Lead Bartender

Proper Hospitality Careers•Palm Springs, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Oversee the daily operations of the bar, ensuring efficient service and a positive guest experience. Manage the bar’s setup, stock levels, and cleanliness, ensuring all supplies are organized and readily available. Maintain the highest standards of drink quality and presentation, consistently ensuring that all drinks are prepared according to recipes and guest specifications. Monitor bar performance, including guest feedback, sales, and inventory, and adjust as needed to optimize bar operations. Coordinate with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth communication and fast, accurate drink service during peak times. Lead by example, providing guidance and support to junior bartenders and bar staff, maintaining a positive work environment. Train, mentor, and coach bartenders on cocktail preparation, service standards, bar etiquette, and company policies. Create staff schedules, ensuring the bar is adequately staffed for busy periods and special events. Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance evaluations, and offer feedback to team members to ensure continuous improvement. Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and accountability among the bar staff. Provide excellent customer service by engaging with guests, addressing their needs, and ensuring their experience exceeds expectations. Handle guest concerns and complaints promptly, professionally, and with a solution-oriented approach, ensuring the guest’s satisfaction. Anticipate guest preferences and offer personalized recommendations for cocktails, wines, and beverages, ensuring a tailored experience. Promote a welcoming and lively atmosphere at the bar, interacting with guests to enhance their experience while maintaining a professional demeanor. Oversee bar inventory, ensuring that liquor, mixers, garnishes, glassware, and other supplies are adequately stocked and stored according to safety regulations. Perform regular inventory checks and assist with ordering and replenishing stock as needed to avoid shortages or waste. Manage the proper storage and handling of alcoholic beverages, ensuring all items are properly labeled and stored. Monitor bar waste, over-pouring, and portion control, implementing measures to minimize costs and maximize profit margins. Ensure the cleanliness and organization of the bar area at all times, maintaining an efficient and safe work environment. Ensure compliance with health, safety, and alcohol service regulations, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation. Enforce company policies, including responsible alcohol service, cash handling, and customer interactions. Regularly inspect bar equipment (e.g., blenders, shakers, coolers) to ensure proper functioning, reporting any issues to management. Assist in the creation and promotion of drink specials, happy hour offerings, and seasonal cocktail menus to attract guests and boost sales. Lead or assist with the execution of special events, tastings, or promotions, ensuring smooth operations and a high level of guest satisfaction. Collaborate with management to develop and implement promotional activities or themed nights to increase bar traffic and revenue.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Minimum of 3–5 years of bartending experience in a high-volume or upscale environment
At least 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role
In-depth knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, beers, wines, and cocktail preparation
Experience in managing bar operations, inventory control, and staff supervision
Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff
Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to engage guests and provide an exceptional experience
In-depth knowledge of cocktail recipes, bartending techniques, and beverage trends
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks while maintaining focus on quality service
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively
Proficient in handling inventory, stock management, and cost-control measures
Ability to stand and move around the bar for extended periods
Ability to lift and carry heavy items, such as bottles, kegs, and glassware (up to 25 pounds)
Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, particularly during peak service hours
Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and stoop to access storage areas or restock supplies

Nice To Haves

Additional training in hospitality or bartending is a plus
Certification in alcohol safety or bartending (e.g., TIPS, Responsible Beverage Service) is preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee the daily operations of the bar, ensuring efficient service and a positive guest experience.
Manage the bar’s setup, stock levels, and cleanliness, ensuring all supplies are organized and readily available.
Maintain the highest standards of drink quality and presentation, consistently ensuring that all drinks are prepared according to recipes and guest specifications.
Monitor bar performance, including guest feedback, sales, and inventory, and adjust as needed to optimize bar operations.
Coordinate with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth communication and fast, accurate drink service during peak times.
Lead by example, providing guidance and support to junior bartenders and bar staff, maintaining a positive work environment.
Train, mentor, and coach bartenders on cocktail preparation, service standards, bar etiquette, and company policies.
Create staff schedules, ensuring the bar is adequately staffed for busy periods and special events.
Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance evaluations, and offer feedback to team members to ensure continuous improvement.
Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and accountability among the bar staff.
Provide excellent customer service by engaging with guests, addressing their needs, and ensuring their experience exceeds expectations.
Handle guest concerns and complaints promptly, professionally, and with a solution-oriented approach, ensuring the guest’s satisfaction.
Anticipate guest preferences and offer personalized recommendations for cocktails, wines, and beverages, ensuring a tailored experience.
Promote a welcoming and lively atmosphere at the bar, interacting with guests to enhance their experience while maintaining a professional demeanor.
Oversee bar inventory, ensuring that liquor, mixers, garnishes, glassware, and other supplies are adequately stocked and stored according to safety regulations.
Perform regular inventory checks and assist with ordering and replenishing stock as needed to avoid shortages or waste.
Manage the proper storage and handling of alcoholic beverages, ensuring all items are properly labeled and stored.
Monitor bar waste, over-pouring, and portion control, implementing measures to minimize costs and maximize profit margins.
Ensure the cleanliness and organization of the bar area at all times, maintaining an efficient and safe work environment.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, and alcohol service regulations, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation.
Enforce company policies, including responsible alcohol service, cash handling, and customer interactions.
Regularly inspect bar equipment (e.g., blenders, shakers, coolers) to ensure proper functioning, reporting any issues to management.
Assist in the creation and promotion of drink specials, happy hour offerings, and seasonal cocktail menus to attract guests and boost sales.
Lead or assist with the execution of special events, tastings, or promotions, ensuring smooth operations and a high level of guest satisfaction.
Collaborate with management to develop and implement promotional activities or themed nights to increase bar traffic and revenue.