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Bar manager vs catering manager

The differences between bar managers and catering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a bar manager and a catering manager. Additionally, a catering manager has an average salary of $51,962, which is higher than the $46,828 average annual salary of a bar manager.

The top three skills for a bar manager include customer service, wine and beverage orders. The most important skills for a catering manager are customer service, culinary, and food service.

Bar manager vs catering manager overview

Bar ManagerCatering Manager
Yearly salary$46,828$51,962
Hourly rate$22.51$24.98
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs165,63388,658
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

What does a bar manager do?

Bar managers are also called bar owners or supervisors of bar establishments. The managers are in charge of managing customer complaints, ensuring stocks in the bar, and in scheduling the jobs of employees. They oversee the overall operations of the bar, manage its staff, and ensure that the standards of products and services are met. They maintain the licensure of liquor and make sure that their staff follows the local regulations. Also, they see to it that customers are served promptly.

What does a catering manager do?

Catering managers are responsible for managing the daily catering operations and services in hotels, restaurants, and resorts. They monitor the quality of food and service provided by their outlets as well as make sure they are presented well. Their goals include achieving high customer satisfaction, producing excellent quality food, and maintaining that sanitary protocols are strictly followed. A degree is not a standard requirement for this job; however, employers do value those who have relevant qualifications with food, home, hotel, and hospitality management.

Bar manager vs catering manager salary

Bar managers and catering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bar ManagerCatering Manager
Average salary$46,828$51,962
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $65,000Between $37,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityGreenwich, CTSanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNevada
Best paying companyGreenwich Country ClubBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between bar manager and catering manager education

There are a few differences between a bar manager and a catering manager in terms of educational background:

Bar ManagerCatering Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Bar manager vs catering manager demographics

Here are the differences between bar managers' and catering managers' demographics:

Bar ManagerCatering Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 56.0% Female, 44.0%Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 8.4% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between bar manager and catering manager duties and responsibilities

Bar manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage liquor and wine inventory and develop cocktail menus taking advantage of fresh ingredients.
  • Inventory and order bar stock and manage FOH staff, as well as ensured food quality and timeliness of service.
  • Manage front-of-house operations for upscale wine bar and restaurant, including assisting in monitoring and management of inventory and finances.
  • Perform typical bartending duties including all aspects of customer service.
  • Direct all bartending operations as well as ordering and inventory management.
  • Help with shift movement according seniority while abiding by the bartender and culinary CBA.
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Catering manager example responsibilities.

  • Prepare and manage BEOs to client specifications including auto-visual requirements.
  • Assist patients by test tasting food for allergies and accuracy.
  • Design and consult members on d cor, menu and wine selection for private events.
  • Ensure that those with food allergies or restrict diets have appropriate safe dishes to consume at meal times.
  • Work closely with culinary, stewarding and banquet department on specialty menus and customize events.
  • Full responsibility for all operations of several bars during service time including reporting and finance management.
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Bar manager vs catering manager skills

Common bar manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Beverage Orders, 7%
  • Bartending, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • POS, 5%
Common catering manager skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Culinary, 10%
  • Food Service, 10%
  • Excellent Client, 6%
  • Booking, 4%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%

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