Lead Bartender

Aparium Hotel Group•Denver, CO

6d•$20 - $36

About The Position

Lead Bartender- Full Time Reports to: Food & Beverage Manager, position is non-exempt Accepting applications through January 5th, 2026, or until filled WHO WE ARE? Hotels done differently. It's not a slogan or catchphrase, it is who we are in everything we do. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character. We ensure our hotels are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated, elevating our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. Our hotel is a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities of where we operate. A little bit rebel, a little bit refined, The Populus is smart and sophisticated, charming, and confident, and always down for shaking up the status quo. Consistently moving the needle on what a social club can be, Populus thrives on the counterculture spirit, constantly challenging what it means to gather and engage while connecting guests to each other and what inspires them. Populus believes the more interested you are, the more interesting you are! The hotel is managed by Aparium Hotel Group founded in 2011 is driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings, Aparium was born with an intense focus on unearthing the amazing moments unique to every city. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. It is a sophisticated hotel brand known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets. WHO YOU ARE? Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to the how and what a hospitality operation professional is responsible for. You delight in the smiles you share and the positive experiences that you create. You feel comfortable when things get busy, and you must make smart, in-the-moment decisions, as it is just natural for you to do so. Above all, it is your mission to spread joy to all you encounter when making their specialty drinks. You are energized through your interactions with people, and there is nothing that gives you more satisfaction thank making our customer smile. THE ROLE The Lead Bartender reports directly to the Director of Food & Beverage, while providing some insight to the Beverage Manager. It is critical the person in this position is tactical and strategic; if you only prefer to “see the forest” and not “plant the trees,” then this is not a role for you. All leaders of Aparium are required to get down and dirty to unearth existing needs and personally ensure what needs to be fixed is repaired. We are a young company that is in hyper-growth, so having the ability to be a soldier is as critical as being a general. As the Lead Bartender, you will assist in leading the Restaurant, Bar and In-Room Dining Service F&B Team to execute the daily breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner services in our restaurant. The Lead Bartender is expected to lead by example while spending much of the day engaging with your associates and guests before, during, and after services. We encourage our leaders to inspire and challenge each other to be their best. A large degree of self-motivation is needed to drive the department, while collaborating with the Culinary Team to execute your restaurant concept at a high level. As a leader at MC, you will work with a phenomenal group of peers who insist that you are collaborative, humble, experienced, and open-minded - no egos are allowed. The Lead Bartender will maintain and execute the Standards of Service for the Restaurant, assuring success for the guest experience.

Requirements

Passion for the People, Place and Culture of our community, love of Restaurants and Guest Service also required
Minimum of five (5) years' experience in bartending, with at least two (2) years' experience in a leadership role
Must be proficient in Word, Excel and other applicable computer systems
Baseline-level knowledge of POS systems
Baseline-level knowledge, or ability to obtain, in reporting and inventory management tools such as Avero, Beverager and Accubar
Baseline understanding of excellent service, labor control, maintenance, merchandising and accounting
Ability to obtain and/or maintain Alcohol Awareness certification (IPACT) and Food Handlers Certification (ServSafe) within 30-days of hire
Thorough understanding of all food & beverage items offered, including ingredients, methods of preparation and proper service.
Advanced knowledge of wines and spirits
Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, associates may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Fluency in English both verbally and non-verbally
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time; push, pull, lift up to 50 lbs

Responsibilities

Offer direct support for your team through coaching, counseling, gentle correction, and constructive feedback
Collaborate effectively with Hotel Operations to provide an exemplary guest experience
Be respectful in your daily interactions with your managers, direct reports, and peers, exemplifying the utmost level of professionalism and being a pillar within your community
Become a subject matter expert in bar service, as well as understanding the history of the cuisine most closely related to the hotel food & beverage concept(s), effectively guiding others in their personal search with a gentle hand, never admonishing their lack of knowledge
Demonstrates business acumen by ensuring that initiatives align with operational goals and budgets; shows passion to further develop this skillset
Uphold and model the company's principles of People, Place and Character; and ensure your team also models the way our values drive collaboration, intuition and translocal hospitality
Actively assist in recruitment, training, scheduling, supervising, coaching, and motivation of all Restaurant, Bar in order to create an environment that nurtures ideas and develops future talent for succession planning in the F&B program
Ensure timely set-up of the bar and adhere to F&B standards and guest requests through active communication with the F&B Department.
Responsible for maintaining a strong guest and VIP relationship and ensuring all requests are communicated to staff
Work with the F&B team to effectively communicate all requests
Assist in managing inventory, control breakage/loss reduction of china, glass and silver related to restaurant services.
Inspect and oversee the cleanliness and maintenance of all bar space, public areas, and service areas
Assists in other F&B departments as needed
Maintain regular communication with the F&B Management team to provide updates, discuss plans, communicate needs, and align on priorities, understanding that flexibility with your responsibilities is paramount to support a successful operation