Head Bartender

About the Role

Bludorn, owned and operated by Michelin-starred, James Beard-nominated Chef Aaron Bludorn, is seeking a skilled, passionate, and detail-driven bartender to serve as Head Bartender for our newest restaurant, Bludorn San Antonio, which has not yet opened. This is a rare opportunity to join a pre-opening team, help build the bar program and its standards from the ground up, and lead a bar team as the restaurant establishes itself in a new market.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on craft bartender and natural leader who pairs strong technique with tight operational discipline. You know a spec should be executed the same way on the first round of the night and on the last. You care as much about pars, inventory, and cost as you do about the drink in the glass.

What You'll Do

• Partner with the General Manager on bar pre-opening: opening order, par levels, bar setup, recipe specs, and the bar binder
• Help recruit, interview, and train the opening bar team, setting Bludorn's standards for technique, presentation, and hospitality from day one
• Lead the bar during service by managing flow, ticket times, bartender workload, and guest experience in real time
• Make sure every drink is built to spec, with the correct recipe, technique, glassware, and garnish, every time
• Own ordering and inventory: maintain pars for liquor, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, and supplies; receive and verify deliveries; conduct monthly inventory
• Monitor beverage COGS against budget, and track waste, spills, comps, and over-pouring
• Flag shortages, substitutions, and equipment issues to management before they reach the guest
• Enforce cleanliness, organization, and opening and closing standards across wells, backbar, storage, and refrigeration
• Hold the bar team to uniform and grooming standards
• Coach and give feedback to the team, and run ongoing training to keep execution consistent
• Submit inventory and budget reports accurately and on time each month

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of bartending experience in a craft cocktail, upscale, or fine-dining program
• 1+ years in a Head Bartender, Bar Lead, or similar leadership role
• Experience with a restaurant or bar opening strongly preferred
• Command of classic and modern cocktail technique, spirits categories, and the fundamentals of wine and beer service
• Proven experience with ordering, inventory counts, par management, and beverage cost control
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team while working the well
• Composure, speed, and precision in high-volume service
• Working knowledge of POS and inventory systems
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays, with availability increasing as we approach opening
• TABC and Food Handler certification (or ability to obtain prior to opening)

What We Offer

• Great earning potential: Competitive wages and consistent schedules
• Professional development: Our bartenders do more than make drinks. They contribute to cocktail development, product selection, and ordering, and they act as ambassadors for the spirits and producers they champion.
• Opportunity for growth: We love seeing our colleagues succeed and work hard to promote from within our team!
• Company-sponsored insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Long-Term Disability are available at low rates for you and your family
• Daily family meal at the restaurant: Available to all staff before every service
• Continuous learning and education: Regular in-house trainings on cocktails, spirits, wine, service, and more to help you shine
• Paid vacation: Begin accruing time on your first day that you can use towards vacation
• Dining discount: All our staff are encouraged to dine at Bludorn at an employee rate (we love to take care of our team!)
• Above and Beyond: We work closely with Southern Smoke Foundation (among other groups) and have opportunities for all staff to get involved in the community outside the restaurant

To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief note about your bar experience to [insert email/application link]. We're building our opening team now and will be reaching out to selected candidates for interviews on a rolling basis.

Bludorn is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.