Lead Bartender
11 days ago
Louisville
Job Description The Lead Bartender oversees high-volume beverage operations, mentors staff, and ensures seamless guest service across the hotel's bars and beverage programs. This role acts as a key operational link between bartending staff and Food & Beverage management, ensuring rigorous adherence to hotel standards, strict Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations, and Louisville Metro local ordinances. Safety and Environmental Performance • Lead the safety effort by personal example, • Support full hotel compliance with safety rules to further our goal of zero (0) accidents and encouragement of reporting and correcting near misses, • Adhere to SOPs and other work procedures as required to assure guest satisfaction and consistencies to our customers, • Immediately report all injuries to the supervisor or manager on duty and to the security manager on duty Work Requirements • Lead bartender retains all responsibilities of the bartender role., • Mix, garnish, and pour premium drinks according to hotel recipe guidelines and portion controls., • Develop, test, and refine cocktail recipes, seasonal menus, and drink specials in alignment with brand standards and cost targets., • Standardize recipes, pours, garnishes, and glassware across all outlets, ensuring that every guest receives a consistent product., • Keep current on mixology trends, techniques, and products; bring new ideas to management for menu development., • Coordinate high-volume beverage ticket fulfillment during peak hotel check-ins, conventions, and banquet events., • Audit cash drawers, manage daily banks, and close out Point of Sale (POS) transactions securely., • Deliver a consistently high level of customer service to each client and maintain a safe environment., • Enforce strict age-verification protocols to ensure no guest under 21 is served or handed alcohol., • Actively monitor guest behavior to identify signs of intoxication and confidently refuse service when necessary., • Maintain clean, health-code-compliant workspaces in line with Louisville Metro Public Health departments., • Oversee strict compliance with Kentucky "Happy Hour" restrictions, ensuring no free/complimentary drinks are distributed and no personal credit is extended to guests., • Keep bar area clean in accordance with the company’s guidelines as well as the requirements of the local health department., • Conduct daily and weekly inventory counts and manage liquor replenishment., • Track par levels, place or assist in the ordering process, receive deliveries of product against invoices., • Maintain strict inventory controls to protect beverage costs and reduce product shrinkage., • Rotate stock (FIFO), manage storage standards, ensure proper labeling/handling of all bar product., • Safeguard high-value inventory by controlling access to back stock, cages, or locked liquor rooms per hotel policy., • Report inventory discrepancies, shrinkage, or suspected theft to management promptly and in writing., • Train and onboard bartenders, barbacks, and cocktail servers on recipes, techniques, POS procedures, responsible alcohol services, and hotel standards., • Onboard staff and verify that all newly hired beverage team members complete their mandatory local compliance training within their first 30 days of employment., • Provide ongoing coaching and skill-building to the team; run pre-shift tastings or menu briefings when new items launch. Verify staff competency with new procedures before they go live with new products., • Communicate menu changes, 86 items, and shift notes clearly across outlets and shifts., • Provide management with feedback on staffing needs, training gaps, and guest feedback trends., • Support cross-training across multiple outlets., • Complete opening and closing checklists, ensure compliance from staff; flag any incomplete handoffs to next shift or to management., • Model service, speed, and quality standards during every shift., • Hold staff accountable to recipe specs, cleanliness standards, and service procedures in the moment. Address minor issues in real time directly with the team; escalate performance, conduct, or disciplinary issues to management., • Maintain an accurate cash drawer throughout the night and be able to account for any and all discrepancies in the final drawer tally., • Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all departmental policies/service procedures/standards, • Maintain complete knowledge of correct maintenance and use of equipment. Use equipment only as intended., • Log equipment issues, maintenance needs and safety hazards., • Maintain positive guest relations at all times., • Be familiar with all hotel services/features and local attractions/activities to respond to guest inquiries accurately, • Resolve guest complaints, ensuring guest satisfaction, • Maintain complete knowledge of Point-of-Sales (POS) systems and manual systems Qualifications • Minimum of 2 to 3 years of high-volume bartending experience, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or shift-lead capacity., • Must be at least 20 years of age to legally mix and serve distilled spirits and wine under Kentucky state law., • Must hold or obtain a valid S.T.A.R. (Server Training in Alcohol Regulations) certification issued by the Kentucky ABC, or an equivalent approved responsible beverage server program (such as TIPS), within 30 days of hire., • Certification must be kept current and renewed every three years., • Proficiency operating major hospitality POS platforms (e.g., Micros, Aloha)., • Strong working knowledge of Bourbons., • High school diploma or GED equivalent., • Fluency in English both verbal and non-verbal., • Ability to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team., • Ability to work with minimal supervision., • Ability to maintain confidentiality of guest information and pertinent hotel data. Desirable: • Ability to suggestively sell., • Ability to input and access information in the property management system/computers/point of sales system., • Previous guest relations training.