Head Bartender

The President Hotel; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid contributions

Provident fund

Staff meals on duty

Outstanding team culture

Job summary

The President Hotel in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Head Bartender to lead our hotel bar, drawing on a minimum of 3 years in senior bar roles within luxury environments.

You will mentor a passionate bar team, craft premium cocktails, and ensure top-tier service, presentation, and stock control while delivering guest-focused experiences.

Qualifications

• Matric certificate required; relevant hospitality background preferred.
• 3+ years in Head Bartender/Senior Bartender/Bar Supervisor role.
• Excellent knowledge of cocktails, premium spirits, wines and beer.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage stock, costing and wastage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of the hotel bar with exceptional guest experiences.
• Lead by example during service and maintain hands-on presence behind the bar.
• Prepare and serve premium cocktails, wines, spirits to high standards.
• Coach, motivate and develop the bar team.
• Ensure recipes, presentation standards and procedures are followed.
• Create memorable guest interactions through product knowledge.
• Recommend wines, spirits and cocktails based on guest preferences.
• Maintain bar presentation, cleanliness and service standards.
• Assist with beverage menu development and promotions.
• Manage stock levels, ordering, counts, rotation and beverage controls.
• Monitor portion control and minimize wastage.
• Drive beverage sales through knowledge and upselling.
• Handle guest requests and service recovery professionally.
• Ensure compliance with responsible service and HACCP standards.
• Collaborate with Restaurant and F&B leadership for seamless service.

Skills

Bar Leadership

Mixology

Guest Engagement

Upselling

Stock Control

Communication

Team Coaching

Beverage Knowledge

Education

Matric Certificate (Grade 12)

Hospitality or F&B qualification

Tools

Micros Simphony POS

Job description

The hotel bar is more than a place to enjoy a drink, it's where conversations begin, celebrations unfold and unforgettable moments are created.

At The President Hotel, every cocktail, perfectly poured glass of wine and genuine guest interaction contributes to an exceptional experience. Our bar team plays an important role in creating the warm, polished and memorable service our guests expect.

As we continue our journey toward luxury, we're looking for an experienced Head Bartender with a minimum of 3 years' experience as a Head Bartender, Senior Bartender or Bar Supervisor within a 4-star or 5-star hotel, luxury restaurant or high-volume hospitality environment to lead our bar team with confidence, creativity and a passion for service excellence.

If you thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment, enjoy leading by example, and have a passion for mixology, premium beverages and creating memorable guest experiences, this opportunity is for you.

Minimum Requirements

• Matric Certificate (Grade 12)
• Hospitality or Food & Beverage qualification advantageous
• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Head Bartender, Senior Bartender or Bar Supervisor within a 4-star or 5-star hotel, luxury restaurant or high-volume hospitality environment
• Excellent knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, premium spirits, wines, beers and current beverage trends
• Strong mixology skills with a passion for quality, consistency and presentation
• Experience using Micros Simphony or a similar POS system advantageous
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, coach and develop a bar team
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
• Excellent guest engagement, sales and upselling ability
• Sound understanding of stock control, beverage costing, ordering and stock rotation
• Ability to manage stock levels, minimise wastage and maintain effective beverage controls
• Knowledge of responsible alcohol service, HACCP, hygiene and food safety standards
• Ability to remain calm, organised and professional during high-volume service periods
• Ability to work shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• Professional grooming and presentation
• South African ID
• A fully updated CV with contactable reference details is essential

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the daily operation of the hotel bar while ensuring consistently exceptional guest experiences
• Leading by example during service and maintaining a visible, hands-on presence behind the bar
• Preparing and serving premium cocktails, wines, spirits and other beverages to the highest standards
• Leading, coaching, motivating and developing the bar team
• Ensuring bartenders consistently follow beverage recipes, presentation standards and service procedures
• Creating memorable guest interactions through exceptional product knowledge and personalised service
• Recommending wines, spirits, cocktails and premium beverages based on guest preferences
• Maintaining exceptional bar presentation, cleanliness and service standards throughout every shift
• Assisting with beverage menu development, cocktail innovation and seasonal promotions
• Managing stock levels, ordering, stock counts, stock rotation and beverage controls
• Monitoring portion control and minimising beverage wastage, breakages and unnecessary stock losses
• Supporting accurate beverage costing and maintaining appropriate operational controls
• Actively driving beverage sales through product knowledge, recommendations and effective upselling
• Handling guest requests, concerns and service recovery professionally and efficiently
• Ensuring compliance with responsible alcohol service, HACCP, health and safety and food safety standards
• Working closely with Restaurant Managers, Food & Beverage leadership, Kitchen and other hotel departments to ensure seamless service
• Monitoring bar operations and identifying opportunities to improve service, efficiency and the overall guest experience
• Supporting The President Hotel's journey toward luxury through exceptional beverage service and outstanding hospitality

Why Join The President Hotel

• Be part of Cape Town's Most Loved Hotel
• Work within a professional, high-volume hotel Food & Beverage environment
• Take ownership of bar operations while developing your leadership and beverage expertise
• Lead and develop a passionate bar team committed to exceptional guest experiences
• Engage with a diverse local and international guest base
• Play a key role in our exciting journey toward luxury
• Work alongside passionate hospitality and Food & Beverage professionals
• Enjoy a competitive salary, company contributions toward medical aid and provident, staff meals on duty and an outstanding team culture