Lead Bartender

The Hotel at Avalon; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary meal per shift

Free parking

Career development opportunities

Job summary

The Houston Grand Hotel - River Oaks is seeking a Lead Bartender to elevate our beverage program, lead a skilled bar team, and deliver exceptional guest experiences in a fast-paced, high-volume setting. You will train staff on new cocktails, manage inventory and costs, and collaborate with the HEI Corporate F&B team to maintain brand standards while driving beverage sales.

A minimum of 3 years in craft bars is required; evenings, weekends and holidays are part of the schedule.

Qualifications

• Three years in high-volume craft bars/restaurants.
• Strong knowledge of craft cocktails and spirits.
• Willing to work varied schedule including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead the bar team and develop, refine, and grow the beverage program (cocktails, beer, wine).
• Implement bar training for new menu rollouts and staff hires.
• Manage inventory and cost controls to support COGS & labor goals.
• Cost out beer, spirits, and cocktails; create prep schedules and batching strategies.
• Enter orders into POS and ensure accurate cash handling and reporting.

Skills

Beverage leadership

Staff training

Inventory management

COGS optimization

Craft cocktails

Wine & beer knowledge

Cash handling

Guest relations

POS operation

Education

Cicerone Beer Server

WSET 1 Certification

Sommelier certification

Tools

POS system

Job description

## Lead BartenderApply: On-Site: Houston Grand Hotel - River Oaks - Houston, TX: Full time: Posted Today: JR119398**About Us**For more than 40 years, our hotel has been a landmark in the Houston hospitality scene. Today, The Houston Grand – River Oaks is entering an exciting new chapter. Under the vision of new local ownership with deep Houston roots, the property is preparing for a full renovation, and a complete luxury rebrand that will restore the hotel as one of the premier destinations in the city. We are committed to elevating every aspect of the guest and associate experience. Our team is a tight knit, family like community with many long tenured associates who take pride in their craft and the exceptional service they deliver. We value passion, professionalism, and the desire to grow—because when our associates and their families thrive, our hotel thrives. Associates enjoy a complimentary meal each shift, free parking, and meaningful opportunities for career development within both the hotel and the broader HEI portfolio. Join us as we write the next chapter of a Houston legacy—your future could be part of something extraordinary.Don't meet every single requirement of this job? At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization! We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.**Compensation**### Tipped/Service Charge Eligible? No### Discretionary Performance Bonus Eligible? No**Overview**Serve guests in hospitable manner to ensure positive guest experience.### **Overview** Develop and implement a unique, creative beverage program while planning and promoting the outlets at The Houston Grand Hotel-River Oaks as appropriate in order to achieve customer satisfaction, quality of service and increase beverage sales. Serve guests in hospitable manner to ensure positive guest experience.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**• Lead the bar team and develop, refine, and grow the beverage program• Implement the bar training program for new menu rollouts and new staff hires• Maintain integrity of beverage menu through constant quality control• Stay active and knowledgeable about industry/beverage trends and seasonal ingredients• Support and motivate the bar team to learn more and refine skills• Support leadership with inventory management of liquor, beer, wine, produce and bar grocery• Create and maintain PARS for beer, liquor and wine while remaining under budget• Create and execute prep schedules for syrups and juices• Support management in achieving COGS & Labor goals by waste mitigation and creating efficiency (e.g. batching cocktails)• Properly cost out beer, spirits, and cocktails• Perform all responsibilities while working in conjunction with the HEI Corporate F&B team• Kindly greeting guests in a friendly and courteous manner and explaining all food & beverage items on the menu• Preparing drinks to precise craft bartending and brand standards• Having a thorough understanding of service and timing standards and serve guests accordingly• Building relationships with guests to develop regular clientele• Maintaining a knowledge of food pairings and recommended wines or beverages to pair with appetizers, entrees and desserts• Maintaining a knowledge of food and drink menu items, promotions, ingredients and prep time• Perform responsible alcohol service• Working in a team environment, including assisting Team Members as needed• Entering all orders into the POS• Washing and sterilizing glassware• Preparing garnishes for drinks* undefined* undefined• Ensuring guest needs are met during a full-service dining experience, including providing additional condiments, utensils and/or food items, and checking back with guests during their meal• Presenting accurate check in a timely manner• Collecting payment and providing change in a timely manner• Balancing end-of-day paperwork, including cash, credit card and money owed with minimal errors, overages, or shortages• Completing opening and closing side work• Adhering to sanitation and safety standards• Supporting other areas of the restaurant as necessary• Assisting as needed with training of new employees• Continuously participating in all training and/or activities to further knowledge, understanding and mastery of products and services• Maintaining knowledge and awareness of neighboring businesses and events• Reporting incidents of any nature to management (safety & security hazards, accidents, operational inconsistencies, etc.)• Understanding and adhering to company policy with regards to brand standards as well as Federal, State & Local laws• Flexible schedule. Mornings, nights, weekends and holidays all required• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned.* undefinedThe ideal Lead Bartender candidate will have at least three (3) years of bartending experience in a similar venue, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for creating memorable hospitality experiences. The minimum qualifications for this position are:* Minimum of 21 years of age to serve alcoholic beverages* (3) years of experience in high volume craft bars/restaurants strongly preferred* Keen understanding and passion for craft cocktails & spirits* Knowledge and passion for wine & beer* Cicerone Beer Server, WSET 1 and/or Sommelier certification preferred* Ability to perform job functions with attention to detail, speed and accuracy* Possess knowledge of food preparation techniques, service standards, guest relations and etiquette* Basic mathematical skills necessary to operate a cash register, make change, total guest checks, count total bank, prepare cash drops, total all other charges, and understand portion sizes.* Ability to remember, recite and promote the variety of menu items with or without reasonable accommodation.* Must be willing and able to work a varied schedule including evenings, nights, and weekends and holidays.* Ability to lift up to 30 pounds* Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences, such as effectively communicating with supervisors, coworkers, public etc.* Must have a valid alcohol awareness certification or be capable of obtaining certification* Must have a valid Certified Food Handlers Card or be capable of obtaining one* Sufficient manual dexterity in hands in order to use a knife to make garnish, pick up glassware and bottles, scoop ice, mix drinks, and reach overhead to retrieve stock with or without reasonable accommodation.* Ability to operate a keyboard and point of sale procedures to pre-check an order and close out a check with or without reasonable accommodation.* Ability to stand and work in confined spaces for long periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation.* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, customers, and patrons.