At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Bar Cicoria, creating a vibrant atmosphere and exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join the Royal Opera House, a cultural icon in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, healthcare support, and social events.
- Why this job: Shape a flagship bar with creative freedom and make your mark in hospitality.
- Qualifications: Experience in premium hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 63000 £ per year.
Bar Cicoria is one of the Royal Opera House's most high-profile and exciting bar spaces. A destination for pre-theatre, post-show and late-night guests, it combines Italian style, world-class drinks and the energy of one of London’s most iconic cultural institutions. We are now looking for an exceptional Senior Bar Manager to lead Bar Cicoria into its next chapter. This is not a standard bar role. This is a chance to build and run a flagship bar with serious visibility, scale and creative freedom.
The role
You will own Bar Cicoria end to end, from culture and training through to commercial performance and guest experience. You will be a visible, inspiring leader on the floor, setting standards and building a team that people are proud to be part of. Bar Cicoria is rooted in Italian drinking culture. Aperitivo, vermouth, amaro, spritzes, classic cocktails and thoughtful non-alcoholic options are central to the identity of the bar. A genuine passion for this style of drinking, and the ability to bring it to life for guests and teams, is essential.
What you will do
- You will build, train and mentor a large bar team, creating a culture of excellence, warmth and progression.
- You will run high-volume, high-energy services while maintaining premium standards.
- You will drive sales and profitability through strong labour control, stock management and smart commercial decisions.
- You will work with senior leadership on menus, activations and events to keep Bar Cicoria fresh, relevant and talked about.
- You will lead from the front, especially during peak pre-theatre, interval and late-night trading.
Who you are
- You are already leading or ready to lead a serious bar operation.
- You have a strong background in premium, high-volume hospitality.
- You are known for building strong, loyal teams and developing future managers.
- You are commercially sharp and operationally disciplined.
- You genuinely love drinks culture, especially Italian-style bars, vermouth, aperitivo and classic cocktails.
- You are confident operating in a high-profile environment where standards and reputation matter.
Why this role
Bar Cicoria sits inside one of the most famous cultural venues in the world. You will have the chance to shape a bar that London notices, with the backing, scale and ambition of the Royal Opera House behind you. If you want to lead something distinctive, build a serious team and put your stamp on a destination bar, this is that opportunity.
What’s in it for you?
Working with Company of Cook has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy:
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Senior Bar Manager - Bar Cicoria Royal Opera House, Covent Garden employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bar Manager - Bar Cicoria Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, spend some time at Bar Cicoria. Experience the vibe, the drinks, and the service. This will help you speak authentically about how you can enhance the bar's unique Italian drinking culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! During your interview, share specific examples of how you've built strong teams in high-pressure environments. We want to hear about your mentoring style and how you create a culture of excellence and warmth.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your commercial acumen. Prepare to talk about how you've driven sales and managed stock effectively in previous roles. We love candidates who can think on their feet and make smart decisions that boost profitability.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of the Royal Opera House family and Bar Cicoria's exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bar Manager - Bar Cicoria Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Drinks Culture: Make sure to highlight your genuine love for Italian-style bars and drinks culture in your application. We want to see how you can bring that passion to life at Bar Cicoria!
Be a Storyteller: Use your application to tell us about your journey in hospitality. Share specific examples of how you've built strong teams or led high-energy services. We love a good story!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the unique aspects of this role. Show us how your experience aligns with the exciting challenges at Bar Cicoria.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Drinks
Brush up on your knowledge of Italian drinking culture, especially vermouth, aperitivo, and classic cocktails. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these elements into Bar Cicoria's offerings and create a memorable guest experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to share examples of how you've built and mentored teams in high-volume settings. Highlight your approach to creating a positive bar culture and how you inspire your team to maintain premium standards during busy service times.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Savvy
Be ready to discuss your experience with stock management, labour control, and driving profitability. Think of specific strategies you've implemented in the past that have led to successful outcomes, and be prepared to share them.
✨Engage with the Venue's Identity
Understand the Royal Opera House's brand and how Bar Cicoria fits into its cultural landscape. Be prepared to discuss ideas for events or activations that could keep the bar fresh and relevant, showing your passion for creating a unique guest experience.