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Bar manager vs dining room manager

The differences between bar managers and dining room 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 dining room manager. Additionally, a dining room manager has an average salary of $49,372, 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 dining room manager are fine dining, food service, and good judgment.

Bar manager vs dining room manager overview

Bar ManagerDining Room Manager
Yearly salary$46,828$49,372
Hourly rate$22.51$23.74
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs165,633162,992
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
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 dining room manager do?

Dining Room Managers are responsible for supervising the operations of a dining establishment or restaurant. Their duties include ensuring workers adhere to operational and service standards, implement training and recruitment processes, addressing customer concerns, achieving customer satisfaction, and overseeing a restaurant's inventory and budget. Dining Room Managers compile daily reports, greet customers, introduce menus, and ensure the dining area is healthy and clean. They also assist in the orientation of workers.

Bar manager vs dining room manager salary

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

Bar ManagerDining Room Manager
Average salary$46,828$49,372
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $65,000Between $35,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityGreenwich, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyRhode Island
Best paying companyGreenwich Country ClubHca Hospital Services Of San Diego
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between bar manager and dining room manager education

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

Bar ManagerDining Room Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Bar manager vs dining room manager demographics

Here are the differences between bar managers' and dining room managers' demographics:

Bar ManagerDining Room Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 56.0% Female, 44.0%Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between bar manager and dining room 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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Dining room manager example responsibilities.

  • Interview, hire, train, and manage take-out and in-room delivery staff.
  • Control operational costs by managing bar and wine inventory.
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping, and effectively complete proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Manage daily FOH staff line-up, covering necessary instruction and education concerning fine-dining service and beverage, menu and company knowledge.
  • Team with culinary product development to integrate customer data into new products that increase revenue and customer satisfaction.
  • Entrust with the care of VIP guests like Thomas Keller, Michael Mina and Alain Passard.
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Bar manager vs dining room manager skills

Common bar manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Wine, 17%
  • Beverage Orders, 7%
  • Bartending, 5%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • POS, 5%
Common dining room manager skills
  • Fine Dining, 27%
  • Food Service, 12%
  • Good Judgment, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 12%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Food Handling, 4%

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