Manager Bar Operations & Cocktail Innovation

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Castle & Key in Frankfort, KY seeks a Manager Bar Operations & Cocktail Innovation to lead the day-to-day cocktail program and drive growth from Taylorton Station to a future flagship bar.

The ideal candidate blends bartending expertise with education, operations, and creative direction, bringing curiosity to continually improve drinks, trainings, and guest experience. This role requires evenings, weekends, holidays, and some travel.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive cocktail, bar, or hospitality experience.
• Deep knowledge of classic cocktails and modern beverage technique.
• Proven ability to train and develop a team.
• Experience with inventory, costing, and menu development.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cocktail program across Castle & Key bars and experiences.
• Run an R&D process to taste, test, and document new cocktails.
• Partner with distillery team to align cocktails with spirits.
• Recruit, train, and lead a beverage team.
• Develop bartender training programs and career paths.
• Oversee inventory, costing, pricing, recipes, and standards.
• Ensure hospitality and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Create seasonal pop-ups, events, and industry programs.
• Plan for a future flagship bar and other spaces.

Skills

Cocktail program leadership

Team leadership

Inventory & cost control

Menu development

Evening & event work

Job description

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Manager Bar Operations & Cocktail Innovation

Full Time Frankfort, KY, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1041

Position Summary

Castle & Key is building one of the great cocktail destinations in America, grounded in a simple philosophy: classic foundations, Kentucky ingredients, modern technique, and relentless hospitality.

The Manager Bar Ops & Cocktail Innovationwill lead the day-to-day operation and long-term growth of our cocktail program, from Taylorton Station to a future flagship bar, pop-ups, events, and bartender education. The ideal candidate is part bartender, part educator, part operator, and part creative director, and brings the curiosity to keep asking, “Can we make it better?”

Key Responsibilities

Lead the cocktail program across all Castle & Key bars and experiences, with menus that balance exceptional classics, seasonal signatures, and experimental drinks.

Run a regular R&D process where the team tastes, tests, and develops new cocktails, and document the work in a lasting cocktail archive.

Partner closely with the distillery team so bartenders understand our spirits and distillers see how they perform in cocktails.

Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing beverage team, including scheduling, performance, and day-to-day management.

Build clear career paths for bartenders, including tracks for those who want to lead, create, or teach.

Develop a bartender training program that starts with our own team and grows over time to serve the wider industry.

Operations & Guest Experience

Oversee beverage inventory, costing, pricing, recipes, and operating standards to run a consistent and profitable program.

Lead by example behind the bar and ensure every drink and interaction reflects Castle & Key’s hospitality standards.

Ensure compliance with company policies, responsible alcohol service, and health and safety standards.

Experiences, Events & Industry Engagement

Create seasonal pop-ups, mobile bar activations, and cocktail events that give guests new reasons to visit and return.

Help build industry programs such as guest bartender residencies, national cocktail competitions, and an annual cocktail festival.

Build relationships across the cocktail and spirits community and partner with Marketing and Events to grow the program’s visibility.

Program Growth

Serve as the beverage and operations lead in planning a future flagship cocktail bar and other new spaces on the property.

Qualifications

5+ years of progressive cocktail, bar, or hospitality experience, including leading a high-quality cocktail program and team.

Deep knowledge of classic cocktails, spirits, modern technique, and beverage service.

Proven ability to manage, train, and develop a team.

Experience with inventory, costing, and menu development, including high-volume or draft cocktail service.

Creative, curious, organized, and able to lead several initiatives at once.

Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events, with occasional travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a craft cocktail bar, distillery, or destination hospitality environment.

Background in bartender education, competitions, guest bartender programs, or industry events.