What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager Bar Operations & Cocktail Innovation position at Castle & Key Distillery?
Position Summary
Castle & Key is building one of the great cocktail destinations in America, grounded in a simple philosophy: classic foundations, Kentucky ingredients, modern technique, and relentless hospitality.
The Manager Bar Ops & Cocktail Innovation will lead the day-to-day operation and long-term growth of our cocktail program, from Taylorton Station to a future flagship bar, pop-ups, events, and bartender education. The ideal candidate is part bartender, part educator, part operator, and part creative director, and brings the curiosity to keep asking, “Can we make it better?”
Key Responsibilities
Cocktail Program & Innovation
Lead the cocktail program across all Castle & Key bars and experiences, with menus that balance exceptional classics, seasonal signatures, and experimental drinks.
Run a regular R&D process where the team tastes, tests, and develops new cocktails, and document the work in a lasting cocktail archive.
Partner closely with the distillery team so bartenders understand our spirits and distillers see how they perform in cocktails.
Team Leadership & Education
Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing beverage team, including scheduling, performance, and day-to-day management.
Build clear career paths for bartenders, including tracks for those who want to lead, create, or teach.
Develop a bartender training program that starts with our own team and grows over time to serve the wider industry.
Operations & Guest Experience
Oversee beverage inventory, costing, pricing, recipes, and operating standards to run a consistent and profitable program.
Lead by example behind the bar and ensure every drink and interaction reflects Castle & Key’s hospitality standards.
Ensure compliance with company policies, responsible alcohol service, and health and safety standards.
Experiences, Events & Industry Engagement
Create seasonal pop-ups, mobile bar activations, and cocktail events that give guests new reasons to visit and return.
Help build industry programs such as guest bartender residencies, national cocktail competitions, and an annual cocktail festival.
Build relationships across the cocktail and spirits community and partner with Marketing and Events to grow the program’s visibility.
Program Growth
Serve as the beverage and operations lead in planning a future flagship cocktail bar and other new spaces on the property.
Qualifications
5 years of progressive cocktail, bar, or hospitality experience, including leading a high-quality cocktail program and team.
Deep knowledge of classic cocktails, spirits, modern technique, and beverage service.
Proven ability to manage, train, and develop a team.
Experience with inventory, costing, and menu development, including high-volume or draft cocktail service.
Creative, curious, organized, and able to lead several initiatives at once.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events, with occasional travel.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a craft cocktail bar, distillery, or destination hospitality environment.
Background in bartender education, competitions, guest bartender programs, or industry events.
Experience opening a new bar