What are the responsibilities and job description for the Craft Cocktail Bartender / Mixologist position at PJ Lobster House?
Craft Cocktail Bartender / Mixologist
PJ Lobster House | Port Jefferson, NY
Experienced Cocktail Professionals Only — Immediate Opening
PJ Lobster House is seeking an experienced, personable, and talented Craft Cocktail Bartender / Mixologist who genuinely enjoys creating exceptional cocktails and delivering outstanding hospitality.
We're looking for someone who takes pride in the craft of bartending — someone who understands spirits, ingredients, flavor combinations, proper techniques, and beautiful cocktail presentation.
This is not an entry-level bartending position. We are looking for an established cocktail professional with proven, hands-on experience.
About the Position
Our intimate eight-seat bar offers the opportunity to develop relationships with regular customers, provide personalized service, and serve guests enjoying our full restaurant menu.
In addition to serving bar guests, our bartender is responsible for preparing cocktails for our full-service dining rooms.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable creating an exceptional espresso martini, engaging guests in conversation, taking a complete dinner order, and efficiently managing multiple service-bar tickets.
We value personality, professionalism, creativity, consistency, and genuine hospitality.
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on bartending experience in a full-service restaurant, upscale bar, or craft cocktail establishment.
- Excellent knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, spirits, ingredients, mixing techniques, and garnishes.
- Genuine enthusiasm for cocktail creativity, flavor profiles, and presentation.
- Ability to follow established cocktail recipes accurately and consistently.
- Proven ability to independently manage restaurant service-bar tickets while providing attentive service to seated bar guests.
- Strong restaurant experience, including food service, menu knowledge, POS systems, and handling guest payments.
- Excellent multitasking skills, organization, efficiency, and a strong sense of urgency.
- Outgoing, confident, and engaging personality with the ability to connect with guests and build relationships with regular customers.
- Professional, polished presentation and a positive, hospitality-focused attitude.
- Ability to anticipate guest needs, maintain an organized bar, and provide exceptional service without constant supervision.
Schedule
Saturday, Sunday & Monday — Approximately 11 AM to 9 PM
Consistent three-day schedule with four days off each week.
Compensation & Benefits
- $11.35/hour plus tips.
- Additional bartender tip-out equal to 10% of servers' alcohol sales.
- Bartenders retain their direct tips with no required tip-out to barbacks or other support staff.
- Established, year-round restaurant with an intimate eight-seat bar and full dining-menu service.
- 401(k) eligibility.
- Employee dining discounts.
- Paid training.
Application Requirements
We're looking for candidates with real, verifiable cocktail bartending experience, not simply general food and beverage experience.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss their previous cocktail programs, restaurant service-bar responsibilities, and experience handling both seated guests and dining-room drink orders.
Selected candidates will participate in a practical cocktail knowledge and bartending skills assessment as part of the interview process.
If you love the art of creating great cocktails, enjoy engaging with guests, and have the experience to operate a professional restaurant bar confidently and efficiently, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: $11.35 per hour
Expected hours: 30.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Paid training
Application Question(s):
- Are you available to work all three scheduled days—Saturday, Sunday, and Monday—from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every week?
- Describe your experience working as the primary bartender in a full-service restaurant. How did you balance preparing cocktails for dining-room servers while serving food and drinks to customers seated at the bar?
- Describe three craft cocktails you regularly prepare, including their ingredients and preparation methods. What experience do you have following established cocktail recipes?
Experience:
- Craft cocktail bartending: 3 years (Required)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $11