Your Checklist for the Perfect Bar Manager Job Description + Template

Hiring new employees as a small business owner takes time, thoughtful planning, and a detailed, organized process. There is much more to hiring than interviewing a candidate and then bringing them on board; understanding bar manager job descriptions is crucial. It’s also crucial to know the ins-and-outs of the role you are hiring for, be able to communicate clear expectations to potential candidates, and be prepared with a structured hiring and onboarding process.

The hiring process should be seamless from start to finish for both you and your potential candidates. That means asking thoughtful questions, establishing a detailed framework for the open position, and being upfront and transparent with your interviewees. In this guide, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the key components of a bar manager role, what to look for in a potential candidate, and what to consider during the interviewing and hiring process.

Bar manager job description: understanding the role of a bar manager.

A bar manager role requires the ability to take on a lot of responsibility and manage various bar manager responsibilities. Bar managers are overseers, which means they must be able to communicate effectively, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and be able to maintain the day-to-day flow of operations with both employees and customers.

Clear and open communication is one of the primary attributes of a good bar manager. In the bar manager’s role, they need to understand and take direction from upper management or corporate employees and translate that to their team. They also must develop strong working relationships with the employees they manage, be able to effectively delegate tasks, and foster a work environment where employees know what to expect in their roles. Good communication applies to the front of the house as well, where bar managers need to be able to create relationships with customers and provide a welcoming, memorable, and pleasant experience for them.

Problem solving is another important consideration when hiring for a bar manager role. Bar and restaurant environments are fast-paced and new problems are always arising, whether small or large. An ideal bar manager candidate should be able to step into the driver’s seat to resolve conflict, assist customers, and make on-the-spot decisions that are best for both staff and customers alike.

Because a bar manager position involves many different responsibilities, organizational skills are also a must. Bar managers are not only responsible for day-to-day operations within the bar, but they also take on hiring, training, promoting, creating schedules, and managing payroll. With so many tasks at hand, someone who can be organized and keep a level head are important qualities in the right bar manager.

Let’s not forget one of the most important attributes of a good bar manager—interpersonal and customer service skills. It’s up to a bar manager to maintain a safe and organized environment, but also to encourage fun, positivity, and create an enjoyable experience for both staff and customers. Someone who can bring an uplifting spirit to the role is important to look for as well.

What to think about when hiring.

Now that you know what type of candidate would be a perfect match for a bar manager role, you can dive into the key elements of the hiring process. Each candidate you consider will come from different backgrounds, cultures, and have unique personalities and experiences. Look for candidates who not only have the skills and knowledge to be successful in the role, but also those who can showcase these in a well-crafted bar manager resume. Using a bar manager job description template can help attract qualified candidates by clearly outlining the responsibilities and qualifications needed for the position. There are several different things to think about when hiring for a bar or restaurant environment, especially in bar management.

Where to find the right candidates.

Most of the time, you won’t find that there is a shortage of qualified candidates in the job market looking for a company just like yours, especially if you are seeking an experienced bar manager, and there are hundreds of places you can look to find these candidates. However, it may take some trial and error to figure out which places will help you find the right person for the role. Some of these avenues will be best suited to an open bar manager position while others might not. A few of the most popular options include online job boards and websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, ZipRecruiter, and Google for Jobs. You might even consider partnering with a recruiter to help you search for the perfect fit if you are able to.

Provide an ideal workplace environment.

An ideal workplace environment is one of the key components job seekers consider when they are looking for work, and a business culture match has become a top priority. In fact, Millennials prioritize ‘people and culture fit’ above everything else when evaluating companies, and 86% of job seekers avoid companies with a bad reputation. The primary reasons candidates decide to work for a company include good work/life balance, a sense of meaning and purpose, a flexible structure, and a positive, welcoming work environment. It’s important that you take into account these factors when assessing your own workplace, as well as how you can apply that to your hiring process.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is also an important aspect of a healthy and ideal workplace environment. In today’s workforce, DEI is considered to be an extremely important responsibility of business owners to ensure they not only diversify their teams, but they also create a welcoming and inclusive space and provide equitable opportunities to all employees. On the grander scale, DEI also helps businesses increase productivity, job satisfaction, innovation, and increased profits.

