Lead Bartender

Lead Bartender Position

The Detroit Foundation Hotel has transformed the historic Detroit Fire Department Headquarters into a 100 room independent hotel that adds another piece to the ongoing Detroit renaissance puzzle. The hotel draws on the Motor City's unparalleled past while proactively moving the city to its next incarnation as a national cultural, business and artistic touch-point. Featuring an inviting ground-floor restaurant, The Apparatus Room, the hotel partners with local distillers, brewers, farmers and other edible sundry purveyors to deliver an authentic Detroit experience. The hotel is managed by Aparium, which was founded in 2011, driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. It is a sophisticated hotel brand known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.

Your past experiences have led you to understand that there is an art + science to creating the perfect concoction. You spend your days or nights working behind the bar tirelessly crafting perfectly balanced drinks, making wine recommendations, and naturally building relationships with guests, which comes natural to you. In your off time your time reading up on spirits, history of cocktails, and cruising the Instagram accounts of the best bars in the world or finding new drink recipes. It is also quite possible you have been learning juggle shakers in front of a mirror. You pride yourself on cultivating your regular guest base and love that you are the face they want to see, whether they are happy and want to celebrate or just need to see a familiar friendly face after a rough day. You are a name that everyone knows in your community. You are welcoming and embody gracious hospitality at all times.

The Lead Bartender reports to the F&B Managers and works in a team environment with other F&B professionals, including barbacks, bartenders, servers, dishwashers, cooks, and chefs. It is critical the person in this position possess a background in advanced bartending techniques, has a natural ability to manage time, and a second-to-none knowledge of beverages and cocktails. As a bartender, you will be responsible for creating memorable guest experiences. You will be responsible for the timely and friendly delivery of food and drinks. In depth menu knowledge is necessary to ensure safe service to guests with allergies and restrictions. Ongoing beverage tasting and training will allow you to expand your knowledge of beer, wine, and spirits and you will also be responsible for creating and hosting these types of classes as well. You will have the ability to collaborate on seasonal menus. All of our service team members are expected to be reliable and responsible. You will arrive changed, polished and mentally ready to work on time. We put an emphasis on treating all of our team members just like we treat our guests- giving a smile, a helping hand, and a willingness to jump in to assist in any situation. You will also actively develop trusting and transparent relationships with your peers on the service team and other associates of the hotel. As a team member within Aparium Hotel Group you will work with a phenomenal group of peers who insist that you are collaborative, humble, experienced, and open-minded no egos are allowed.

Passion for the People, Place and Character of our community, love of Restaurants and Guest Service also required. Minimum of two (2) years' experience as a bartender in either a free-standing or hotel restaurant or bar. TIPS Alcohol service certification and Liquor Card, or ability to obtain such within 30 days of hire. Must meet local age requirements in order to serve alcohol. Available to work a flexible schedule to include nights, weekends and holidays. Fluency in English both verbally and non-verbally.

Continuous standing and walking and negotiating wet tile floor and steps. Fine motor coordination is needed to pour beverages, decorate cocktails and folding napkins. Standing and walking is continuous for 4-5 hours at a time. Lifting and carrying 30 lb. tray, crate or box is occasional. Negotiating varied floor surfaces is continuous. Carrying over shoulder is occasional. Hand and elbow movements for polishing glassware, silver, setting up tables, shacking, pouring and mixing drinks. Excellent sight and balance needed for negotiating varied floor surfaces. Handling lighted candles, and handling hot fluids (coffee and tea). Ability to lift, balance and carry up to 25 lbs. to transport beverage goods inventory, equipment, etc. Ability to lift, balance and carry (with assistance) up to 100 lbs. to transport beverage inventory, equipment, etc. Must be able to work in extreme temperatures like freezers (-10*F) and kitchens (+110*F).