Bartender - La Piscina

Proper Hospitality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is seeking a dedicated Bartender to join its La Piscina bar team. You will prepare a variety of cocktails and beverages, greet guests, and provide recommendations in a high-end setting on-site at the hotel’s pool deck. Maintain bar cleanliness and assist with inventory while delivering exceptional service.

Candidates should have prior bartending experience, a solid knowledge of drinks, and strong multitasking skills to thrive in a fast-paced, luxury environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of drink recipes, cocktail techniques, and spirits.
• Certification in responsible alcohol service preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve cocktails, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages to guests according to recipes.
• Greet guests, take orders, and provide recommendations.
• Maintain bar cleanliness, organization, and stock; manage bar inventory.
• Process payments and ensure accurate billing; upsell drinks and food items.

Skills

Cocktail knowledge

Multitasking

Team leadership

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Bar tools

Glassware handling

Inventory control

Job description

Situated in Downtown’s Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is an iconic luxury destination just steps from Lady Bird Lake, ACL Live, and the city’s best shopping. With expressive interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary concepts by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the hotel offers 238 design-forward rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, immersive wellness experiences, and menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Wellness, design, and culture, seamlessly woven into every stay.

Located on the 5th-floor pool deck of Austin Proper Hotel, La Piscina is a lively indoor–outdoor restaurant and bar offering Texas-inspired Mexican cuisine with a fresh, healthful approach. The menu centers on family-style platters, bright ceviches, and sizzling fajitas, all prepared without seed oils and featuring fresh seafood grilled over a wood fire and house-made tortillas from an open comal. Overlooking downtown Austin, the space invites you to enjoy frozen margaritas, small-batch tequilas and mezcals, and a curated selection of pool-friendly bites.

Job Summary:

The Bartender is responsible for preparing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to guests in a timely, professional, and friendly manner. You will ensure that all drinks are made to specification, provide excellent customer service, and create an enjoyable experience for all patrons. The Bartender will also maintain cleanliness and organization of the bar area, manage bar inventory, and work closely with other staff members to ensure efficient service and a positive guest experience.

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, while maintaining high standards of 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 questions regarding drinks, menu items, and the overall bar experience.
• Upsell additional drinks or food items and promote featured cocktails, drink specials, or happy hour offerings to increase sales.
• Monitor guests' alcohol consumption, ensuring responsible service of alcohol and maintaining a 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, maintaining hygiene and safety standards.
  • Replenish bar stock, including liquor, garnishes, napkins, straws, and glassware, and assist with inventory management.
  • Maintain sanitation standards for all bar equipment, including blenders, shakers, coolers, and bar sinks, in accordance with health and safety regulations.
• Inventory Control:
  • Assist in tracking bar inventory, including ordering and restocking liquor, mixers, and bar supplies as needed.
  • Monitor and report low stock levels and assist in the management of bar inventory to prevent shortages and overstocking.
  • Ensure all alcohol is properly stored and secure, following company policies and safety guidelines.
• Work with other bartenders, servers, and kitchen staff to ensure smooth and efficient service throughout the shift.
• Assist in setting up the bar before opening and closing the bar at the end of the shift, ensuring that all equipment is properly stored and 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 are accurate and handled in a timely manner.
  • Handle cash, credit card payments, and tips, and maintain proper cash drawer and till procedures.
  • Provide guests with accurate bills and ensure the proper closing of tabs.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience as a bartender or in a similar role within the hospitality or service industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of drink recipes, cocktail techniques, and various types of spirits and beverages.
• Certification in responsible alcohol service or bartending (e.g., TIPS, Responsible Beverage Service) is preferred but not required.

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’re committed 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’s an 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 a life, 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 an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment 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 histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.

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.