Lead Bartender

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities  

• Bar Management & Operations: 

• Oversee the daily operations of the bar, ensuring efficient service and a positive guest experience. 

• Manage the bar’s setup, stock levels, and cleanliness, ensuring all supplies are organized and readily available. 

• Maintain the highest standards of drink quality and presentation, consistently ensuring that all drinks are prepared according to recipes and guest specifications. 

• Monitor bar performance, including guest feedback, sales, and inventory, and adjust as needed to optimize bar operations. 

• Coordinate with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth communication and fast, accurate drink service during peak times. 

• Leadership & Team Supervision: 

• Lead by example, providing guidance and support to junior bartenders and bar staff, maintaining a positive work environment. 

• Train, mentor, and coach bartenders on cocktail preparation, service standards, bar etiquette, and company policies. 

• Create staff schedules, ensuring the bar is adequately staffed for busy periods and special events. 

• Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance evaluations, and offer feedback to team members to ensure continuous improvement. 

• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and accountability among the bar staff. 

• Guest Experience & Customer Service: 

• Provide excellent customer service by engaging with guests, addressing their needs, and ensuring their experience exceeds expectations. 

• Handle guest concerns and complaints promptly, professionally, and with a solution-oriented approach, ensuring the guest’s satisfaction. 

• Anticipate guest preferences and offer personalized recommendations for cocktails, wines, and beverages, ensuring a tailored experience. 

• Promote a welcoming and lively atmosphere at the bar, interacting with guests to enhance their experience while maintaining a professional demeanor. 

• Inventory & Stock Control: 

• Oversee bar inventory, ensuring that liquor, mixers, garnishes, glassware, and other supplies are adequately stocked and stored according to safety regulations. 

• Perform regular inventory checks and assist with ordering and replenishing stock as needed to avoid shortages or waste. 

• Manage the proper storage and handling of alcoholic beverages, ensuring all items are properly labeled and stored. 

• Monitor bar waste, over-pouring, and portion control, implementing measures to minimize costs and maximize profit margins. 

• Quality Control & Standards: 

• Ensure the cleanliness and organization of the bar area at all times, maintaining an efficient and safe work environment. 

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and alcohol service regulations, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation. 

• Enforce company policies, including responsible alcohol service, cash handling, and customer interactions. 

• Regularly inspect bar equipment (e.g., blenders, shakers, coolers) to ensure proper functioning, reporting any issues to management. 

• Event Support & Special Promotions: 

• Assist in the creation and promotion of drink specials, happy hour offerings, and seasonal cocktail menus to attract guests and boost sales. 

• Lead or assist with the execution of special events, tastings, or promotions, ensuring smooth operations and a high level of guest satisfaction. 

• Collaborate with management to develop and implement promotional activities or themed nights to increase bar traffic and revenue. 

Education and/or Experience  

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training in hospitality or bartending is a plus. 

• Minimum of 3–5 years of bartending experience in a high-volume or upscale environment, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role. 

• In-depth knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, beers, wines, and cocktail preparation. 

• Experience in managing bar operations, inventory control, and staff supervision. 

• Certification in alcohol safety or bartending (e.g., TIPS, Responsible Beverage Service) is preferred. 

Skills/Specialized Knowledge 

• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff. 

• Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to engage guests and provide an exceptional experience. 

• In-depth knowledge of cocktail recipes, bartending techniques, and beverage trends. 

• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks while maintaining focus on quality service. 

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively. 

• Proficient in handling inventory, stock management, and cost-control measures. 

Physical Demands 

• Ability to stand and move around the bar for extended periods. 

• Ability to lift and carry heavy items, such as bottles, kegs, and glassware (up to 25 pounds). 

• Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment, particularly during peak service hours. 

• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and stoop to access storage areas or restock supplies. 

 Why Join Proper Hospitality 

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together. 

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper). 

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.   

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work 

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically. 

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.  

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category. 

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.