Bartender (Evenings) - Bistro

Cocktail Test Kitchen (CTK) is a new neighborhood cocktail bar opening this fall on West 54th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. At its core, CTK is built around great versions of the classic cocktails people know and love, executed with consistency, precision, and a strong foundation of spirits and cocktail knowledge. Alongside that core menu, a frequently changing selection of limited-run cocktails creates room to explore new ingredients, techniques, and ideas—and gives our bartenders the opportunity to learn and expand their craft. We take the same approach to both: thoughtful drinks, strong fundamentals, and consistent execution. The menu moves. The specs don’t.

The room is intimate, with a 10-seat bar and 16-seat lounge, which puts the bartender at the center of the operation. Guests sit close to the work, and bartenders have the opportunity to guide them through both familiar classics and drinks they may have never encountered before. In a room this small, there is nowhere for hospitality to get lost: knowledge, attention to detail, and genuine engagement with our guests matter just as much as what goes into the glass.

CTK was founded by a team of Eleven Madison Park and Major Food Group alumni, bringing years of experience in some of New York’s most demanding restaurants and bars to a smaller, more personal neighborhood setting. Our approach is simple: Curiosity. Precision. Hospitality. We’re looking for bartenders who know their craft, want to keep learning, care about the details, and understand how to make a small room feel like the best seat in the city.

Position Summary
The Bartender is responsible for the full guest experience at the bar—from hospitality and guest engagement to consistent execution of every drink—as well as the prep and production that supports the program. This is a hands-on role on a very small team: every bartender opens, closes, preps, and works service.
Reports to: Managing Partner, on a daily basis
Core Responsibilities
Service and Guest Experience
Deliver warm, confident, unpretentious hospitality to every guest at the bar and in the lounge
Execute cocktails to spec with consistency and speed across a full service period
Greet guests promptly, read the room, and manage pacing across the bar and lounge seats
Take guest orders, provide choices based on guest taste, and take food orders as needed
Process cash and credit transactions accurately and complete daily checkout procedures
Practice responsible alcohol service and adhere to all NYC and New York State liquor laws
Menu Execution and Prep
Regularly learn and hold new specs as limited-run menu changes; execute the approved build, not a personal variation
Assist in producing infusions, syrups, cordials, and other prep to spec and on schedule
Maintain current, thorough knowledge of the menu and be able to speak to any drink and food item on the list
Operations
Open and close the bar, including full mise en place and end-of-night breakdown
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and DOH compliance across the bar, back bar, and storage areas
Assist with monthly liquor inventory, and flag shortages and par issues to management
Receive and properly stock product; keep the liquor room organized
Maintain glassware, barware, and equipment; report maintenance and POS issues immediately
Support training and staff education as the team grows
Qualifications
Minimum 2 years bartending in a craft cocktail bar or upscale, high-volume restaurant
Minimum 3 years in a service role in a fast-paced hospitality environment
Strong working knowledge of spirits, classic cocktails, wine, and beer
Demonstrated experience with batching and large-format prep
Precision and consistency: able to learn a new spec quickly and hold it under volume
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; a team player in a small room
Composure and accuracy under pressure
Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP) certification, or willingness to obtain.
Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (8+ hours)
Ability to crouch, bend, reach, and lift or move up to 50 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation
Compensation and Benefits

• [$11.35 per hour plus tips / tip pool structure]
• Paid time off
• Growth opportunity: CTK is an opening team, and early hires shape the program with more F&B concepts in the works

To Apply
Apply through Culinary Agents with a resume and a short note on the last drink you built and why.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Cocktail Test Kitchen LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.