Head Bartender

Roles and responsibilities

1. Advanced Mixology and Drink Knowledge

• Description: Expertise in crafting a wide variety of cocktails, including classic drinks, modern concoctions, and signature cocktails. Knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, garnishes, mixers, and proper techniques (shaking, stirring, muddling, etc.).
• Why It’s Important: The Head Bartender is the expert in the bar, ensuring that every drink is made to the highest standard, whether it's a classic cocktail or a custom order.

2. Leadership and Staff Management

• Description: The ability to lead and manage the bar staff, including bartenders, barbacks, and servers. This includes scheduling, training, delegating tasks, and ensuring high levels of performance and morale.
• Why It’s Important: The Head Bartender sets the tone for the team, motivating and ensuring that the bar runs efficiently, especially during busy hours. Strong leadership ensures a harmonious team and excellent customer service.

3. Customer Service Excellence

• Description: Providing top-tier service to customers, addressing their needs, and ensuring a positive experience. The Head Bartender should also be skilled at handling customer complaints, feedback, and tricky situations.
• Why It’s Important: Exceptional customer service is essential in retaining customers and maintaining a positive atmosphere at the bar. The Head Bartender is often the face of the bar and must be approachable, professional, and efficient.

4. Inventory Management

• Description: Responsible for managing stock levels, ordering supplies, tracking inventory, and minimizing waste. The Head Bartender ensures the bar is well-stocked with all necessary ingredients, glassware, and tools.
• Why It’s Important: Effective inventory management helps maintain smooth operations, reduce costs, and ensure that the bar never runs out of essential ingredients, which could affect service quality.

5. Knowledge of Alcohol Laws and Safety

• Description: Understanding and enforcing local alcohol laws, such as age verification, limits on alcohol sales, and safety protocols (e.g., responsible serving and handling intoxicated customers).
• Why It’s Important: The Head Bartender is responsible for ensuring that the bar operates legally and safely. They must be aware of regulations to avoid fines and legal trouble and to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.

6. Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving

• Description: The ability to manage conflicts, whether between customers or between staff members. The Head Bartender needs to diffuse tense situations with calm, tact, and professionalism.
• Why It’s Important: A calm and professional approach to conflict resolution ensures that issues are addressed before they escalate, maintaining a positive atmosphere and safeguarding the bar’s reputation.

7. Creativity and Innovation

• Description: The ability to create and experiment with new cocktails, suggest drink pairings, and keep the beverage menu fresh and exciting.
• Why It’s Important: Creativity keeps the bar’s offerings unique and appealing to customers. Offering signature drinks, seasonal specials, or custom cocktails can attract new customers and elevate the guest experience.

8. Financial and Budget Management

• Description: Ability to manage the bar’s budget, including costs of goods sold (COGS), labor costs, and other expenses. The Head Bartender may also be involved in pricing strategy, and promotions.
• Why It’s Important: Strong financial management ensures the bar remains profitable, balancing costs while maintaining the quality of drinks and service.

Desired candidate profile

As a Head Bartender, Tapaskae you will support the Assistant Manager to achieve the stated objectives in sales, cost control, employee retention, health and hygiene standards and to ensure an enjoyable guest experience whilst maintaining profitability.

1. Overseeing Daily Bar Operations

• Description: Ensuring smooth daily operations of the bar, including opening and closing duties, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring the bar runs efficiently.
• Why It’s Important: The Head Bartender ensures that everything runs smoothly, from the flow of service to the coordination with kitchen and front-of-house staff.

2. Supervising and Training Bar Staff

• Description: Managing the bar team, including hiring, training, and supervising staff, scheduling shifts, and ensuring high performance. Training may include cocktail techniques, customer service standards, and health and safety protocols.
• Why It’s Important: A strong, well-trained team is essential for providing excellent service and maintaining consistency and quality in the drinks and overall service.

3. Menu Development and Drink Innovation

• Description: Creating and updating the drink menu to reflect seasonal trends, customer preferences, and unique offerings. The Head Bartender may also be responsible for developing special cocktail promotions or themed drink nights.
• Why It’s Important: A dynamic, innovative menu keeps customers excited and interested, and can differentiate the bar from competitors.

4. Maintaining Inventory and Ordering Supplies

• Description: Overseeing inventory, ordering supplies, and maintaining stock levels to ensure the bar is fully stocked with all necessary ingredients, glassware, and tools. This includes keeping track of liquor, mixers, garnishes, and bar tools.
• Why It’s Important: Proper inventory management ensures that the bar is well-stocked and avoids service disruptions due to lack of stock. It also helps manage costs and reduce waste.

About Job

A perfect candidate should have a minimum 2 – 3 years’ experience in a similar role in a luxury hotel or restaurant. International experience preferred. Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. Committed to and passionate about the food and beverage industry. Willing to work flexible hours.