Head Bartender Distillery

Goodwin Recruiting is a recruitment firm dedicated to pairing talented professionals with rewarding career opportunities. They collaborate with a prestigious, award-winning craft distillery that operates a vibrant tasting room and cocktail bar. This distillery distinguishes itself through its exceptional craft spirits and commitment to outstanding guest experiences. Focused on quality and creativity, the distillery has cultivated a strong local and regional presence in the craft beverage industry, celebrated for innovative cocktail development and engaging hospitality environments.

The craft distillery is seeking a passionate and experienced full-time Bar Lead / Bar Manager to join their growing tasting room and cocktail bar team. This role is ideal for a hospitality-driven beverage professional with a deep enthusiasm for craft spirits, classic cocktails, and delivering elevated service that leaves a memorable impact on guests. The Bar Lead will have a hands-on role within the distillery’s cocktail bar and tasting room, leading daily operations and setting the standard for hospitality, speed, and flawless execution.

In this position, the Bar Lead / Bar Manager will be responsible for preparing and serving high-quality craft cocktails and spirit tastings, running opening and closing duties to maintain cleanliness and readiness, and engaging guests with warm, knowledgeable service. The role demands a person who is not only skilled in mixology but also excels in guest education—sharing stories about the distillery’s products and the craft behind them to enhance the visitor experience. This is a stellar opportunity to be deeply involved in cocktail development, seasonal menu creation, and ongoing recipe refinement, contributing creative ideas and expertise.

Operational duties include managing inventory, maintaining appropriate par levels, prepping the bar, and ensuring that it always remains well-stocked and organized. The candidate will train and support fellow team members on cocktails, service standards, and product knowledge, embodying a leadership mindset that fosters collaboration and professionalism. Compliance with responsible alcohol service, including proper ID verification, is strictly enforced.

Additional responsibilities encompass supporting distillery events such as tours, classes, festivals, and brand activations. This role requires flexibility in working hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during special event schedules. Ideal candidates will bring 2-4 years of bartending or hospitality experience in comparable environments like bars, restaurants, tasting rooms, taprooms, breweries, wineries, or distilleries, with prior leadership experience preferred.

Strong interpersonal skills, a passion for craft cocktails, and a commitment to creating excellent guest experiences are essential attributes. Certification in TIPS, ServSafe, or similar programs is preferred, alongside a professional attitude and enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, dynamic atmosphere. The Bar Lead / Bar Manager position offers a competitive compensation package, eligibility for bonuses, employee discount, flexible hours, and the chance to grow with a celebrated craft beverage brand. This hands-on role provides meaningful opportunities to influence cocktail development, events, and brand growth within a supportive and innovative team environment.