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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the bar, create amazing drinks, and inspire your team in a fun environment.
- Company: Draughts, a unique venue blending hospitality with board games.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, free food, employee discounts, and a company pension.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and shape the future of experiential hospitality.
- Qualifications: Experience in bar management, menu design, and stock control.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with plenty of games and growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Draughts is a trailblazer in experiential hospitality, redefining board games for a modern audience. Our mission is to entertain our customers with amazing food and drink whilst providing a healthy balance between the analogue and digital world. We do this by creating welcoming spaces that encourage people to be present and connect with each other, playing any of the 1000 unique board games on our shelves. Our venues are uniquely designed to provide the perfect intimate atmosphere to enjoy our great service, food and drinks and games experience.
Purpose
As Head Bartender at Draughts, you lead the bar with confidence, creativity and care. You are responsible for ensuring every drink reflects our standards for quality, consistency and presentation. You set the tone behind the bar, keeping service smooth, the atmosphere upbeat, and the team motivated. You take ownership of bar operations, menu development, and stock management, supporting the General Manager in delivering both strong results and a memorable guest experience.
What You Will Do
- You will set the standard behind the bar. Whether shaking cocktails, serving guests with genuine warmth, or guiding your team through a busy service, you are consistent, calm and attentive.
- You will take full ownership of ensuring the bar is well-stocked, organised and ready for service, with every product served to spec and to a high standard.
- You will take the lead on menu creation and development, designing drinks that fit Draughts' identity while driving profitability.
- You will manage supplier relationships, cost new products, and ensure recipes are tested, documented and rolled out consistently across the team.
- You will own bar stock from end to end by managing orders, deliveries, counts and wastage, maintaining strong cost control while ensuring quality never slips.
- You will train, coach and inspire your team to deliver great service and take pride in what they create.
- You will champion the guest experience, taking pride in quick service, presentation and engagement.
- You will also support the General Manager in delivering new initiatives, maintaining compliance, and helping to create a space that feels both professional and fun.
What We Are Looking For
- You are approachable, steady and confident under pressure.
- You combine creativity with discipline and you’re able to craft great drinks while keeping service efficient and consistent.
- You have experience running a busy bar, designing menus and managing stock from start to finish.
- You care deeply about people, both guests and your team, and know how to motivate others through respect and example.
- You are commercially aware and understand how to balance creativity with profitability.
- You bring a sense of ownership to everything you do, keeping your bar sharp, your team motivated and your menu fresh.
- You stay composed when it gets busy and see every challenge as a chance to improve.
- Above all, you bring warmth, consistency and professionalism to every shift.
What You Get
At Draughts, you are part of a team that values creativity, curiosity and connection. We are a growing brand with big ideas, and you will have the chance to shape how we evolve. You will be supported in your development, encouraged to bring ideas to the table, and surrounded by people who care about what they do. We work hard, we learn together and we have a lot of fun doing it. And yes, there are always games. Lots of games.
Pay £16.50 - £17.00 OTE
Job Type Full-time
Benefits Company pension, Discounted or free food, Employee discount
Head Bartender employer: Draughts
Contact Detail:
Draughts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Bartender
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop into Draughts and soak up the atmosphere. Familiarise yourself with the menu and the games on offer. This shows you’re genuinely interested and gives you a chance to chat with staff about their experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When discussing your ideas for new cocktails or bar concepts, be ready to share some unique drink recipes or themes that fit Draughts' vibe. We love seeing how you can blend fun with professionalism!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to demonstrate your skills! If possible, bring along a few tricks up your sleeve. Whether it’s a cocktail shake-off or a mock service scenario, showing us your bartending prowess can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Connect with us online! Follow Draughts on social media and engage with our posts. It’s a great way to stay updated on what we’re doing and can give you talking points during your interview. Plus, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Bartender
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to inject a bit of creativity and warmth into your words. Remember, we’re all about connection and fun at Draughts!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in bartending and menu creation. We love seeing how you've led teams and crafted drinks that wow guests. Tailoring your application to reflect our mission will definitely catch our eye!
Be Clear and Concise: While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points if it helps, and make sure to showcase your skills and achievements without rambling on.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our amazing team at Draughts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Draughts
✨Know Your Cocktails
As a Head Bartender, you’ll need to impress with your cocktail knowledge. Brush up on classic recipes and be ready to discuss your own creations. Think about how your drinks can reflect Draughts' unique identity and be prepared to share ideas for new menu items.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Draughts is looking for someone who can motivate a team. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led a bar team in the past. Highlight your experience in training staff and creating a positive atmosphere, as this will show you can set the right tone behind the bar.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Focus
Customer experience is key at Draughts. Prepare to discuss how you’ve gone above and beyond to ensure guests have a memorable time. Share specific stories that showcase your ability to engage with customers and create a welcoming environment.
✨Be Ready to Talk Numbers
Understanding stock management and profitability is crucial for this role. Familiarise yourself with cost control strategies and be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed stock effectively in previous positions. This will show that you can balance creativity with commercial awareness.
