Bartender

Proper Hospitality; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Proper Hospitality in Culver City, CA is seeking an experienced bartender to deliver high‑quality cocktails and service in a fast‑paced bar. You will greet guests, take orders, craft drinks to spec, upsell specials, and maintain a clean, organized station.

The role requires knowledge of recipes and spirits, strong multitasking, leadership, and teamwork. A high school diploma and prior bartending experience are preferred; TIPS or similar certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cocktail recipes and beverage preparation.
• Strong customer service and guest-relations abilities.
• Ability to upsell menu items and promotions while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve a variety of cocktails, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages to guests according to recipes and quality standards.
• Greet guests, take drink orders, make recommendations, and ensure timely service during high-volume periods.
• Maintain a clean, organized bar area, stocked with glassware, garnishes, and ingredients.
• Monitor guest consumption and ensure responsible service of alcohol.
• Collaborate with servers and kitchen staff to ensure smooth service across shifts.

Skills

Leadership

Cocktail knowledge

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Guest service

Memory for orders

Education

High school diploma

Prior bartending experience

Job description

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Drink Preparation & Service:
• Prepare and serve a variety of cocktails, mixed drinks, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages to guests according to established recipes and quality standards.
• Greet guests in a friendly and professional manner, taking drink orders, and providing recommendations as needed.
• Ensure all beverages are made and served quickly and accurately, whilemaintaininghigh standardsof quality, presentation, and taste.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and stocked bar area, including glassware, garnishes, and drink ingredients.
• Engage with guests at the bar to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere, ensuring their needs are met promptly and courteously.
• Handle guest requests and questionsregardingdrinks, menu items, and the overall bar experience.
• Upselladditionaldrinks or food items and promote featured cocktails, drink specials, or happy hour offerings to increase sales.
• Monitor guests' alcohol consumption, ensuring responsible service ofalcoholandmaintaininga safe and responsible environment.
• Address any guest complaints or concerns quickly and professionally, escalating to management if necessary.
• Bar Maintenance & Cleanliness:
• Ensure that the bar area, including countertops, floors, and bar tools, is kept clean and organized at all times.
• Regularly clean glassware, utensils, and bar equipment,maintaininghygiene and safety standards.
• Replenish bar stock, including liquor, garnishes, napkins, straws, and glassware, andassistwith inventory management.
• Maintain sanitation standards for all bar equipment, including blenders, shakers, coolers, and bar sinks,in accordance withhealth and safety regulations.
• Inventory Control:
• Assistin tracking bar inventory, including ordering and restocking liquor, mixers, and bar supplies as needed.
• Monitor and report low stock levels andassistin the management of bar inventory to prevent shortages and overstocking.
• Ensureall alcohol isproperly storedand secure, following company policies and safety guidelines.
• Work with other bartenders, servers, and kitchen staff to ensure smooth and efficient service throughout the shift.
• Assistin setting up the bar before opening and closing the bar at the end of the shift, ensuring that all equipment isproperly storedand cleaned.
• Help train new bartenders and barbacks by sharing knowledge of drink recipes, service techniques, and bar procedures.
• Cash Handling & Transactions:
• Process payments for drinks and food items, ensuring that all transactions areaccurateand handledin a timely manner.
• Handle cash, credit cardpayments, andtips, andmaintainproper cash drawerand tillprocedures.
• Provide guests withaccuratebills and ensure the proper closing of tabs.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previousexperience as a bartender or in a similar role within the hospitality or service industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of drink recipes, cocktail techniques, andvarious typesof spirits and beverages.
• Certification in responsible alcohol service or bartending (e.g., TIPS, Responsible Beverage Service) is preferred but notrequired.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff.
• In-depth knowledge of cocktail recipes, bartending tools, and techniques.
• Strong multitasking abilities and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when it comes to cleanliness and inventory management.
• Ability to remember drink orders, guest preferences, and keep track of tabs in a high-volume environment.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move around the bar for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy items, such as bottles, kegs, and glassware (up to 25 pounds).
• Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, particularly during peak service hours.
• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and stoop to access storage areas or restock supplies.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer,we’recommitted to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession -it’san opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper , we show up with warmth and authenticity ( Care Proper ), strive for excellence in everything we do ( Achieve Proper ), think creatively and resourcefully ( Imagine Proper ), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are ( Present Proper ).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and alife,that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together , for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is anequal-opportunityemployer. Weprovideemployment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal historiesin accordance withlocal Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.

Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.