Lead Bartender (Full-Time) | Smith Tower

Columbia Hospitality; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K

HSA/FSA

Paid Time Off

Discounted lodging & dining

Referral bonus

Employee assistance program

Learning platform

Volunteer opportunities

Committee & task force

Job summary

Columbia Hospitality's Smith Tower is hiring a Lead Bartender to craft memorable experiences atop the observatory. You’ll design a cocktail menu, guide guests through selections and mentor a team while ensuring top-tier service in a unique ambiance.

You’ll leverage deep spirits knowledge, teach Cocktail Class, and manage beverage operations, all while upholding safety and standards in a dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume restaurant or hospitality preferred.
• Fluent reading/writing/speaking English required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for guest service.

Responsibilities

• Curate a cocktail menu that fits the speakeasy vibe at Smith Tower Observatory.
• Interact with guests to tailor recommendations based on preferences.
• Execute precise mixology with spirits, brands and barrel aging knowledge.
• Mentor bartenders to ensure seamless service and exceptional guest experiences.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization and inventory behind the bar and storage areas.
• Eligible to teach Smith Tower Cocktail Class.
• Manage monthly beverage program inventory.
• Work at private events and banquets ensuring setup, service and breakdown.
• Adhere to food safety and Washington liquor laws.
• Serve as hybrid bartender and server, accommodating special requests.

Skills

English fluency

Guest service

Communication skills

Tools

POS system

Job description

Lead Bartender | Smith Tower

Let’s start off with the most important part – what’s in it for you:

The Perks

*Eligibility of perks is dependent upon job status

• Hourly Pay Range: $21.50 to $23 DOE
• Get Paid Daily (Make any day payday)
• Paid Time off & Holiday Pay (Because Balance Matters)
• Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401K
• HSA/FSA Plans -with employer contribution
• Values Based Culture (#OMGLIFE)
• Culture Add (Creating Space for Fresh Perspectives)
• Referral Bonus (Get Paid to Recruit)
• Discounted Lodging, Dining, Spa, Golf, and Retail (Yes, Discounted Travel!)
• Employee Assistance Program
• “Columbia Cares” Volunteer Opportunities
• Committee Participation Opportunities (Fun, Philanthropic, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion)
• Task Force Work Opportunities (Grow your career in idyllic locations across the globe)
• Online Learning Platform to Help You Grow!
• Third Party Perks (Including discounts on Pet Insurance, Rental Cars, Movie and Concert Tickets, Theme Park and Attractions & so much more)
• Tip Pooling Eligible

Our Commitment to you:

“People never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou’s famous statement serves as a rallying cry throughout Columbia Hospitality and fuels our collective drive - and success.

Our people are our purpose, and our brand is our people. We seek extraordinary individuals who drive our brand promise of Creating Exceptional Experiences. We are a people-first organization, ignited from the inside to succeed on the outside. We are a tight-knit, inclusive, values-driven team and we trust one another to have each other’s backs. We show up every day with open hearts, an inclusive mindset, and a genuine respect for those around us. We have fun, grow together, and strive to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone we meet.

Lead Bartender

As the lead bartender at the renowned Smith Tower Observatory and Bar, you'll be crafting unforgettable experiences for guests seeking both stellar views and exquisite libations. Your role extends beyond simply mixing drinks; you'll curate a menu that reflects the speakeasy vibe, ensuring each cocktail tells a story of its own. Interacting with guests to understand their preferences and guide them through the selection process will be integral, fostering an atmosphere of personalized indulgence. Mastery of spirits, brands, and the art of barrel aging cocktails is essential, as you'll be orchestrating a symphony of flavors against the backdrop of celestial wonder. Plus, the opportunity to teach at our Cocktail Classes!

What’s you’ll do:

THE BRASS TACKS

• Curate an enticing cocktail menu that aligns with the speakeasy ambiance and reflects the observatory's unique charm.
• Interact with guests to discern their preferences and provide personalized recommendations tailored to their tastes and preferences.
• Execute precise mixology techniques to craft cocktails that showcase a deep understanding of spirits, brands, and the nuances of barrel aging.
• Mentor a team of bartenders, providing guidance and fostering a collaborative environment to ensure seamless service and exceptional guest experiences.
• Maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness, organization, and inventory management both behind the bar and in storage areas to uphold the reputation of the observatory's cocktail program.
• Eligible to be an engaging instructor for Smith Tower’s Cocktail Class.
• Responsible for all beverage program monthly inventory.
• Work as a banquet/catering bartender private events, promotional/consumer events, and meetings to ensure set-up, service, and breakdown tasks are being completed.
• Adherence to all food safety and health practices.
• Adherence to all Washington State Liquor Laws, including the practice of valid ID checks.
• Able to work as a hybrid bartender and server taking orders accurately and efficiently on the service floor, ensuring all special requests and dietary restrictions are accommodated with care.
• Proactively addressing any guest concerns or feedback, going above and beyond to exceed expectations and resolving issues swiftly.
• Other duties as assigned by management

THE NITTY GRITTY

• Previous experience in a high-volume restaurant or hospitality environment preferred.
• The ability to read, write and speak English fluently is required to read, analyze, and interpret regulations.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a genuine passion for hospitality, tourist attractions, and guest service excellence.
• Strong guest service skills with the ability to be solutions oriented
• The ability to perform essential functions and a computerized point of sale system
• Ability to stand up and down for more than three (3) hours at a time
• The ability to de-escalate, be organized, and handle busy operations
• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to lift (25+) Pounds
• Basic math skills required

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Columbia Hospitality we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic 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 apply anyway. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Fine Print

Columbia Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive environment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We strive for excellence in every position within the company and select the most qualified people who embrace our service philosophy and these values.

Accountability | Creativity | Enthusiasm | Honesty | Inclusion | Respect

Columbia Hospitality is a national management and consulting company with more than 25 years of experience in creating hospitality solutions and delivering exceptional experiences. Our portfolio includes award-winning hotels and resorts, premier residential communities, restaurants and bars, private and public golf clubs, conference centers, and distinctive venues. Columbia Hospitality has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Companies to Work for in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine and Puget Sound Business Journal for their commitment to creating a fun, dynamic and nurturing work environment for team members.