Lead Bartender

Chetola Resort • Blowing Rock, NC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

ABOUT CHETOLA RESORT For over 175 years, Chetola Resort has welcomed guests to a timeless mountain escape in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Serving as the gateway to beautiful Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Chetola is a luxury haven where adventure meets tranquility. The resort blends refined hospitality with immersive outdoor experiences—from Orvis®-endorsed fly fishing to award-winning dining, spa indulgence, and family-friendly recreation. Under new ownership, we are entering an exciting chapter of thoughtful renewal, authentic elegance, and elevated guest service. Blowing Rock is home to some of the most luxurious residences in the Carolinas, and our year-round destination serves a discerning, affluent clientele. THE ROLE Chetola Resort is seeking a polished, experienced, and service-driven Lead Bartender (full-time) to elevate the bar experience at Timberlake’s Restaurant and support beverage service across the resort’s event venues. The ideal candidate is a hospitality leader with exceptional bar knowledge, a passion for mixology, and a natural ability to connect with guests. This role is both hands-on and supervisory—leading bar standards, crafting outstanding seasonal beverages, driving the development of our cocktail menu and beverage program, mentoring a growing team, and ensuring smooth, consistent operations each day. It is an ideal position for a mixologist at heart: someone who loves cocktail design, flavor balance, and telling a story through every drink. As both a service professional and a key architect of our evolving bar identity, the Lead Bartender will play a vital role in shaping the next chapter of Chetola’s Food & Beverage program, which is entering an exciting new era of creativity and craft.

Requirements

• Previous bartending experience in a high-quality restaurant, resort, or craft cocktail bar required.
• Mixology, beverage program, or bar leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Must meet ABC requirements and be at least 21 years of age.
• Strong knowledge of spirits, classic cocktails, wine, beer, and bar equipment.
• Ability to stand for long periods, work nights/weekends/holidays, and lift up to 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• A skilled mixologist who is passionate about beverage craft, flavor design, and guest experience.
• A charismatic hospitality professional who thrives in guest-facing environments.
• Experienced, confident, and able to lead by example behind the bar.
• Calm under pressure with excellent multitasking and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to consistency, cleanliness, and quality.
• A natural mentor who enjoys helping teammates grow and improve.
• A positive, collaborative team player who contributes to a fun, professional, and high-performing atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests with warmth, personality, and genuine connection.
• Prepare and present cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer with artistry and consistency.
• Execute house recipes with precision while contributing ideas for seasonal cocktails, signature drinks, and beverage enhancements.
• Create memorable experiences by educating guests on spirits, ingredients, and the story behind our offerings.
• Maintain a clean, polished, organized bar environment that reflects the elevated standard of a luxury resort.
• Support the development and refinement of cocktail menus, seasonal features, mocktail offerings, and bar enhancements.
• Maintain recipe documentation, prep standards, batching guides, and ingredient specifications.
• Oversee mise en place, bar prep, and ingredient quality—including syrups, infusions, garnishes, and juices.
• Monitor inventory levels, rotate stock, and identify opportunities for new products or improved bar efficiency.
• Uphold consistency throughout the beverage program by coaching the team on technique, flavor balance, and presentation.
• Train bartenders on recipes, tools, pouring accuracy, guest engagement, and speed of service.
• Lead by example, modeling elevated hospitality and mixology standards.
• Provide real-time coaching and thoughtful feedback to develop a cohesive and high-performing bar team.
• Assist with scheduling support, workflow improvements, and maintaining smooth bar operations.
• Operate the POS system accurately and efficiently, ensuring proper cash handling and check management.
• Verify identification and uphold responsible alcohol service in accordance with ABC regulations.
• Follow strict sanitation, hygiene, and equipment safety practices.
• Report issues, guest concerns, or equipment needs promptly to management.
• Partner with the Front of House, Culinary, and Events teams to ensure smooth coordination and exceptional service.

Benefits

• Join one of the area’s largest private employers with ongoing opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Help shape the next era of a beloved mountain resort through exceptional service and guest experiences.
• Be part of a culture rooted in connection, craftsmanship, and care.
• Competitive hourly wage plus tips.
• Comprehensive benefits for eligible full-time employees, including health, dental, vision, supplemental coverage, PTO, and on-property perks.
• Chetola Resort is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees