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Bartender manager vs head bartender

The differences between bartender managers and head bartenders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bartender manager and a head bartender. Additionally, a head bartender has an average salary of $89,366, which is higher than the $38,561 average annual salary of a bartender manager.

The top three skills for a bartender manager include customer service, bartending and payroll. The most important skills for a head bartender are customer service, wine, and bartending.

Bartender manager vs head bartender overview

Bartender ManagerHead Bartender
Yearly salary$38,561$89,366
Hourly rate$18.54$42.96
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs96,40834,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

What does a bartender manager do?

Bartender managers are responsible for monitoring the bar's overall operations, ensuring the staff's efficiency in responding to the guests' requests to achieve their highest satisfaction and recommendation. A bartender manager assists with the recruitment and training of new staff and develops effective marketing techniques to boost the bar's image and attract potential customers. Bartender managers also enforce strict sanitary procedures and safety regulations for everyone's compliance to promote a safe environment within the premises.

What does a head bartender do?

A head bartender is responsible for monitoring bar operations, assisting the bar staff, and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction by addressing the guests' needs and concerns. Head bartenders usually mix drinks, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the drink mixing industry, experimenting on the menu, and researching current bar drinks to attract and meet guests' demands. The ultimate goal is to generate more revenues and bar patrons. They also monitor stock inventories, coordinate with the manager to request for supplies, and perform administrative duties as needed.

Bartender manager vs head bartender salary

Bartender managers and head bartenders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bartender ManagerHead Bartender
Average salary$38,561$89,366
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $53,000Between $47,000 And $168,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between bartender manager and head bartender education

There are a few differences between a bartender manager and a head bartender in terms of educational background:

Bartender ManagerHead Bartender
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender manager vs head bartender demographics

Here are the differences between bartender managers' and head bartenders' demographics:

Bartender ManagerHead Bartender
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 40.4% Female, 59.6%Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.9% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bartender manager and head bartender duties and responsibilities

Bartender manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and organize deliveries of excessive wine orders and liquor inventory.
  • Manage daily operations of the front-of-the-house functions in the restaurant, including appearance, presentation, customer experience and professional leadership.
  • Supervise bartending operations and management of staff, scheduling and inventory control.
  • Involve bartending and bar management in a restaurant/bar/live entertainment environment.
  • Complete training through Starbucks to receive certifications.
  • Edit manual for roasting when programs are changed/made.
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Head bartender example responsibilities.

  • Direct bartending operations and manage inventory for the bar area.
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Input data for POS systems, including monthly inventory, and maintaining all POS systems.
  • Certify trainer, responsible for weekly bar inventory for restaurant purchases, highly focuse on upselling.
  • Handle all POS operations, including starting tabs, handling cash, closing the drawer, and accounting for all transactions.
  • Boost revenue significantly by upselling signature drinks.
  • Show more

Bartender manager vs head bartender skills

Common bartender manager skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Craft Beer, 5%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 5%
  • POS, 5%
Common head bartender skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Wine, 18%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 6%
  • Craft Beer, 6%
  • POS, 6%

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