At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Ritorno Lounge, build teams, and deliver exceptional hospitality.
- Company: Join Loungers, the Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026!
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, free meals, and 50% off food and drinks.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with genuine career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of the community and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management and a passion for team building.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 36000 £ per year.
We're hiring a full-time General Manager to lead our flagship Lounge: Ritorno Lounge! Part of Loungers, proudly named Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026. With competitive salary, plus bonus, paid overtime, and real progression opportunities, this is a great next step for an experienced hospitality general manager or assistant general manager to run Lounges flagship location!
About the General Manager Role
Lounges are pretty special places, and what makes them so special is the brilliant people who run them. As General Manager you'll lead Ritorno Lounge. You'll be a hands-on hospitality General Manager who loves building teams, delivering great hospitality, and running a business like it's their own. You'll be responsible for ensuring Ritorno Lounge is the heart of the local community and every customer leaves happy. It's the small things done brilliantly that make all the difference; from a perfectly made flat white to a little treat for our fluffy friends.
We're a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales with over 300 sites already and quickly expanding. How far you go is really up to you.
About Ritorno Lounge
Ritorno Lounge is a venue we're really proud of. Based in a stunning location on Bristol Harbourside, and only a stone's throw from Loungers HQ, we love being part of the action in the middle of our thriving home city. If you love being in the thick of it, this is about as central as Lounge life gets. We may be big and in the middle of a city, but we're still your home-from-home, offering delicious food and drinks, all day, on your doorstep.
Take a trip upstairs and you'll find The Caraboo Room, our private hire space. With its own fully fitted kitchen and bar for hosting parties of up to 200 people it's perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, meeting room hire and corporate events. Like a true local venue, we host a huge range of events from a regulars' D&D group, weekly book clubs, makers' markets, paint and sip nights, jewellery making, walking group meet-ups, charity pub quizzes, and even meetings for the city's BID team. If you like the idea of a job where no two days look the same, you'll fit right in here.
Community is central to everything we do at Lounge, and at Ritorno we're always looking for ways to support local businesses. We work closely with Bristol brewers Wiper & True, stocking their fantastic beers, as well as Branch Cider, who source and press all their ciders from one ancient orchard on the outskirts of Bristol. We even run an annual partnership with Bristol BID and TAP for Bristol charity to help reduce homelessness in the city. If community matters to you as much as it does to us, you'll feel right at in Ritorno Lounge.
Let's Introduce you to your Ritorno Partners!
Every great Lounge runs on great partnerships, and at Ritorno that's working closely with Texas and Bandi. They're the two you'll be working alongside day in, day out.
- Meet Texas - Texas is our Site Operations Manager, and he loves nothing more than the hustle and bustle of a full-on day on the Harbourside, ideally followed up with a Spicy Marg! His go-to Lounge meal is the Byron Bay Brunch.
- Meet Bandi (Andras) - Bandi is our Senior Head Chef at Ritorno, and you won't find a more focused or diligent Head Chef around. On busy days the kitchen turns out up to 700 covers, and Bandi doesn't miss a beat. After a hot shift, he'll happily wind down with a cold Estrella or a fine Bunnahabhain whisky.
What's in it For You?
- Competitive base salary, bonus, overtime
- Permanent full-time role; 48-hour contract
- Overtime pay for every hour worked
- Achievable bonus scheme, paid twice a year
- Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
- Free meal on every shift no matter the length
- Christmas and Boxing Day off
- Genuine career development with our in-house training courses and 'Future Ops' development programmes
- 50% discount on food and drinks from day one, including alcohol across all our brands (Lounge, Cosy Club, & Brightside)
- No uniform policy
- The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
- Long service awards - Vouchers/Extra money
- Early access to your pay with Stream
- Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity
What You'll do
- Take full ownership of Ritorno Lounge - leading a variety of shifts, making sure the right people are in the right place and standards never slip
- Build, recruit and develop a strong team, with clear development plans for your team members so people know how to grow with you
- Work shoulder-to-shoulder with your Head Chef to stay across everything from food quality and wait times to stock, NSF standards and cross-team training
- Know your numbers inside out - GP, labour, NPS, stock counts and use them to make smart decisions and drive continuous improvement
- Lead weekly HOD meetings, keeping everyone aligned, motivated and pulling in the same direction across all 14 shifts
- Put Ritorno Lounge at the heart of the local community - through an active social media presence, community events, and building genuine relationships with your regulars and neighbours
- Schedule fair rotas at least two weeks in advance and take the lead on all shift reporting, including performance, customer issues and safety
- Drive sales growth through The Caraboo Room by increasing private hire, corporate events, networking evenings and large group bookings.
What You'll Bring
- A natural people leader - you build loyal, motivated teams by understanding what makes people tick. You create a one-team culture between front of house and kitchen, where people back each other and do their best work.
- Community-minded - you see your Lounge as part of the local area and build genuine relationships with guests, neighbours and the wider community.
- Hands on Leader - you lead from the floor, coach in the moment, and spot the details that make a difference. You help people grow, with clear development and real progression.
- Commercially minded - you're confident with GP, labour, stock and KPIs, and use them to make smart decisions without losing sight of the customer. You treat your Lounge like it's your own and understand how it fits into the bigger brand.
- Experienced and adaptable - you'll have management experience in restaurants, bars, cafés or coffee shops, whether as a General Manager, Bar Manager, Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager or Restaurant Manager. You're comfortable recruiting, training and developing teams, and you're as happy running a shift as you are reviewing performance.
Ready to Apply?
We want to work with kind people so if you want to work hard, have fun and be part of the Loungers ride, we'd love to have you. Click the link to apply and we look forward to chatting with you!
Want to find out more? Check out our socials at @TheLounges HTFC
General Manager - Ritorno Lounge - Bristol employer: Lounge Café Bars
Antico Lounge, part of the award-winning Loungers group, offers an exceptional work environment for passionate chefs looking to thrive in the hospitality industry. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a strong focus on career progression through in-house training, you'll find ample opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career. Join a team that values high standards, creativity, and camaraderie, all while enjoying benefits like shared tips, free meals, and a 50% discount across all brands from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Ritorno Lounge - Bristol
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Lounge Café Bars. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Lounge Café Bars
Don't be shy about reaching out to Lounge Café Bars directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Ritorno Lounge - Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Lounge Café Bars and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Café Bars
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
