At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve up perfect pints and craft cocktails in a vibrant bar environment.
- Company: Historic country inn known for quality food and drinks in Mickleham.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff meals, discounts, and opportunities for tastings and training.
- Other info: Flexible hours with clear paths for career progression.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and elevate your bartending skills while having fun.
- Qualifications: Experience in a busy bar and a love for cocktails and guest service.
The predicted salary is between 9.9 - 12.1 £ per hour.
About The Running Horses: A historic, food-led country inn in Mickleham, known for seasonal cooking, a quality drinks list, and relaxed yet precise service. We pour proper pints, make balanced classics, and look after guests from first drink to last orders. Little moments make the large impact here.
The Role: You’ll run a clean, fast, and friendly bar: perfect pints, consistent cocktails, confident wine service, and warm hospitality. You’ll keep standards high, communicate clearly with the floor and kitchen, and help the team deliver smooth, profitable service.
Key Responsibilities:
- Greet guests, take and serve drinks orders quickly and accurately; offer tastings and guidance.
- Pour and present draught beer perfectly; maintain glassware standards and line hygiene with the team.
- Mix classic and house cocktails to spec; batch, prep garnishes, syrups and juices daily.
- Confident wine service: by-the-glass recommendations, bottle opening, storage and preservation.
- Keep the bar immaculate: set-ups, par levels, ice and fruit, deep cleans, and closing routines.
- Use POS accurately; manage tabs, splits, refunds, voids, and end-of-shift cash/card reconciliation.
- Stock control: deliveries, rotation (FIFO), counts, wastage logging, and transfer notes; flag low/86 items.
- Uphold licensing objectives and Challenge 25; maintain incident/refusal logs.
- Communicate clearly with the pass and floor on timings, course fires and large rounds.
- Support events and busy services (garden, dining room, private hires) with tray and table service when needed.
- Follow H&S/food safety standards and company SOPs.
What You’ll Bring:
- Real pride in product quality and guest care.
- Solid bar experience in a busy pub/restaurant (premium casual or above) is ideal.
- Cocktail competence (shakes, stirs, builds) and strong beer/wine knowledge, or eagerness to learn fast.
- Speed with accuracy, tidy work habits, and calm under pressure.
- Team player, clear communicator, and punctual professional.
- Right to work in the UK and fluent spoken English.
Training & Tools:
- Structured induction and on-shift coaching.
- Drinks programme training (beer, wine, cocktails), allergen awareness and H&S refreshers (CPL).
- Systems you’ll use: Zonal (POS), SevenRooms (guest notes/events).
Progression:
- Clear routes to Senior Bartender, Bar Supervisor and Duty Manager, plus pathways across the Little & Large Pub Company (bar, floor, events, reservations, management).
Perks:
- Staff food on shift and generous team discounts across the group.
- Tastings, supplier visits and development sessions where available.
- Generous Tronc System.
- Supportive, ambitious team culture.
Hours:
- Mix of evenings, weekends and key seasonal dates.
- Part-time and full-time roles available.
Mixologist in Dorking employer: The Running Horses
The Running Horses in Mickleham is an exceptional employer that values its team members and fosters a vibrant work culture centred around hospitality excellence. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while working alongside a supportive senior team in a dynamic environment that prioritises high guest experience standards and quality offerings. Join us for a rewarding career where your passion for hospitality can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mixologist in Dorking
✨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 The Running Horses. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to The Running Horses
Don't be shy about reaching out to The Running Horses 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 Mixologist in Dorking
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 The Running Horses 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 The Running Horses
✨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!
