Lead Bartender

Forget About Hospitality invites guests to step away from the everyday pace, leave the noise behind, and enjoy being fully present. Designed for New York and rooted in Italian hospitality, the concept centers on high-quality Italian cuisine, a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, and a seamless journey from aperitivo through dinner and after-dinner experiences. The name “Forget About It” reinterprets a classic New York expression as an invitation to let go, savor the moment, and embrace an experience shaped by food, people, and ambiance. Blending Italian identity, an international spirit, and a modern vision of hospitality, Forget About It is an attitude-driven, experience-focused destination. Role Description The Lead Bartender is a full-time, on-site position based in New York City. This role leads the daily execution of bar service while delivering exceptional guest experiences through outstanding hospitality, beverage quality, operational excellence, and teamwork. Working under the direction of the General Manager and Assistant General Manager, the Lead Bartender coordinates the bar team during service, supports training, maintains beverage consistency, and ensures that all bar stations operate efficiently, safely, and according to Company standards. This is a hands-on, guest-facing position. The Lead Bartender remains actively involved in preparing and serving beverages and does not exercise independent managerial authority over hiring, termination, compensation, formal discipline, or leave approvals. The ideal candidate combines extensive cocktail and beverage knowledge with calm operational leadership, attention to detail, genuine hospitality, and the ability to support a high-performing bar team. Key Responsibilities Bar Leadership and Team Support: Lead the daily execution of bar service and maintain a visible, hands-on presence behind the bar. Coordinate workflow, service priorities, stations, preparation, restocking, and side work during assigned shifts. Communicate daily priorities, menu updates, product availability, VIP notes, and service expectations. Train, coach, and support Bartenders, Junior Bartenders, and Barbacks on recipes, service techniques, product knowledge, and Company standards. Provide real-time operational direction during service and communicate performance or conduct concerns to management. Support a respectful, professional, collaborative, and positive work environment. Assist management with operational observations and recommendations without independently making employment decisions. Guest Experience: Welcome guests warmly and deliver polished, attentive, and personalized service. Build genuine relationships with regular guests and create memorable hospitality experiences. Provide knowledgeable recommendations on cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and food pairings. Recognize guest preferences, special occasions, and individual needs. Address guest feedback professionally and involve management when appropriate. Represent the culture, service philosophy, and brand standards of Forget About It. Beverage Preparation and Quality: Prepare classic and house cocktails according to approved recipes, specifications, and presentation standards. Maintain speed, accuracy, consistency, and quality during high-volume service. Ensure correct glassware, ice, garnish, technique, portion, and presentation for every beverage. Oversee the preparation of juices, syrups, infusions, garnishes, batched cocktails, and other bar ingredients. Monitor beverage quality and recipe execution throughout each shift. Maintain complete knowledge of the restaurant’s cocktail, wine, beer, spirits, and food menus. Support the implementation of seasonal cocktails, menu updates, and beverage training. Bar Operations: Coordinate opening, closing, preparation, restocking, cleaning, and shift-transition procedures. Maintain appropriate product and supply levels throughout service. Monitor inventory and communicate ordering or replenishment needs to management. Assist with inventory counts and maintain accurate beverage records. Minimize waste, overpouring, breakage, and product loss through proper handling, portion control, and recipe compliance. Ensure proper labeling, dating, storage, and FIFO product rotation. Maintain clean, organized, sanitized, and fully stocked bar stations and storage areas. Monitor the condition of bar tools and equipment and promptly report maintenance or safety concerns. Accurately operate the POS system and follow all cash, payment, void, discount, and checkout procedures. Compliance and Safety: Verify guest age and identification before serving alcoholic beverages when required. Refuse or discontinue alcohol service when legally required or when signs of intoxication are observed. Follow all New York State alcoholic beverage laws and responsible alcohol-service requirements. Comply with New York City Department of Health sanitation and food-safety standards. Follow Company procedures concerning allergens, cleaning, chemical handling, workplace safety, and emergencies. Immediately report injuries, spills, broken equipment, hazards, or unsafe conditions. Qualifications At least three years of professional bartending experience. Previous experience coordinating service, training colleagues, or acting as a Lead or Head Bartender is strongly preferred. Extensive knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and beverage-service techniques. Strong knowledge of Italian spirits, amari, vermouths, wines, and aperitivo culture is highly beneficial. Strong communication, training, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to coordinate bar service calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Excellent guest-relations skills and a commitment to warm, attentive, and personalized hospitality. Experience with beverage inventory, product rotation, waste control, and POS systems. Professional, positive, and solution-oriented attitude. Formal beverage education, responsible alcohol-service training, or cocktail competition experience is a plus. Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Authorization to work in the United States. Employment type: Full-time, based on business needs. Location: New York City, New York. Compensation: $18.00 per hour, plus tips. This position participates in the Company’s Front of House tip pool, subject to continued legal eligibility and the Company’s written Tip Pool Policy. Tips are additional to the stated hourly wage and may vary based on eligible hours worked and the total tips distributed through the tip pool. Overtime is paid at the legally required rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Eligible employees accrue paid protected time in accordance with applicable New York State and New York City law and Company policy. Estimated opening: end of November 2026. The stated hourly wage reflects the base compensation that Forget About Hospitality reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting. Continued participation in the tip pool depends on the employee’s actual duties remaining non-managerial and focused on guest service. The Lead Bartender may coordinate service, assign stations and side work, train colleagues, and communicate performance concerns, but does not have authority to hire, terminate, set compensation, impose formal discipline, independently approve leave, or make controlling employment recommendations. Physical Requirements This position requires prolonged periods of standing and walking, frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive movement, and the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds. The role involves continuous guest interaction and working in a high-energy environment with exposure to glassware, ice, beverage equipment, liquids, wet surfaces, noise, and temperature changes. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Forget About Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law. #J-18808-Ljbffr