Lead Bartender

The Grace; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Grace in Washington, DC seeks a Lead Bartender to anchor nightly service, drive hospitality, and guide the cocktail program. You will manage bar flow, train staff, and maintain standards for speed and quality while engaging guests with a playful, flavorful approach.

The role emphasizes leadership, deep product knowledge, and collaboration with FOH leadership to optimize service and guest experience at the bar.

Qualifications

• Bartending experience in a high-volume, cocktail-focused environment.
• Proven leadership experience in lead bartender or similar roles.
• Solid knowledge of classic cocktails and craft builds.
• Strong guest communication and hospitality skills.
• Ability to coach peers and foster a team-first culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example behind the bar with a strong presence during service
• Prepare classic and house cocktails with consistency, speed, and accuracy
• Maintain deep knowledge of our cocktail menu, spirits, wine, and beer and share that knowledge with the team
• Train, mentor, and support bartenders and barbacks
• Oversee daily bar setup and breakdown and ensure the bar is always guest ready
• Execute the established cocktail program while offering creative input for specials and seasonal updates
• Maintain par levels and support inventory, ordering, and product rotation
• Uphold cleanliness and organization standards for the bar, back bar, and storage areas
• Monitor guest experience at the bar and assist with guest recovery when needed
• Collaborate with FOH leadership to strengthen systems, service standards, and workflow
• Ensure all alcohol service complies with company policies and local regulations

Skills

Bartending experience

Leadership

Cocktail knowledge

Customer service

Team coaching

Tools

POS system

Job description

The Lead Bartender is the primary leader behind the bar, setting the tone for execution, hospitality, and teamwork. You are the anchor of the bar each night, keeping the pace quick, the vibes fun, and the drinks dialed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by example behind the bar with a strong presence during service
• Prepare classic and house cocktails with consistency, speed, and accuracy
• Maintain deep knowledge of our cocktail menu, spirits, wine, and beer and share that knowledge with the team
• Train, mentor, and support bartenders and barbacks
• Oversee daily bar setup and breakdown and ensure the bar is always guest ready
• Execute the established cocktail program while offering creative input for specials and seasonal updates
• Maintain par levels and support inventory, ordering, and product rotation
• Uphold cleanliness and organization standards for the bar, back bar, and storage areas
• Monitor guest experience at the bar and assist with guest recovery when needed
• Collaborate with FOH leadership to strengthen systems, service standards, and workflow
• Ensure all alcohol service complies with company policies and local regulations

Qualifications

• Two or more years of bartending experience in a high-volume, cocktail-focused environment
• Previous leadership experience as a lead bartender, bar captain, bar manager, or similar
• Strong classic cocktail knowledge, plus an enthusiasm for big flavors, and playful builds
• Confident, calm presence during busy service with the ability to prioritize under pressure
• Natural host with excellent guest communication and hospitality skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, and consistent in follow-through
• Comfortable coaching peers and contributing to a team-first culture

Schedule and Compensation

• Full-time position with evening and weekend availability required
• Competitive pay based on experience, plus tips
• Eligibility for staff meals and other company benefits as offered