Bar Lead

Bar Lead Craft Distillery Tasting Room

Are you an experienced bartender or bar leader who loves craft cocktails, guest engagement, and the art of creating a memorable hospitality experience?

An award-winning craft distillery is seeking a full-time Bar Lead / Bar Manager to join its growing Tasting Room Cocktail Bar. This is a great opportunity for a hospitality-driven beverage professional who is passionate about craft spirits, classic cocktails, cocktail development, and delivering an elevated guest experience.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can lead by example during service, support bar operations, educate guests, contribute creative cocktail ideas, and represent a growing craft beverage brand with professionalism and pride.

Bar Lead What You'll Do:

• Lead bar service during scheduled shifts while setting the standard for hospitality, professionalism, and execution
• Prepare and serve craft cocktails, spirits, tastings, and other beverages with consistency, accuracy, speed, and attention to presentation
• Manage opening and closing procedures, including setup, breakdown, cleanliness, organization, stocking, and service readiness
• Provide knowledgeable, warm, and engaging service to tasting room guests, regulars, private event guests, and first-time visitors
• Educate guests on craft spirits, cocktail ingredients, tasting notes, product details, and the unique aspects of craft distillery operations
• Assist with tours, guided tastings, cocktail classes, private events, pop-ups, off-site events, festivals, and brand activations
• Make thoughtful recommendations based on guest tastes, preferences, and interest level
• Support cocktail menu development, seasonal drink ideas, recipe consistency, and beverage program improvements
• Assist with inventory updates, stocking, prep lists, par levels, product rotation, and bar supply needs
• Help maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, stocked, and organized bar environment
• Communicate effectively with management and team members regarding guest feedback, service flow, inventory needs, and operational opportunities
• Help train team members on cocktails, spirits, service standards, product knowledge, responsible alcohol service, and guest engagement
• Check customer identification and ensure compliance with legal drinking age requirements
• Monitor guest alcohol intake and follow responsible alcohol service standards
• Support occasional bottling, packaging, production, or other distillery-related duties as needed

Bar Lead What We're Looking For:

• 2 to 4 years of bartending, craft cocktail, bar, restaurant, tasting room, taproom, distillery, brewery, winery, or hospitality experience
• Previous experience as a Bar Lead, Lead Bartender, Senior Bartender, Head Bartender, Bar Manager, Assistant Bar Manager, Beverage Lead, or similar role preferred
• Strong knowledge of spirits, classic cocktails, craft cocktails, drink building, ingredients, flavor profiles, and bar service standards
• Passion for craft spirits, cocktail development, guest education, and hospitality
• Experience with private events, pop-ups, off-site events, tastings, cocktail classes, festivals, or brand activations is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and create a positive guest experience
• Ability to lead by example, support team members, and maintain high standards during service
• Self-starter who is organized, reliable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a growing small-company environment
• Experience with opening/closing procedures, inventory, par levels, stocking, prep, recipe consistency, and bar organization preferred
• Positive attitude, mature judgment, professionalism, and strong guest service instincts
• Availability to work nights, weekends, holidays, events, and flexible shifts as business needs require
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform hands-on bar and service duties
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• TIPS certification, responsible alcohol service certification, ServSafe, food handler certification, or similar credentials preferred

Bar Lead What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Bonus eligible
• Employee discount
• Flexible hours
• Additional benefits available
• Opportunity to grow with an award-winning craft beverage brand
• Hands-on role with room to contribute to cocktail development, events, guest experience, and brand growth

About the Role:

This is an in-person, full-time role in a craft distillery tasting room and cocktail bar environment.

Apply today if you are a hospitality-minded bar professional who is ready to bring craft cocktail knowledge, leadership, creativity, and genuine guest engagement to a growing beverage brand.

Goodwin Recruiting is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to our core values and helping our clients and candidates find the right long-term fit