At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional service, take orders, and engage with guests in a vibrant bar setting.
- Company: Dakota Hotel, a stylish lifestyle brand with a focus on guest experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, mental health support, meals on duty, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a top-rated employer with great career growth and a positive team culture.
- Why this job: Perfect for students seeking flexible hours and a fun work environment on weekends.
- Qualifications: 1 year of hospitality experience and excellent communication skills required.
Dakota Hotel based in Leeds City Centre are seeking an outgoing individual with waiting experience for the role of Bar Waiter / Waitress to deliver exceptional service to our guests. Working part-time, predominantly Friday and Saturday nights, this role is ideal for students and those with weekday commitments.
Estimated start date: 27th January 2026
CONTRACT AND PAY RATE
The role carries a permanent contract of a minimum of 16 hours per week and typical shifts will ve 16:00-00:30, working any 2 days out of 7 including weekends. Earnings are £13.30 per hour (inclusive of the anticipated tronc payment), paid weekly.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Working within the Bar, provide table service, taking guest orders, and running trays of food and drinks to guest tables.
- Provide the highest levels of guest service, offering personalised drinks recommendations and making genuine conversation to get to know our guests.
- Work closely with the Restaurant and Reception team to ensure the effective flow of communication.
- To have a comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage menu options to be able to offer guests recommendations, including understanding the allergens present.
BENEFITS
In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:
- 40 per cent off stays at any Dakota
- 25 per cent off drinks and dining at any Dakota
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes
· free private mental health support and counselling sessions
· video GP consultations and private prescription services
· access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
- Access to discounted gift card platform
- Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
- Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment.
- Family-friendly flexible working options
- Meals on duty and uniforming
- £150 bonus to recommend a friend to join our team
- £10 bonus every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
- Free bi-annual eye testing for users of display screen equipment
- Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment such as in Food Hygiene, Alcohol Responsibility, Data Protection, and Health & Safety
- Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
- Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
- Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships
Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand with six locations, soon growing to seven. We are known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills, upscale wine & cocktail Bars, and above all, our team.
Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle (and more in the pipeline!).
Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards with colleagues who are, quite simply, great to work alongside! Our team members are not just recruited due to their skills and experience, but also due to their individualities and flair. We believe that recruiting team members who’s personalities embody our culture and have an enthusiastic attitude is the key to creating a great place to be, for both our team and our guests.
Our brand has been voted within the top 15 hospitality employers of the year for the past three years, and our HR Team won ‘People Team of the Year’ 2022, so we must be doing something right! We are driven to be our best selves, with learning, development and internal progression opportunities being at the core of how we keep our team motivated.
Our location, 8 Russell St, Leeds LS1 5RN, ideally located on Greek Street, we are just a 5min walk from Leeds Train Station. We are also easily accessible by bus, close to the east parade bus link and within a 10min walk from Leeds Bus Station.
We are an 94-bedroom luxury hotel boasting a destination cocktail bar with a champagne room, and brasserie-style Grill.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will have/be:
- At least 1 year working experience, ideally in a hospitality environment.
- Having previous waiting or coffee shop experience is strongly preferred.
- Be an outgoing personality with effective communication skills.
- Ability to work at pace and be physically active for the duration of your shift.
- Willing and able to pour, serve and sell alcohol.
- Be able to be physically active in your role, standing for much of your shift and working at pace.
- An enthusiastic individual who will promote our culture of positivity.
- Be task oriented with a great pride for the work they do and attention to detail.
- Flexible with shift patterns and available around the needs of our business.
- Successful candidates must demonstrate having researched our brand and a genuine desire to be part of our team.
APPLY
Please send us your up to date CV.
Visit our Careers page to learn about current opportunities and find your #DreamRolesAtDakota – we’d love to hear from you!
For more information on our luxury hotel, please visit our:
Bar Waiter/Waitress - Part Time in Leeds employer: Dakota Leeds
Dakota Hotel in Leeds City Centre is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises positivity and professional development. With benefits such as generous discounts on stays and dining, access to mental health support, and opportunities for ongoing training, Dakota fosters an environment where team members can thrive and grow. The hotel's commitment to high standards of service and employee well-being makes it an ideal workplace for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bar Waiter/Waitress - Part Time in Leeds
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Dakota Leeds and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Bar Waiter/Waitress - Part Time in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Dakota Leeds that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Dakota Leeds.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Dakota Leeds get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dakota Leeds
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Dakota Leeds and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