DEI should be applied to all aspects of your business, including recruiting and hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing employment. You should regularly review your job postings to look for any biases and use inclusive language. It’s also important to get feedback from your current employees, including bar staff, about their experiences working for your business.

Take your time.

As much as you might like the hiring process to be quick and simple, the truth is that it takes time. Whether that’s because you have many candidates to sift through or you’re just not finding the perfect fit right away, that’s okay! It’s important to give yourself ample time to find the right candidate for the position as you will need to be able to rely on them to keep your bar or restaurant running smoothly in all aspects. You don’t want to rush into filling the position just to fill it—you’ll end up wasting your time, their time, and everyone else’s time. So don’t be afraid to be thoughtful throughout the hiring process and be sure you’re making the right call.

To ease the burden a bit during that time, there are great automated tools that can help you hire and onboard employees easily and manage administrative tasks in one place. This includes posting jobs to online job boards, tracking applicants, and scheduling interviews.

Questions to ask in an interview.

The key to a good interview is asking the right questions to identify an effective bar manager. This will help you learn everything you need to know about the candidate—their soft skills, hard skills, personality, and background. There are several different categories to consider when asking questions in an interview.

Background and personality

Tell us a bit about yourself, interests, background, and what led you to work in this industry?
How would your friends and coworkers describe you as a person?
What is something you’ve achieved in your life that you’re really proud of?
What’s one fact about you that isn’t on your LinkedIn profile/resume?

Work experience

Tell us about your work background in the hospitality industry and how it applies to this position.
What was your primary contribution at your most recent job?
Was there an experience where you faced a big challenge, and how did you overcome it?
What was the most interesting project you worked on?

The open bar manager position

What compelled you to apply for this position?
What unique areas of expertise do you have that make you the right candidate for this position?
What would you say is your strongest attribute as an employee?
How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time during busy shifts?
How do you communicate with staff and customers most effectively?

Goals and aspirations

What are your career path interests?
What are your long-term professional and personal goals?
How does working at this company fit in with your long-term goals?
How do you see this bar manager position contributing to your career growth?

Bar manager duties and responsibilities: job description template.

In addition to a candidate’s personality, organization, work ethic, leadership, and communication skills, a day-in-the-life of a bar manager also requires these skill- and knowledge-based tasks in order to be successful in the position, especially in restaurant management.

Is punctual and manages working time efficiently
Has the ability to multitask in a busy working environment
Can manage supplies, equipment, and inventory safely and properly
Monitor and manage finances
Can help keep all workflows running smoothly, including kitchen, bar, front staff, and dining
Able to manage customers and resolve issues efficiently
Follows food and drink safety procedures and health codes
Able to maintain a clean, safe, and entertaining atmosphere
Close attention to detail in shift scheduling, taking stock, and making orders
Oversee the staff to ensure they are following proper guidelines
Equip employees with the proper training materials and resources
Manage liquor and wine inventory and develop drink menus
Prepare specialty drinks, customizing them to order while maintaining efficiency
Educate customers on the drinks menu, making recommendations based on their preferences, and up-selling special items to ensure an excellent drinking experience

How Homebase helps you manage your hiring.

Hiring a new employee as a small business owner is a big job and takes a lot of careful consideration. But when it’s time to jump in and start the hiring process, there are free hiring and onboarding tools like Homebase that help you post jobs, track applicants, and onboard new employees all in one place. There is an extensive library of pre-written, customized job descriptions that helps you reach your applicants faster. Plus, you can post and promote your jobs to online job boards directly from the mobile app.

Homebase takes the headache out of hiring by helping you identify the best candidates, message candidates and schedule interviews, and get them up and running with the materials they need to succeed.

Ready to hire? Get started for free today.