Lead Bartender

Swan Room Lead Bartender
The Lead Bartender is responsible for managing and maintaining all aspects of the cocktail and liquor programs, including selection, sourcing, pricing, and inventory control. This role requires a balance of creative direction, training, and quality control, with a focus on exceptional service and hospitality. The Lead Bartender leads by example, setting the standard for a team-oriented approach to service excellence, training, and smooth bar operations.

In addition to direct guest service, the Lead Bartender ensures that the team provides prompt, genuine hospitality, managing guest requests and guiding bartenders to deliver flawless service. This role requires mastery of spirits, cocktails, and the ability to uphold the highest standards of service, in line with hotel and brand expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Guest Experience

• Provide Exceptional Service: Greet guests warmly, assist with wayfinding, and ensure a seamless experience throughout their visit.
• Service Standards: Execute and uphold all service guidelines and brand standards, following the sequence of service with accuracy.
• Feedback and Communication: Communicate guest feedback to management and address any service issues promptly.
• Genuine Hospitality: Engage guests, using names when known, to foster a welcoming atmosphere.

Operations

• Cocktail & Liquor Program Management: Maintain cocktail standards, ensure all products are available, and source top-quality spirits.
• Inventory Control: Manage inventory, monitor stock levels, and oversee product ordering and storage.
• Compliance & Standards: Adhere to health department and hotel/F&B safety guidelines, ensuring bar cleanliness and safety.
• Financial Accuracy: Handle cash responsibly, report daily sales accurately, and ensure POS accuracy for all offerings.
• Organizational Upkeep: Execute opening, closing, and side duties, maintaining bar tools, supplies, and equipment.

Team Management & Training

• Training & Development: Train bartenders on cocktail recipes, preparation techniques, and service standards, ensuring product knowledge mastery.
• Team Support: Direct and support bar staff, providing guidance, feedback, and coaching as needed.
• Recruitment & Onboarding: Assist in recruiting new bar team members and oversee onboarding and ongoing staff education.
• Shift Supervision: Maintain a minimum of four bartending shifts weekly, with up to one admin day, and close down the bar 2-3 nights per week.

Beverage Creativity & Quality Control

• Creative Direction: Collaborate on cocktail development and establish a program that aligns with hotel/F&B brand values.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee and enforce high standards of ingredient integrity, cocktail presentation, and guest satisfaction.
• Innovation: Create and update syrups, infusions, garnishes, and specialty drinks, ensuring adherence to recipes.
• Educational Programming: Facilitate monthly staff education sessions on cocktails, spirits, and service techniques.

Administration & Reporting

• Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date recipe and training guides on the shared drive, distributing updates to the team.
• Compliance Reporting: Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and compliance standards in bar areas.
• Product Ordering: Manage orders and maintain a well-stocked, organized, and compliant storage area.

Brand Representation

• Ambassadorship: Represent the brand values within the bar, fostering relationships with guests and building guest loyalty.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with service staff to ensure brand standards are consistently upheld across the team.

In addition to performing the key responsibilities listed above, this position is required to perform a combination of the following:  

• Be a team player and support other roles during service  

• Share input and feedback to what can be improved in service to the management team  

• Additional duties as necessary and assigned  

• Ability to maintain composure in a fast-paced environment  

• Upholds Department of Health Standards  

• Upholds uniform guidelines and a polished appearance  

• Consistently reports to scheduled shifts on time  

• Provides attentiveness and excellence in service. Adheres to steps of service. Follows all company policies, procedures, and guidelines  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

The physical demands for this position includes standing and working for long periods of time and moving intermittently during work hours. The employee is required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level. These physical demands described here must be met by the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.  

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. 

Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel which may include overtime, weekends, and holidays. The employee will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the manager. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at will' employment relationship. The employee will actively follow Company policies addressed in the Employee Handbook.  

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Salary : $18