Event Bartender

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is seeking an experienced and guest-focused Event Bartender to support beverage service at special events and on-site activations.

This role involves more than preparing and serving pre-batched alcoholic beverages. Our Event Bartenders participate in the entire event process, including reviewing beverage menus, preparing bar materials, assisting with pre-batching, organizing credentials and drink tickets, setting up bars and back-bar displays, managing inventory, engaging with guests, and completing post-event reconciliation.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in creating an inviting bar experience while maintaining accuracy, cleanliness, organization, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities:

Before Each Event

• Review the event beverage menu, specialty cocktails, service instructions, and projected guest needs.
• Confirm that all liquor, wine, prosecco, beer, mixers, non-alcoholic beverages, garnishes, ice, cups, napkins, gloves, tools, and other bar supplies are available.
• Assist with beverage pre-batching according to recipes and instructions provided by the Event Operations Manager.
• Follow approved recipes, measurements, labeling, storage, and food-safety procedures when preparing pre-batched beverages.
• Review event credential sheets and assist the events team with preparing drink tickets, tokens, coins, wristbands, or other credentials for distribution.
• Treat all credentials, tickets, tokens, and coins as cash equivalents and maintain accurate control of them at all times.
• Inventory event liquor orders upon receipt and report shortages, substitutions, damage, or discrepancies immediately.
• Gather, organize, and pack all bar supplies, equipment, décor, and back-bar shelf items for transportation.
• Verify bar boxes and setup lists before departing for the event.
• Become familiar with the event schedule, venue layout, guest experience, activations, gardens, service areas, and other important event features.
• Learn the featured drinks and be prepared to describe and present them to guests in an appealing and meaningful way.

During Each Event

• Arrive on time, in the required uniform, and be prepared to begin setting up at the scheduled call time.
• Set up the bar, service stations, back-bar shelves, tools, supplies, signage, and décor completely.
• Confirm that every item listed on the event setup sheet or planned bar-box list is present.
• Fill ice chests and properly chill pre-batched beverages, wine, prosecco, mixers, and other required products.
• Prepare clean, attractive, and adequately stocked garnish trays.
• Maintain an organized and visually appealing back-bar display throughout the event.
• Inspect bar equipment and décor and immediately notify the Event Managers of anything broken, missing, damaged, or in need of replacement.
• Prepare and serve drinks accurately, consistently, and efficiently according to approved recipes and portion standards.
• Provide friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable service to every guest.
• Explain featured drinks, ingredients, flavor profiles, and event offerings when appropriate.
• Be knowledgeable about the event as a whole, including the location of activations, restrooms, gardens, exits, and other guest areas.
• Maintain awareness of guests and create a welcoming, memorable experience.
• Keep the bar, service area, back bar, tools, coolers, and surrounding work area clean and orderly.
• Restock ice, beverages, garnishes, cups, napkins, and other supplies before they run out.
• Secure drink tickets, tokens, coins, credentials, and other cash-equivalent items throughout the event.
• Follow all responsible alcohol-service requirements and company policies.
• Monitor guests for signs of intoxication and notify the Event Lead when alcohol service should be slowed, refused, or discontinued.
• Report spills, broken glass, safety concerns, guest incidents, inventory discrepancies, or equipment problems immediately.
• Work cooperatively with event staff, servers, managers, security personnel, and other departments.

After Each Event

• Stop service at the designated time and secure all liquor, credentials, tickets, coins, and bar assets.
• Inventory all remaining liquor, wine, prosecco, beer, pre-batched beverages, and other controlled products.
• Transfer remaining alcoholic beverages to the area for secure storage.
• Record opened, unopened, empty, damaged, missing, or discarded products accurately.
• Clean, sanitize, dry, and organize all bar tools, containers, garnish trays, coolers, and equipment.
• Estimate and document remaining cups.
• Inventory remaining napkins, gloves, straws, dry garnishes, mixers, non-alcoholic beverages, and other disposable supplies.
• Pack all back-bar shelves, display pieces, signs, décor, and service items safely for storage or transportation.
• Reconcile all collected coins, drink tickets, tokens, or other credentials against the event sales report.
• Report any reconciliation difference, missing inventory, breakage, damage, or unusual activity to the Event Managers.
• Assist with complete bar breakdown, loading, transportation preparation, and storage.
• Leave the bar and storage areas clean, organized, and ready for the next event.

Service Standards and Expectations

Successful Event Bartenders are expected to:

• Provide warm, professional, and respectful service.
• Be punctual, dependable, and prepared for every assigned shift.
• Maintain a clean and professional appearance that meets company dress-code standards.
• Follow approved drink recipes and portion-control guidelines.
• Protect liquor, supplies, equipment, credentials, tickets, tokens, coins, and other company assets.
• Treat event credentials and drink tickets with the same care as cash.
• Maintain accurate inventory and promptly report discrepancies.
• Stay informed about the event so they can confidently assist guests.
• Keep the bar clean, stocked, organized, and presentation ready.
• Communicate clearly with managers and fellow team members.
• Accept direction and adjust quickly when event needs change.
• Use good judgment and maintain professionalism during high-volume or stressful situations.
• Follow all alcohol-service, food-safety, workplace-safety, and company policies.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol while working or while responsible for company products and equipment.
• Avoid unauthorized giveaways, substitutions, over-pouring, or complimentary service.
• Limit personal phone use during setup, service, and breakdown except for emergencies or approved business purposes.

Required Qualifications

• Must meet the legal age requirement to serve alcoholic beverages in the state where events are held.
• Must have Off-Premises Alcohol Seller/Server Certificate.
• Previous bartending, beverage-service, catering, restaurant, hospitality, or event experience.
• Working knowledge of standard spirits, wine, beer, cocktail preparation, bar tools, garnishes, and responsible alcohol service.
• Ability to follow recipes and pre-batching instructions accurately.
• Strong guest-service and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational ability.
• Ability to accurately count, inventory, and reconcile products and cash-equivalent credentials.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a team.
• Ability to remain calm, personable, and efficient in a busy event environment.
• Availability to work an event-based schedule, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
• Ability to report reliably to different event locations within the assigned service area.
• Alcohol-service certification as required by state or local law.

Physical Requirements

This position may require the employee to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, reach, lift, carry, push, and pull event supplies and bar equipment.
• Lift and transport liquor cases, beverage containers, ice, coolers, bar boxes, and décor.
• Work in indoor and outdoor event environments.
• Work around crowds, music, changing temperatures, wet surfaces, and active event-production areas.
• Perform repetitive motions associated with pouring, shaking, stirring, opening bottles, and restocking supplies.

Schedule

This is an event-based position. Shifts may include:

• Weekday and weekend events
• Evening and late-night shifts
• Holiday events
• Setup and breakdown time before and after guest service
• Schedule changes based on event attendance, weather, or operational needs

Candidates must be able to arrive at the scheduled call time and remain through the completion of assigned breakdown and reconciliation duties.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.