Head Bartender

The President Hotel; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The President Hotel is seeking an experienced Head Bartender to lead our bar team in a high-volume luxury setting. You will craft premium cocktails, manage stock and costs, and mentor the bar staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

We look for strong leadership, mixology expertise, and a passion for premium beverages, wines and service excellence. This is a hands-on role requiring availability for evenings, weekends and holidays in Cape Town.

Qualifications

• Matric Certificate (Grade 12)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as Head Bartender, Senior Bartender or Bar Supervisor in a 4/5-star hotel, luxury restaurant or high-volume environment
• Excellent knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, premium spirits, wines, beers and trends
• Strong mixology skills with passion for quality, consistency and presentation
• Experience using Micros Simphony or 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 rotation
• Knowledge of responsible alcohol service, HACCP, hygiene and food safety standards
• Ability to manage stock levels, minimise wastage and maintain beverage controls
• Ability to remain calm 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

Responsibilities

• Leading the daily operation of the hotel bar and ensuring consistently exceptional guest experiences
• Leading by example during service with a 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 follow beverage recipes, presentation standards and service procedures
• Creating memorable guest interactions through product knowledge and personalised service
• Recommending wines, spirits, cocktails based on guest preferences
• Maintaining bar presentation, cleanliness and service standards throughout shifts
• Assisting with beverage menu development, cocktail innovation and seasonal promotions
• Managing stock levels, ordering, counts, rotation and beverage controls
• Monitoring portion control and minimising wastage and losses
• Supporting accurate beverage costing and operational controls
• Driving beverage sales through product knowledge and upselling
• Handling guest requests, concerns and service recovery professionally
• Ensuring compliance with responsible service, HACCP, health and safety standards
• Collaborating with Restaurant Managers, F&B leadership, Kitchen and other departments for seamless service
• Monitoring bar operations and identifying opportunities to improve service and guest experience
• Supporting The President Hotel’s journey toward luxury through exceptional beverage service

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Guest engagement

Upselling ability

Stock control

Beverage cost management

Education

Matric Certificate

Hospitality/F&B qualification advantageous

Tools

Micros Simphony

Job description

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