, and managers to deliver seamless member experiences.

Support fellow bartenders and service team members during high-volume periods.

Participate in daily pre-shift meetings and contribute to a positive, collaborative culture.

Mentor and assist newer team members when appropriate.

Operational Excellence

Maintain bar inventory, including spirits, wine, beer, mixers, garnishes, and supplies.

Assist with inventory counts, receiving deliveries, and proper product storage.

Follow all food safety, sanitation, responsible alcohol service, and workplace safety standards.

Complete opening, side work, and closing duties according to established procedures.

Ensure bar equipment is properly maintained and report maintenance needs promptly.

Sales & Member Engagement

Confidently recommend premium spirits, wine selections, cocktails, and beverage pairings to enhance the member experience.

Promote seasonal cocktails, featured wines, club events, and specialty beverage programming.

Support beverage sales goals while always prioritizing exceptional hospitality and member satisfaction.

Pre-Opening & Continuous Improvement

Participate in pre-opening training, beverage tastings, menu development support, and operational setup.

Learn and execute The Lake's beverage standards and service philosophy.

Contribute ideas to improve beverage offerings, operational efficiency, and member experiences.

Embrace ongoing education to continually develop technical skills and product knowledge.

REPORTS TO:

Restaurant Manager

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

The Lake is seeking candidates who combine exceptional hospitality with a passion for craft beverages and luxury service.

Professional Experience:

2+ years of bartending experience in upscale restaurants, luxury hotels, cocktail bars, or private clubs preferred.

Strong knowledge of spirits, classic and contemporary cocktails, wine, beer, coffee, and beverage pairings.

Experience working in high-volume, service-focused environments while maintaining exceptional quality.

Excellent communication, organization, and multitasking skills.

Experience with POS systems and luxury hospitality standards preferred.

Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Previous private club or Michelin-level restaurant experience is a plus.

Core Values Alignment:

Candidates should demonstrate alignment with Topography's core values:

• Drive
• Empathy
• Excellence
• Integrity
• Positive Attitude

COMPENSATION:

The Lake offers a competitive compensation package that includes competitive hourly wages, gratuities where applicable, and a 401(k) plan. Additionally, The Lake provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, and paid vacation. Topography Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer.

START DATE:

Fall 2026

LOCATION :

Chicago, IL