Bartenders play a critical role in the success of any bar or restaurant. Beyond mixing drinks and serving customers, they're entertainers, therapists, drink scientists, and often the face of your establishment. They create memorable guest experiences through craft cocktails, great conversation, and an ability to read the room — ensuring everyone feels welcome.
For restaurateurs and bar owners, recruiting the right bartender can be challenging. This isn't just a matter of hiring someone who can pour a perfect pint or stir a killer martini. You want someone who's equal parts skilled mixologist, customer service pro, and reliable team member who is adaptable enough to thrive in a fast-paced environment where needs change quickly.
An effective restaurant job description for a bartender helps attract the right talent and sets clear expectations. Here's an overview of what to include in your bartender job listing and why it matters.
Why a clear bartender job description matters
Mixing great cocktails is just one aspect of being a great bartender. The job requires a well-rounded skill set — including designing drink menus, managing inventory, and adhering to alcohol regulations — that helps define the identity of your restaurant or bar.
Beyond drink knowledge, bartenders are responsible for keeping the bar running smoothly. That means they need to be great communicators, attentive, and customer-oriented to make sure their guests are enjoying themselves.
As front-of-house staff, bartenders may need to take on some extra duties here and there, depending on the restaurant's needs. They may need to set up the bar at the start of their shift or prepare drinks for servers to deliver to tables. Bartenders also need to adhere to strict cleanliness guidelines and keep the bar organized to easily find ingredients, glassware, and other supplies. Finally, they help process payments at the bar, and may help the restaurant with billing.
Ultimately, bartenders need to be organized, flexible, and nimble — and a bartender job description should highlight the full scope of the role.
What an example bartender job description looks like
A great job description helps reach skilled job seekers. It should emphasize the specific requirements you're looking for, including hard and soft skills, along with the perks and benefits you will offer employees. Here's how you might go about structuring a bartender job description:
Job Title: Bartender
Location: [Restaurant name], [City, State]
Pay: Post the hourly wages or salary you will pay, and how/whether tip income is included.
Schedule: Specify full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week) and, if possible, the days or times you want them to work.
Restaurant Overview: Describe the type of restaurant or bar you run, and elaborate on the atmosphere, work environment, and company culture. Provide a summary of the attitudes, attributes, and aptitudes you're looking for in a successful candidate.
Roles and responsibilities: Outline the bartender's duties in greater detail. Here are some points to consider including:
Greet guests warmly and provide exceptional customer service.
Prepare and serve cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages according to recipes and guest preferences.
Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the drink menu, including seasonal and signature cocktails.
Take food and drink orders, entering them into the restaurant's POS system.
Monitor bar inventory and assist in ordering supplies as needed.
Ensure the bar is stocked, clean, and organized at all times.
Follow all health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
Check identification to verify legal drinking age.
Collaborate with the kitchen and front-of-house team to ensure a seamless guest experience.
Handle cash and card transactions accurately.
Assist in opening and closing duties, including setting up the bar, counting cash, and securing the premises.
What We're Looking For:
2+ years of bartending experience in a high-volume bar or restaurant
Knowledge of mixology, cocktail recipes, and drink trends
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Ability to work well under pressure and multitask
Strong teamwork and problem-solving abilities
Flexible availability, including evenings and weekends
Certification in safe alcohol service (e.g. ServSafe)
Perks & Benefits:
Competitive wages and tips
Flexible scheduling
A fun, supportive work environment
Staff discounts on food and drinks
Opportunities for growth and development
Health benefits
Key elements of an effective bartender job description
A front-of-house job description for bartenders should cover three core areas to be effective. First, it should tell applicants exactly what type of dining establishment you run, which adds context and nuance related to what you're looking for in bartending staff. Second, it should detail the roles and responsibilities that bartenders are accountable for. And third, it should list any prior requirements, certification, or training necessary.
1. The type of restaurant or bar you operate
Start your bartender job description with a clear summary of your restaurant or bar's concept and culture, and what type of candidate you're looking for.
A quaint, neighborhood wine bar? A chic, downtown cocktail bar? A relaxed, bustling gastropub? Each type of establishment calls for a bartender candidate with different experience, ranging from highly trained sommeliers and mixologists to someone just starting their career in hospitality.
2. The work schedule
Don't forget to include information about the type of hours, shifts, and coverage you're hiring for. Is this part-time or full-time? Afternoons, evenings, or brunch shift? Weekdays or weekends? If you want to attract the right talent, it's important to specify your restaurant's needs.
3. The specific duties of bartending
Be clear about the duties and responsibilities the bartender will be expected to carry out. Alongside the list of hard skills — mixing drinks, managing inventory — list out the soft skills you're looking for in a great bartender.
For instance, you could mention soft skills like being organized, great with customers, and able to manage multiple tasks at once. A great bartender can get a round of beers ready for the server to bring to table 10 while mixing dirty martinis to the exact specifications of the couple on date night.
4. The prerequisite job requirements
Not all restaurants or bars ask for prerequisites, but if you do,you can specify them in your job description to reach the right talent. Examples might include previous bartending experience, familiarity with processing payments and certain POS systems, the proper certification to serve alcohol, and, of course, being of legal age.
5. The perks and benefits you offer
A compelling job description highlights not just expectations but also what makes your restaurant a great place to work. Competitive wages, flexible scheduling, and a supportive team culture can set you apart. Highlight whether you offer growth opportunities, staff discounts, or health benefits — as these perks can attract dedicated, long-term employees worth investing in. Your job description should demonstrate why working at your business is an exciting and valuable career opportunity.
What to look for in bartender resumes
When reviewing bartender resumes, look for candidates who not only have the technical skills to mix drinks but also the personality and presence to engage customers. A great bartender thrives in fast-paced environments, balancing efficiency with a warm, approachable demeanor. Strong communication skills are needed to take orders, interact with guests, and coordinate with servers and kitchen staff. Prior experience in hospitality or bartending is a plus, but some candidates may have transferable skills from other customer-facing roles.
Pay attention to applicants who highlight their ability to multitask, stay organized under pressure, and work effectively as part of a team. Bartenders need sharp memory skills to quickly recall a range of drink recipes, remember regular customers' preferences, and execute multiple orders at once. An understanding of responsible alcohol service, including knowledge of state laws and safety protocols, is crucial. Certifications such as TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) or ServSafe Alcohol can indicate a commitment to professional standards.
While technical expertise is important, a passion for mixology and hospitality can set one candidate apart from another. Look for resumes that emphasize creativity, enthusiasm for craft cocktails, or a desire to contribute to an elevated guest experience. Ultimately, the best bartenders bring both skill and charm to their role, making every guest feel welcome.
How a strong job description boosts retention and performance
Most restaurateurs will agree that turnover is one of the industry's top challenges. Constantly having to cover and hire for vacant positions is costly both in terms of time and money. That's certainly the case for Mike Solomonov, whose CookNSolo restaurant group oversees many successful ventures and venues across Philadelphia.
His solution? Recruiting talent who want opportunities to advance in the company. By having a detailed bartender job description, you attract applicants who have a passion for food and customer service, which bodes well for their performance and longevity.
"We look at revenue, we look at sales, but really, we look at the way to position our employees and upward mobility for them. And that's what determines our growth."
At the end of the day, a restaurant job description is a chance to differentiate your business as a brand that people want to work for. Be sure to highlight the professional development opportunities you offer your employees, as well as the culture of engagement and empowerment at your establishment.
And if you want more ways to stand out to future employees, learn how offering benefits can increase retention in the restaurant industry.
