Lead Bartender / Mixologist (Barista Experience a Plus)

Location: Fulton Market, Chicago

Pay: $19.00/hour + tips

Schedule: Tuesday–Thursday | 1:00 PM–8:00 PM (longer hours depending on events)

Additional Availability: Applicants must be available to work Mondays and Fridays as needed for private tenant events, catered functions, event preparation, and as our hospitality program continues to grow. While Monday and Friday are not part of the regular weekly schedule, flexibility for these days is required.

Create Experiences. Not Just Cocktails.

Infuse Hospitality is seeking an experienced, creative Lead Bartender / Mixologist to own and grow the beverage program inside a beautiful private tenant amenity space located in one of Fulton Market's premier Class A office buildings.

This is not a traditional restaurant or neighborhood bar.

Our space is exclusively available to building tenants and serves as a premium hospitality destination for daily café service, happy hours, networking events, and private corporate functions. As the Lead Bartender, you'll have the opportunity to create an elevated beverage experience while operating the bar independently. We're looking for someone who thrives on creativity, takes pride in exceptional hospitality, and enjoys introducing new cocktails, seasonal features, and memorable experiences that keep guests coming back.

If you're someone who's always thinking about your next signature cocktail, loves experimenting with flavors, spirits, and presentation, and wants the freedom to bring your ideas to life, we'd love to meet you.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Beautiful private tenant amenity space in a premier Fulton Market office building
• Exclusive tenant-only hospitality environment
• Lead and grow an evolving beverage program with significant creative freedom
• Create signature cocktails, seasonal menus, beverage pairings, and specialty features
• Frequent corporate happy hours, networking receptions, private events, and building activations
• Collaborate with leadership to create custom beverage experiences for corporate clients
• Corporate hospitality schedule — no late nights, weekends, or holiday shifts
• Work-life balance that's nearly impossible to find in the hospitality industry
• Competitive hourly pay plus tips
• Supportive team with opportunities for growth

Responsibilities

• Independently open, operate, and close the bar each day
• Lead all daily bar operations while delivering an exceptional hospitality experience
• Create handcrafted cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, and specialty beverages with consistency and attention to detail
• Develop rotating cocktail menus, seasonal features, signature drinks, and creative promotions that keep the beverage program fresh and exciting
• Design custom cocktails and beverage packages for tenant happy hours, networking events, corporate receptions, and private functions
• Recommend beverage pairings with light bites and catered menus
• Build relationships with regular tenants and create a hospitality experience that keeps them coming back
• Set up and execute beverage service for private events and catered functions
• Assist in planning and preparing for tenant events, including arriving early when needed for event setup, batching cocktails, prepping garnishes, and staging the bar
• Maintain inventory, monitor stock levels, recommend ordering needs, and keep the bar organized and fully stocked
• Prepare and serve light bar bites, including heating and plating according to company standards
• Occasionally prepare handcrafted espresso beverages during overlap with the morning barista or when working independently. Previous barista experience is a plus, but we are happy to train the right candidate.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and polished café and bar environment throughout each shift
• Accurately process guest orders and payments
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and responsible alcohol service standards

What We're Looking For

We're searching for someone who brings creativity, confidence, professionalism, and leadership behind the bar.

Our ideal candidate:

• Has at least 3 years of bartending and mixology experience
• Can confidently manage the entire bar independently from open to close
• Has experience creating cocktail menus and seasonal beverage specials
• Loves experimenting with new ingredients, house-made syrups, garnishes, and presentation
• Understands flavor profiles, wine, spirits, craft cocktails, and beverage pairings
• Takes pride in providing polished hospitality and building relationships with repeat guests
• Is dependable, organized, self-motivated, and thrives working independently
• Brings fresh ideas and enjoys creating memorable guest experiences
• Is excited to help build and grow a unique hospitality program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of bartending experience required
• Craft cocktail and mixology experience strongly preferred
• Experience creating cocktail menus and seasonal beverage programs preferred
• Ability to independently operate and manage a full-service bar
• Previous barista experience is a plus, but we're happy to train the right candidate
• Previous café or light kitchen experience is a plus
• Excellent communication and guest service skills
• Strong organizational and inventory management skills
• Ability to multitask while maintaining exceptional hospitality standards
• Food Handler Certification and Illinois BASSET Certification are required, or candidates must be willing to obtain both certifications within the first 30 days of employment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Frequently lift and carry up to 30 pounds
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable working around espresso machines, refrigeration, hot equipment, and bar equipment

Join Our Team

Join Phoenix3 and Infuse Hospitality as we continue to grow innovative hospitality programs across the country. If you're passionate about hospitality, creativity, and delivering exceptional guest experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Infuse Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and team members regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic protected under applicable law.