How to hire a bar manager/bartender

How to hire a bar manager/bartender, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bar manager/bartender hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bar manager/bartender job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bar manager/bartender
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the bar manager/bartender you need to hire. Certain bar manager/bartender roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A bar manager/bartender's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bar managers/bartender from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of bar manager/bartender salaries for various roles:

   Type of Bar Manager/Bartender	Description	Hourly rate
   Bar Manager/Bartender		$8-17
   Kitchen Supervisor	A kitchen supervisor is responsible for managing the overall kitchen operations, ensuring that the kitchen employees follow sanitary procedures while doing their high-quality and maximum productivity tasks. Kitchen supervisors manage inventories, checking the adequacy of food supplies and kitchen equipment, and negotiating contracts with suppliers and third-party vendors... Show more	$13-27
   Cook Supervisor	Cook supervisors are responsible for coordinating the kitchen members and ensure that all orders are prepared on time and according to customer specifications. They must be skilled in the culinary department, knowledgeable of the food safety regulations, and lead a team of cooks, washers, and helpers to achieve an organized kitchen... Show more	$12-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Bartending
   • Cleanliness
   • Customer Service
   • POS
   • Cash Handling
   • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
   • Beverage Service
   • Craft Beer
   • Drink Orders
   • Beverage Orders
   • Fine Dining
   • Food Orders
   • Exceptional Guest

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
   • Operate large-volume cooking equipment such as grills, deep fryers, stoves and ovens.
   • Direct bartending operations, overseeing seamless beverage service, scheduling, inventory management and customer service.
   • Take drink and food orders, enter orders in the POS system, collect and process cash and credit card payments.
   • Use computerize registers to swipe beverage servers micros.
   • Oversee and direct staff to execute BEO's in accordance to client's needs and specifications.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bar manager/bartender job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A bar manager/bartender can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, bar managers/bartender' average salary in utah is 40% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bar managers/bartender 53% less than senior-level bar managers/bartender.
   • Certifications. A bar manager/bartender with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a bar manager/bartender's salary.

   Average bar manager/bartender salary

   $12.04hourly

   $25,051 yearly

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   Entry-level bar manager/bartender salary

   $17,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

4. Writing a bar manager/bartender job description

   A job description for a bar manager/bartender role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a bar manager/bartender job description:

   Bar manager/bartender job description example

   About Us
   InterContinental Buckhead is one of Atlanta's established Mobil Four Star luxury properties located in the heart of the prestigious Buckhead neighborhood. InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta is a stately and sophisticated hotel that offers premier travel experience with 422 guest rooms, 31,000 square feet of flexible event space including our lavish ballrooms which can host up to 850 guests for a seated dinner and 1500 for a convention, conference or reception. Enjoy local Italian Steakhouse-inspired cuisine at the AMERICANO RESTAURANT & BAR, by Scott Conant - Celebrity Chef, serving lunch and dinner. Meet friends and colleagues at AMERICANO Bar and sip your way through our many handcrafted cocktails & craft bourbons. Or enjoy a workout in our fitness center or a swim in our outdoor saltwater pool. Pamper yourself in our newly-renovated InterContinental Spa at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta where we combine our expertise in growing and crafting pure and effective skin care with holistic therapies from around the world. Disclaimer: Not Applicable for Colorado Applicants
   
   Your day to day
   Qualifications include basic reading, writing and mathematical skills. Specialized knowledge of bartending and mixing drinks; knowledge of liquor brands, beer, wine, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages, and designated glassware, preparation methods and garnishments. You must meet state legal age requirements and need an alcohol awareness certification and/or food service permit or valid health/food handler cards as required by local or state government agency. You may be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays. This job requires ability to perform the following: handling, carrying or lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, kneeling and lifting. In return we'll give you a competitive financial and benefits package which may include healthcare support, dental, vision, disability and life insurance support, and a matching 401k plan. Hotel discounts worldwide are available as well as access to a wide variety of discount programs and the chance to work with a great team of people. Most importantly, we'll give you the room to be yourself. So what's your passion? Please get in touch and tell us how you could bring your individual skills to IHG. IHG is an equal opportunity employer: Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans.
   
   What we need from you
   Qualifications include basic reading, writing and mathematical skills. Specialized knowledge of bartending and mixing drinks; knowledge of liquor brands, beer, wine, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages, and designated glassware, preparation methods and garnishments. You m ust meet state legal age requirements and need an alcohol awareness certification and/or food service permit or valid health/food handler cards as required by local or state government agency. You may be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays. This job requires ability to perform the following: handling, carrying or lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, kneeling and lifting. In return we'll give you a competitive financial and benefits package which may include healthcare support, dental, vision, disability and life insurance support, and a matching 401k plan. Hotel discounts worldwide are available as well as access to a wide variety of discount programs and the chance to work with a great team of people. Most importantly, we'll give you the room to be yourself. So what's your passion? Please get in touch and tell us how you could bring your individual skills to IHG. IHG is an equal opportunity employer: Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans.
   
   What we offer
   In return we will offer you a competitive benefits package which may include healthcare support, dental, vision, disability and life insurance support, and a matching 401k plan. Hotel discounts worldwide are available as well as access to a wide variety of discount programs and the chance to work with a great team of people. Most importantly, we'll give you the room to be yourself. So what's your passion? Please get in touch and tell us how you could bring your individual skills to IHG. IHG is an equal opportunity employer: Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans. IND
   
   Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today and let's #GoFurtherTogether.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right bar manager/bartender for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bar manager/bartender job on Zippia to find and recruit bar manager/bartender candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit bar managers/bartender, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bar manager/bartender

   Once you have selected a candidate for the bar manager/bartender position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new bar manager/bartender. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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