Lead Bartender

Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is seeking a part-time Lead Bartender for Front Bar, the cafe and bar connected to the main theater at 1700 N Halsted. The role supports evening and weekend performances and reports to the Food and Beverage Director.

You will prepare and serve beverages, manage cash, educate guests about offerings, and help maintain a clean, welcoming bar environment while delivering attentive customer service.

Qualifications

• Experience as a bartender and/or server in a high-volume bar or restaurant.
• Commitment to equitable and inclusive service language and accessibility.
• Able to work 28 hours a week with evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve quality beverages in a friendly and efficient manner
• Provide adaptive service cognizant of theater operations
• Maintain station cleanliness and ensure beverage quality
• Educate guests about beverage and food options
• Engage patrons as courteous, professional representatives
• Assist patrons with disabilities and coordinate with other departments to streamline service
• Monitor public spaces for safety, cleanliness and presentation
• Handle nightly paperwork and cash deposits
• Serve as a source of information about the theatre and city
• Split cash tips

Skills

Bartender experience

Customer service

Cash handling

Spirit knowledge

Evening/weekend availability

Job description

STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY

Lead Bartender

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is seeking candidates for the part time position of Lead Bartender at Front Bar, Steppenwolf’s cafe and bar connected to the main theater at 1700 N Halsted. Open to the general public and theater-goers alike, Front Bar features a full bar program highlighted by craft and local products, and a comfortable, modern-rustic atmosphere. Through a relaxed, attentive, and sincere level of customer service, members of the Front Bar team are committed to cultivating a comfortable and inviting experience for our audience and guests

This position reports to the Food and Beverage Director.

Hours of employment range from noon to 2AM daily, with peak times in support of evening and weekend performances.

Areas of Responsibility

• Prepare and serve quality beverages in a friendly and efficient manner
• Provide adaptive service that is cognizant of theater operations
• Maintain their station for cleanliness and sanitation and ensure the quality of all beverages.
• Educate themselves and guests about our beverage and food options
• Engage our patrons as courteous, professional representatives of our company
• Assist patrons with disabilities (which includes developing a proficiency in accessibility etiquette);
• Coordinate with the box office and other departments to streamline service
• Monitor and maintain public spaces for safety, cleanliness and presentation
• Responsible for the nightly paperwork and checking out fellow employees
• Serve as knowledgeable sources of information about the theatre and city
• Count the cash drawers and gather the nightly cash deposit
• Split cash tips

Successful candidates will have:

• Commit to an equitable work environment, including but not limited to use of gender inclusive language and support for individual gender expression, cultural sensitivity, racial equity and inter-generational collaboration and accessibility for audience members with disabilities
• Have experience as a bartender and/or server in a high volume bar or restaurant
• Be knowledgeable and interested in spirits, craft beer and wine
• Enjoy proactively and positively interacting with a variety of personalities in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Commit to presenting a relaxed appearance and tone when interacting with guests and colleagues, which includes maintaining an unhurried pace and level modulation of voice and volume
• Demonstrate the consistent ability to effectively problem-solve in improvised situations

Desired Qualifications

• Be Responsible for checking out closing duties for fellow employees
• Experience with counting cash drawers and nightly deposit
• Be able to consistently work 28 hours a week, with availability on evenings and weekends
• Possess excellent time-management skills

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• Continuous standing during preparation
• Continuous repetitive motion
• Walking, bending, stooping and kneeling
• Reaching overhead
• Ability to pull, push and lift up to 50 pounds

Compensation

• Hourly rate is $19.63 per hour, plus tips. The Steppenwolf Theatre Food & Beverage is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with the IATSE Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Union Local 750.

About Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 14 Tony Awards, two Pulitzer Prize‑winning commissions and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown — Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf Mission

Steppenwolf Theatre Company strives to create thrilling, courageous, and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world.

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Steppenwolf Core Values

• Ensemble
• Innovation
• Cultural Citizenship

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

In addition to federal law requirements, Steppenwolf complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.