Barista/Bartender

Description

About Lovestruck Books & Cafe

Lovestruck Books & Cafe is a vibrant community hub where the love of literature meets the art of hospitality. With our new bar and cafe officially open, we offer a fully integrated experience where specialty coffee, craft cocktails, culinary treats, and books all live under one roof. Whether guests are stopping in for a morning latte, browsing for a new book, attending a special event, or enjoying an evening craft cocktail on the patio, they are entering a space where the heartbeat of the community is always present. We are building a team that is passionate about growing with us as we refine this neighborhood destination.

Role Snapshot

The Barista/Bartender is a versatile hospitality role for someone who is excited to work across specialty coffee, craft beverages, light culinary preparation, and guest service. Team members will be cross-trained in both our coffee and bar programs and will transition between espresso service, beer, wine and cocktail service, culinary support, and event operations based on the needs of the business. This role requires flexibility, a Lovestruck-first hospitality mindset, and a willingness to support the team wherever needed to create a consistent guest experience throughout the day and evening.

Key Responsibilities

Alcohol & Beverage Excellence

• Specialty Coffee Service: Prepare high-quality espresso-based beverages, latte art, brewed coffee, and seasonal specials according to established recipes and quality standards.
• Bar Service: Prepare and serve signature cocktails, wine, craft beer, and other alcoholic beverages according to established recipes and quality standards.
• Product Knowledge: Build expertise across our coffee beans and roasting profiles, spirits, wine, beer, and food menus to provide thoughtful recommendations to guests.
• Culinary & Kitchen Support: Assist with the preparation and service of food menu items when necessary. This includes preparing house-made ingredients from scratch (syrups, infusions, specialty garnishes) and ensuring the kitchen/bar line is portioned and stocked for service.
  
  

Service & Brand Experience

• The Lovestruck Experience: Act as a brand ambassador, ensuring the bar experience is a seamless extension of the bookstore’s culture. Represent the indie spirit by engaging guests in literary trends and flavor profiles to reinforce our identity as a community hub.
• Integrated Service Delivery: Deliver professional service across the bar, dining area, and patio with high order accuracy, prompt delivery, and proactive floor maintenance.
• Right-Fit Service: Adapt your service energy to the room’s atmosphere, tailoring your approach to suit everything from high-volume Friday nights to quiet, intimate author conversations.
• Resy Management: Utilize the Resy platform to manage reservations, coordinate seating flow, and check in guests to maximize efficiency and the guest experience.
• Guest Interaction: Create a welcoming space where guests feel encouraged to stay and explore. Take orders accurately, deliver food and drinks promptly, and proactively maintain floor cleanliness (bussing and resetting) across both indoor and outdoor settings.
  
  

Event Collaboration & Execution

• Event F&B Support: Partner closely with the events team to facilitate food and beverage requirements for events, private bookings, and community gatherings.
• Event Support & Execution: Actively participate in the lifecycle of store events, including physical setup and breakdown (moving furniture/displays), guest check-in, providing on-site assistance to ensure events run smoothly, and more.
• High-Volume Service: Maintain high standards of speed, accuracy, and hospitality during high-pressure event windows, serving as a key representative of our brand to event hosts and their guests.
  
  

Operational Accountability

• Facility Cleanliness: Maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness across the Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH). This includes keeping guest areas inviting and ensuring the kitchen prep and bar areas are sanitized and tidy.
• Inventory & Waste: Conduct regular, accurate inventory counts for cafe and bar supplies. Diligently record all product waste (preparation loss, spills, expired items) to ensure precise operational reporting.
• Equipment Care: Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of essential equipment, including espresso machines, grinders, and ovens.
• General Operations: Perform additional duties as assigned by management to maintain the success and safety of the establishment.
  
  

Safety & Compliance

• TIPS & Allergen Awareness Certification: Obtain and maintain TIPS certification prior to or upon employment; company-sponsored training is available.
• Age Verification: Strictly enforce legal drinking age requirements by checking IDs for all alcohol service.
• Responsible Service: Monitor patron behavior and practice responsible alcohol service at all times.
• Food Safety: Adhere to all local health department protocols regarding food handling and sanitation.
  
  

Schedule & Compensation

• Role Type: Part-time or Full-time, Non-Exempt; onsite in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
• Wage: $16.00 - 18.00 per hour, plus tips.
• Benefits: Store discounts, professional development opportunities, access to free Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) and a vibrant literary community.
• Hours: Includes a mix of weekdays, weekends, nights, holidays, and special events.
  
  

Full-Time Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and long term disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Travel reimbursement of $50.00 per month.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Lovestruck Books, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace and enhances our ability to serve our community. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, and educational background. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

• Experience: At least 1-2 years of experience in specialty coffee, a high-volume bar or craft cocktail environment, or a comparable hospitality setting. Experience in both coffee and alcohol service is strongly preferred; enthusiasm for cross-training is required.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Toast or similar restaurant management software is highly desirable.
• Certification: Ability to obtain and maintain TIPS certification (company-sponsored).
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs (e.g., kegs, cases, food supplies), and work comfortably in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Collaborative Mindset: A positive approach to a role that requires adaptability across coffee, bar, and kitchen stations.