How to hire a head bartender

How to hire a head bartender, step by step

Here's a step-by-step head 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 head bartender job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new head 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 head bartender you need to hire. Certain head 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a head bartender to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a head bartender that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of head bartenders and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Head Bartender	Description	Hourly rate
   Head Bartender	Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.	$22-80
   Bar Manager	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... Show more	$15-31
   Bar Manager/Bartender	A bar manager/bartender is responsible for handling daily bar operations to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Bar manager/bartenders often interact with guests, responding to their inquiries and special requests, and immediately resolving service complaints... Show more	$8-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Wine
   • Bartending
   • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
   • Craft Beer
   • POS
   • Fine Dining
   • Drink Orders
   • Inventory Control
   • Customer Complaints
   • Guest Satisfaction
   • Beverage Orders
   • Serving Drinks
   • Liquor Inventory

   Check all skills

   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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your head bartender job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A head bartender salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, head bartenders' average salary in alaska is 61% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level head bartenders earn 72% less than senior-level head bartenders.
   • Certifications. A head bartender with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a head bartender's salary.

   Average head bartender salary

   $89,366yearly

   $42.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level head bartender salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a head bartender job description

   A good head bartender job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a head bartender job description:

   Head bartender job description example

   Job DescriptionPrepares all alcoholic beverages for guests and venue servers. Actively takes orders, conducts full and complete food/beverage service, and monitors guests’ bar/dining experience. Interacts with the bar guests, employees, and supervisors in a polite and courteous manner to ensure gracious hospitality.
   Duties and Responsibilities: including but not limited to
   
   Maintain professional appearance standards as directed in the Tao Group Hospitality Employee Handbook. Anticipate and accommodate the needs of the guests. Provides professional and exceptional service. Demonstrates beverage preparation knowledge, dexterity, leadership, and organization. Participation and input towards maintaining operational systems such as well set up guides, batching recipes, and opening/closing checklists. Responsible for executing the training and development of new bartenders and barbacks as outlined in the employee training manual. Coordinates with management and Beverage department to maintain company standards. Participation and input towards recipe development with beverage team. Responsible for submitting weekly operations review form to all managers and beverage team. Maintain general cleanliness of bar and bar area, and the entire venue. Makes sure all liquor displays and shelving are organized, and par levels are maintained. Follow supervisor’s instructions, communicate with and support co-workers, be a team player. Possesses in-depth knowledge of all food and beverage menus and the company. Serves all alcoholic beverages in accordance with all state regulations and alcohol awareness training standards. Complies with Department of Health and company sanitation standards. Accurately completes all end-of-shift financial procedures. Properly sets-up the bar stations, performs side-work and other opening/closing procedures as directed by management, including: Reports all breakage, damage of equipment or furniture immediately to management. Attends and participates in daily pre-service meetings. Attends and participates in any training sessions or departmental meetings. Learn by listening, observing other team members and sharing knowledge while leading by example. Demonstrates knowledge of Tao Group Hospitality, its partners and supporting hotel environments. Training Requirements:
   
   Tao Group Hospitality in-venue bartender training, Alcohol Awareness Certification, Food Handling Certificate. Minimum Education and Qualifications:
   
   1-2 years of professional beverage experience. Previous bartending experience. Experience in a high-volume restaurant/nightclub/loun Physical Demands and Work Environment:
   
   Must be able to stand, lift and bend for extended periods of time. Must be able to bend and lift to 50 lbs. Role may include job duties or tasks requiring repetitive motion. Exposure to hot kitchen elements or cleaning materials. Must be able to work and remain focused in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. Ability to work a flexible schedule inclusive of varying shifts such as days, evenings, weekends and holidays If you are hired, we will require proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or that you have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.
   
   This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. Tao Group Hospitality reserves the right to make changes in the above job description and all other duties assigned. Nothing herein shall restrict Tao Group Hospitality management’s right to assign or reassign tasks, duties, or responsibilities to this job at any time.
   
   Tao Group Hospitality delivers distinctive culinary and premium entertainment experiences through its portfolio of restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, and daylife venues. Tao Group Hospitality acquired Hakkasan Group in April 2021. The combined company operates more than 60 entertainment dining and nightlife venues in over 20 markets across five continents and features a collection of widely recognized hospitality brands. These include TAO, Hakkasan, OMNIA, Marquee, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Avenue, Cathédrale, Wet Republic, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, Sake no Hana, Casa Calavera, Jewel, Little Sister, and more. Tao Group Hospitality is part of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) (NYSE: MSGE), a leader in live experiences
   
   US Candidates Only
   
   Tao Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right head bartender for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with head bartenders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit head bartenders who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with head bartender candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 head bartender

   Once you've found the head bartender candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new head bartender first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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