Bartender

Roles and responsibilities

Key Skills for a Bartender:

1. Mixology and Drink Preparation

• Description: Knowledge of cocktail recipes, drink ingredients, and the ability to mix and prepare beverages according to customer preferences and standard recipes.
• Why It’s Important: A bartender needs to craft drinks quickly and accurately, whether it's a classic cocktail, a signature drink, or a custom order. Familiarity with spirits, mixers, garnishes, and techniques (e.g., shaking, stirring, muddling) is essential.

2. Customer Service Skills

• Description: Providing excellent customer service by being attentive, friendly, and engaging with customers. Ensuring that all patrons feel welcome and valued.
• Why It’s Important: Customer satisfaction is key to the success of any bar or restaurant. A bartender’s attitude and approach can influence a customer’s entire experience.

3. Communication Skills

• Description: Clear and effective communication, both with customers and other staff members (e.g., kitchen staff, waiters, managers).
• Why It’s Important: Bartenders must communicate drink orders, handle customer requests, and often work in high-pressure situations. Good communication ensures smooth service and minimizes mistakes.

4. Knowledge of Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

• Description: Understanding the various types of alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, wine, spirits, liqueurs), their characteristics, and how they pair with foods.
• Why It’s Important: A bartender should know how to suggest drinks based on customer preferences, dietary needs, or pairings. This expertise can elevate the customer experience.

5. Attention to Detail

• Description: Precision when measuring ingredients, garnishing drinks, and remembering customers' orders.
• Why It’s Important: Consistency in drink preparation is crucial for customer satisfaction. Bartenders must also keep track of drink garnishes, glassware, and special customer preferences.

6. Multitasking and Time Management

• Description: The ability to juggle multiple orders, handle busy periods, and ensure efficient service, all while maintaining accuracy.
• Why It’s Important: A busy bar can be chaotic, and bartenders often need to serve multiple customers at once. Managing time effectively and staying organized ensures no one is left waiting too long for a drink.

7. Money Handling and Cash Management

• Description: Handling cash, processing payments (credit/debit cards), and giving change accurately. Bartenders also need to track tabs and make sure customers pay before they leave.
• Why It’s Important: Accurate money handling prevents errors and theft, ensures the business runs smoothly, and provides customers with a positive experience.

8. Knowledge of Local Alcohol Laws and Regulations

• Description: Familiarity with legal drinking age requirements, the responsible serving of alcohol, and local licensing regulations (e.g., checking IDs, managing intoxicated patrons).
• Why It’s Important: Bartenders need to follow legal guidelines to ensure both customer safety and compliance with laws. This includes refusing service to intoxicated individuals and serving alcohol responsibly.

9. Physical Stamina and Endurance

• Description: Bartenders often work long shifts, sometimes standing for hours, lifting heavy bottles or kegs, and working in a fast-paced environment.
• Why It’s Important: The role can be physically demanding. Good stamina helps bartenders manage the demands of a busy bar shift and remain energetic and efficient.

10. Cleanliness and Organization

• Description: Keeping the bar area clean, organized, and well-stocked. This includes washing glassware, wiping down surfaces, and restocking supplies as needed.
• Why It’s Important: Cleanliness is essential not only for hygiene but also for creating a welcoming atmosphere. An organized bartender works faster and reduces errors during busy shifts.

Desired candidate profile

As a Bartender, your role will be to work alongside the head bartender in planning, organizing, and supervising all aspects of the Bar's operations. This includes maintaining a clean and orderly workspace, delivering consistent service that aligns with One&Only One Za'abeel Standard Opening Procedures, and striving to maximize revenue and profit in accordance with the budget and forecast.

About You

The ideal candidate for this Bartender position should have a minimum of 2 years of previous experience in a similar role, demonstrating expertise in bartending and preferably holding a WSET Level 2 certification or equivalent bar courses. International experience is highly regarded. We seek an individual who is outgoing, confident, and possesses excellent communication skills. They should exhibit the right attitude, be flexible, and excel as a team player even in high-pressure situations. Analytical thinking, sincerity, and dependability are key traits we value. This candidate should lead by example, embracing a dynamic and energetic approach with a positive "can-do" attitude. They must have the ability to perform effectively and maintain composure under pressure. Self-motivation, unwavering commitment, and a deep passion for the Food & Beverage industry are essential attributes we are looking for in this role.