Part-Time Cafe Associate

BRIC Arts Media; New York (NY); On-site; USD 523,000 - 1,047,000; Part time

Job summary

BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn seeks a Part-time Cafe Associate to support public and private events, managing bar and café operations with high-quality beverage service. The role requires strong customer service, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced event setting.

Responsibilities include bar setup and teardown, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, POS transactions, inventory, and cash handling, while maintaining a welcoming guest experience.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in bar, cafe or event-based service.
• TIPS Certification required (BRIC will support training).
• Familiarity with Square POS or similar systems.
• Knowledge of alcohol service best practices and ID verification.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and stay calm during high-volume service.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift light loads.
• Evening and weekend availability.

Responsibilities

• Manage the bar area during events and ensure smooth service.
• Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Sell event-related merchandise and handle inventory & cash with accuracy.
• Provide menu guidance and beverage recommendations to guests.
• Assist with bar setup before doors and closing per BRIC standards.

Skills

Bar/Café service

Customer service

POS systems

Alcohol service

Multitasking

Stand for long periods

Evening/weekend availability

Tools

Square POS

Job description

About BRIC:

BRIC is a leading arts and media institution anchored in Downtown Brooklyn whose work spans contemporary visual and performing arts, media, and civic action. For nearly 50 years, BRIC has shaped Brooklyn’s cultural and media landscape by presenting and incubating artists, creators, students, and media makers. BRIC serves as a creative catalyst and ignites learning in people of all ages and centralizes diverse voices that take risks and drive culture forward. BRIC builds Brooklyn’s creative future.

About the Part-Time Cafe Associate Role:

The Café Associate supports BRIC’s public and private events by managing bar and café operations, providing high-quality beverage service, and ensuring a welcoming and efficient guest experience. This role requires strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced event environment.

What You’ll Do in the Role:

Bar & Café Operations

• Manage the bar area during events, ensuring smooth service and positive guest interactions.
• Prepare and serve alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and poured cocktails, in accordance with house standards.
• Prepare and serve non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
• Utilize the Square POS system to process payments accurately and efficiently.

Sales, Inventory & Cash Handling

• Sell event-related merchandise and track inventory to ensure adequate stock levels.
• Monitor and manage inventory of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages before, during, and after events.
• Handle the cash drawer responsibly, maintaining accurate records, providing change, and reconciling sales as required.

Compliance & Customer Service

• Verify customer identification and ensure compliance with legal drinking age requirements.
• Maintain a friendly, professional, and welcoming demeanor at all times.
• Provide menu guidance and beverage recommendations to guests as needed.

Set-Up & Closing

• Assist with bar setup prior to doors, ensuring equipment, supplies, and service areas are ready for use.
• Complete closing procedures at the end of events, including cleaning surfaces, securing alcohol, and restoring the space according to BRIC standards.

Other Duties

• Support additional FOH or Operations needs as directed by the House Manager or Operations team.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Prior experience in bar, cafe, or event-based food and beverage service preferred.
• TIPS Certification Required - BRIC will support your training and completion of necessary TIPS Certification
• Familiarity with Square POS or similar point-of-sale systems.
• Knowledge of alcohol service best practices and ID verification.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and remain calm during high-volume service.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform light lifting during events.
• Availability to work evening hours and weekends.

You’ll Bring these Strengths to the Role:

• Mission & Values Alignment: A passion for BRIC’s support of the arts in Brooklyn and a deep commitment to building community, igniting learning and making change through the arts and creativity.

• Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: Desire to operationalize equity within the Operations function.
• Communication & Relationship Building: An emotionally intelligent, values- and results-driven team player. Skilled communicator and relationship builder.
• Organization & Time Management: Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks across competing deadlines, and be proactive.

Other Things to Know:

• Compensation: The rate for this position is $19/hour, plus pooled tips over a pay period.
• Status and location: This is a part-time, as needed role, 4-10 events a month or 5-10 hours per week all onsite at BRIC House in downtown Brooklyn.
• Mission & Values: BRIC is committed to building Brooklyn's creative future. We advance opportunities for visual artists, performers, and media makers. We present bold work that reflects diverse audiences and speaks to the world. We ignite learning in people of all ages. We unite Brooklyn through art and creativity to build community and make change.

BRIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other factor which cannot be used as a basis for an employment decision.