Head Bartender in London

At Sofitel London St James, we redefine luxury by treating a stay as more than just a temporary pause—it's an opportunity for guests to fall in love with a unique blend of refined luxury and playful indulgence. Our commitment to excellence transcends the ordinary, and we invite you to join a team that specialises in transforming stays into enchanting tales.

Situated within the elegant ambiance of Sofitel London St James, our St James Bar embodies French sophistication in the heart of London. Renowned for its innovation and attention to detail, the bar offers an exquisite selection of fine spirits, wines, and handcrafted cocktails. Recognised in May 2026, the bar was awarded a One Pin by The Pinnacle Guide, recognising excellence in its drinks programme, guest experience, and hospitality standards.

As our Head Bartender, you will lead our talented bar team in creating extraordinary guest experiences. With expertise in mixology, you will craft exceptional cocktails while collaborating closely with Bar Management to design an appealing menu of cocktails, wines, and beers. Your role includes maintaining the highest service standards, ensuring cleanliness and safety protocols, and fostering team development through ongoing training and feedback.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspire and lead our bar team to deliver personalised service that surpasses expectations, creating truly unique and memorable experiences for each guest.
• Be fully conversant with the St. James Bar licence laws and ensure that all members are trained and compliant.
• Attend meetings and trainings as required on food and beverage, Health & Safety and pass on any relevant information to your team.
• Create and maintain standards of service that will be in line with the company strategy and policy to achieve excellence.
• Curate and continuously evolve an innovative cocktail menu that is both seasonally inspired and exquisitely crafted.
• Ensure all guests’ checks are correctly posted at the end of each service period on Micros.
• Maximise sales in the department through efficient utility of resources and sound selling techniques.
• Responsible for controlling costs and maximising profit.
• Collaborate with the Bar Manager to assist in achieving our collective goals of revenue growth and sustained profitability.
• Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and organisation within the bar area, adhering to health and safety regulations.
• Mentor and cultivate the skills of our bar team, fostering their growth in both mixology expertise and customer service.
• Assist in implementing sustainability initiatives to minimise the environmental impact of bar operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years' experience in a senior bartender, head bartender, or supervisory bar role within a luxury hotel or high-end hospitality environment.
• Advanced knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wines, beers, and mixology techniques.
• Proven leadership and team development skills.
• Strong understanding of licensing laws, food safety regulations, and best practices in bar operations.
• Experience using POS systems, preferably Micros.
• Exceptional guest service, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

• Competitive compensation package, including service charge and annual bonus.
• Free Stays in the UK or Ireland (4 nights/year).
• Employee Benefit Card – Discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide.
• Exceptional Training and Development Opportunities.
• Global Growth Opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 GP Access.
• Social Events and Activities.

Join us, and you can thrive as an individual as well as being part of a supportive and inclusive team.