Bartender

Bartender | Job Description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

We are always looking for passionate, hospitality-driven, people-persons! Do you want to serve delicious food in a diverse space where you truly be yourself? As a bartender, you will work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, guest-centric environment where we want to see you succeed and ultimately grow, both personally and professionally. If this sounds like the vibe you're looking for, we hope you will apply!

Job Type: VariableOur top bartenders make between $25 and $30 an hour with a guarantee that you will never make less than $18.40 (DC Locations) per hour. Base pay is $10.3 an hour + tips!

The Bartender is responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences by preparing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in a timely, accurate, and responsible manner. This role requires strong product knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to create a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment while maintaining a clean, organized work area while consistently adhering to all health, safety, alcohol service laws, and company policies/standards.

WHY WORK FOR US:
Join a diverse space: 81% of our total workforce identifies as a person of color, 45% of our total workforce identifies as female and 5% of our workforce identifies as a person with disabilities. Our executive team also represents gender diversity, ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and more. Men and women equally represented as well as various cultural and religious backgrounds. We strive to provide an inclusive workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work.
Grow with us: Over 60% of our managers were promoted from within to their existing role from line staff or from Front-of-House manager to Assistant or Acting General Manager. Our entire Executive Team consists of existing employees who showed promise and were promoted into leadership positions.
Work with latest technologies: Striving to be a leader in our industry, we utilize a broad spectrum of technologies including our tech forward training program, employee payroll system, a self-managed tip distribution system, an events and catering platform, inventory management system, our POS Toast and much more!
Happy staff: Busboys and Poets is always looking for the next best way to engage with our staff. This includes raffles, anniversary boxes, an employee dedicated web-based forum and information site.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Set up the bar daily for AM and PM shifts by ensuring all stations are fully stocked, organized, clean, and prepared for service, including liquor, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, ice, glassware, tools, and required supplies.
• Guide guests through the food and beverage menus by demonstrating strong product knowledge, including ingredients, preparation methods, flavor profiles, and pairing suggestions, in order to help guests make informed selections.
• Accurately take and process guest orders while collaborating with fellow tribe members to ensure timely, high-quality food and beverage service.
• Validate guest identification to ensure adherence to minimum age requirements for alcohol service in accordance with applicable ABC regulations and Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) guidelines.
• Prepare and mix alcoholic beverages and coffee drinks, including lattes and signature beverages, following company recipes, quality standards, and established procedures.
• Provide hospitable service with a smile. Excellent customer service starts with a warm, genuine approach and includes greeting every guest within 30 seconds, checking in within the first 3 minutes or 3 bites, and closing out service efficiently by collecting payment while making it a memorable experience.
• Assist in tasks to ensure a clean, sanitized, and safe restaurant including: washing glassware, or other bar utensils/mats, wiping down all surfaces on the bar, behind the bar, inside the refrigerator/coolers, orange juice machine, and liquor bottles. Maintaining cleanliness overall, health and food service regulations behind the bar, at bar tables/sections, and for bar guests.
• Assist host or hostess by answering phones, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests, when needed.
• Assisting guests with placing in-person to-go orders at the bar or kiosk, and taking tables on the floor when bar service is slow or when short staffed.
• Monitor guest alcohol consumption and use sound judgment to ensure safe and compliant alcohol service.
• Accurately enter and continuously update guest orders in the point-of-sale (POS) system, present printed guest checks in a small rocks glass and place it in front of the guest seated at the bar, and process payments accurately and efficiently.
• Handle all cash and credit transactions accurately and responsibly, maintain control of guest checks, and follow company procedures to prevent errors, shortages, and potential walk-outs.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with servers, managers, and the kitchen team to ensure smooth service, including timely communication of 86'd items, menu changes, and food corrections.
• Follow all health, safety, sanitation, and food-handling standards.
• Report any guest concerns, safety issues, or policy violations to management promptly.
• Uphold company culture, values, and standards of professionalism at all times.
• Engage guests in friendly, attentive conversation while maintaining an efficient service bar and avoiding prolonged time at bar tables or with seated guests.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, communicate, place order in the point-of-sale (POS) system and accurately relay guest dietary needs and allergy restrictions to expo/food runner or kitchen manager to ensure guest safety and order accuracy.
• Assist with additional duties and support other departments as needed during service, including stepping in to perform FOH tasks.
• Other duties as needed

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age in order to serve alcohol
• General alcohol knowledge needed
• Previous experience bartending in a full service restaurant for at least a year
• Must work a minimum of 3 full shifts that includes one weekend shift (Saturday/Sunday).
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of hospitality and enjoys engaging with guests in a friendly, professional manner.
• Ability to accurately use a point-of-sale (POS) system for orders and payments
• Must be a team player and able to thrive in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and remain organized.
• Dependable, on time attendance, and able to follow company policies, procedures, and service standards
• Demonstrate the ability to calmly and professionally de-escalate upset or difficult guests while maintaining a safe and positive environment.
• Understanding guest dietary and allergy restrictions.

Physical Requirements:

• Being able to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks.
• Spend time bending, reaching, crawling and/or twisting the body.
• Spend time lifting heavy weight up to 120 pounds (Kegs)
• Spend time lifting heavy weights up to 30 pounds (deliveries/glasses/etc.)
• Spend time standing on feet for long hours.
• Spend time Making Repetitive Motions.
• Spend time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls.
• Spend time Walking.
• Spend time cutting fruit and making batches.

Busboys and Poets is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please note the above listed is intended to describe the general duties, responsibilities, and requirements for performance in this position. It should not be construed as a comprehensive or complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Company reserves the right to amend this job description as it deems necessary.
Busboys and Poets owns and operates 8 multi-concept restaurant, bar, event and bookstore spaces in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Our locations include: 14th & V, 450K, Anacostia, Brookland, Columbia, Hyattsville, Shirlington, and Takoma with more on the horizon!

Pay: $10.30 per hour + Tips

Company Benefits
Busboys and Poets offers competitive pay and benefits including a wide choice of health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, paid parental leave, a company paid life insurance policy, pet insurance and so much more.