Lead Bartender

Lead Bartender

Diego, Chicago

459 North Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL Full Time • Hourly ($35.00 - $50.00) plus tips Expires: Aug 21, 2026

Looking for Server/Bartender at DIEGO! - FULL AVAILABILITY, MUST BE ABLE TO WORK SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

This position requires rotating server and bartending shifts

3 years bartending experience minimum required, high volume experience preferred

Part time and full time available

The team behind Sueños at SOHO and Trino Steakhouse — the Baja-Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar from Executive Chef Stephen Sandoval, Diego. Located at 459 N Ogden Ave (the former G&O space). The bar is named after Chef Sandoval's hometown of San Diego, and offers a nod to the bordering Tijuana, where his love for street food was born.

Your role: As a front of house team member at DIEGO: We are looking for someone that can be strong bartender and server, with the flexibility to rotate positions. We are a pooled tip house, where servers and bartenders make the same tip and hourly rate, our server/bartenders average $35-$50+ an hour, and we are going into high-volume patio season. Diego is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9pm, and Friday 4pm-2am through Sunday 11am-2am, and Sundays 11am-9pm. CLOSED MONDAYS. Rotating weekends/Sundays/brunch shifts are mandatory. Brunch is 11am-3pm, and very busy! We also feature Asada Sundays in the evenings throughout the summer, collaborating with other chefs throughout Chicago

The front of house team at Diego ensures that guests have a pleasant and memorable dining experience. They are the first and last face the guests interact with and will be their "go-to" person throughout their experience. Our server/bartender team will eloquently introduce the concept of Diego, and will educate themselves on the dietary restrictions and celebrations of their guests. Diego servers-bartenders also act as a liaison between the culinary team and server assistants to make sure the dance of food and service are properly executed.

Qualities and skills we are looking for: Servers and bartenders

• Strong food and spirit knowledge
• 3-5 years of experience in hospitality
• 1 or more years of high volume bartending experience preferred
• Knowledge of relevant software programs like Toast, Sevenrooms are a plus
• Skilled in time management and multitasking
• Strong and efficient communication skills to efficiently communicate with BOH/FOH
• A sociable, open, attentive and positive personality, with the ability to maintain composure
• Self determined deliver quality service and motivate others
• Willingness to work through conflict and mistakes with a desire to be a better professional and better team member for your team. As a pool house, it is important everyone is pulling their share of opening and closing responsibilities, setting up the next shift for success.

Some of the responsibilities to be expected:

• Arrive for scheduled shift on time.
• Prepare dining room, service station and trays according to service standards.
• Set up the bar and mise en place for cocktails preparation.
• Ability to follow opening and closing checklists
• Ability to follow recipes for all cocktails, no free-pouring is allowed, as consistency across all bartenders is vital importance so that every guests experiences the same drink, regardless of who is working.
• Maintain knowledge of current menu items and beverage offerings.
• Ensure high standards of personal presentation and grooming.
• Greet and welcome guests in a prompt and courteous manner using names when possible.
• Establish rapport with guests to build loyalty and gather constructive feedback for guest satisfaction.
• Abide by Diego standards for service and cleanliness.
• Upsell cocktails, wine selections and menu options according to guest preferences.
• Enter orders through the POS Toast system and fire courses with correct timing.
• Clear and return food and beverage items to the proper area.
• Clean and properly mark tables between courses.
• Converse with guests using polished and professional language.
• Completes daily responsibilities and can adapt to changing priorities.
• Work as a team to ensure the restaurant achieves its full potential.
• Keep work areas tidy and well organized.
• Escalate any guest concerns with the Bar Manager and/or Managing Partner
• Communicate with the kitchen regarding any dietary restrictions, wait times and menu questions.
• Apply service techniques consistently and with enthusiasm.
• Attends training sessions and meetings as required.

Compensation: Hourly ($35.00 - $50.00) plus tips

Required skills: Customer service, customer service orientation, can lift up to 50 lbs, team collaboration, POS systems, adaptability to high pressure environments, service procedures, attention to detail