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Bar Manager Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Bar Manager interview questions and answers.

  1. Do you have experience working as a bar manager? See answer
  2. How would you describe your ideal team? See answer
  3. What software or technologies do you know how to use? See answer
  4. Can you describe your management style? See answer
  5. How would you resolve disputes between bartenders? See answer
  6. How do you determine how many bartenders need to work a shift? See answer
  7. How would you deal with an underperforming bartender? See answer
  8. Imagine an irate and intoxicated customer walked into the bar. What would you do? See answer
  9. What time and days are you available to work? See answer
  10. What would you do if a bartender failed to show up at work? See answer
  11. How do you measure your success as a bar manager? See answer
  12. How do you help new hires settle into their new role? See answer
  13. What would you do if a customer complained about the services they received? See answer
  14. What would you do if a bar owner disagreed with you on a strategy or action? See answer
  15. What qualities make you the best bar manager for this role? See answer
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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Bar Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Do you have experience working as a bar manager?

Bar managers need several years of work experience in the foodservice sector to succeed. This question helps you understand what experience a candidate has and whether it qualifies them to work at your bar. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant supervisory experience
  • Connections between work experience and anticipated role
  • Understanding of the role's requirements

Example:

"Yes. My experience includes various supervisory and management roles. In college, I opened a bar with my friend and managed its daily operations part-time. I spent my remaining hours working as a farm supervisor. This position enabled me to test different management styles until I found one that aligned with my personality. I achieved a customer retention rate of 75% at my bar. As your bar manager, I'd ensure the smooth running of your business."

How would you describe your ideal team?

This question helps you determine whether a candidate is a good fit for your organisation. Pay attention to the qualities they look for in their ideal teammates. What to look for in an answer:

  • Teamwork skills
  • Qualities that aligns with your organisation's values
  • Drive to work in your organisation

Example:

"My ideal team is one that allows everyone to develop their talent. From my research, it appears your establishment operates a collabourative work environment. I'd love to work here and thrive as part of your management team."

What software or technologies do you know how to use?

Bar managers use software and technologies to handle vendor requests, place and track orders, perform accounting duties, and carry out other functions. This question helps you determine which ones a candidate is familiar with. It reveals whether you need to provide on-the-job training on software programmes to a bar manager. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of a bar manager's role
  • Familiarity with software for accounting, database management, and inventory tracking
  • Attitude to learning

Example:

"I'm familiar with Quickbooks. I also have experience using bar management software and POS systems, such as Lightspeed POS and Revel Systems. Can you tell me what bar management software you use here?"

Can you describe your management style?

The goal of this question is to understand how a candidate manages bartenders and other employees. Consider a bar manager whose style fits the work culture needs of your employees. What to look for in an answer:

  • Reason for using a management style
  • Adaptability to your organisation's work culture
  • Experience using a management style

Example:

"I believe bartenders work best when bar managers only monitor their work occasionally. This is why I use the laissez-faire management style. I allow each employee in the room to complete tasks and attend to customers using their best judgement. If they needed my help, I'd be happy to guide them. I used this management style in all my previous roles."

How would you resolve disputes between bartenders?

Resolving conflicts between bartenders and other employees is an important duty of a bar manager. The goal of this question is to find out whether a candidate knows methods for dealing with conflict situations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Excellent conflict-resolution skills
  • Ability to maintain a healthy work environment and foster relationships
  • Strategies to respond objectively and proactively prevent disputes

Example:

"I'd reach out to the bartenders and invite them to a private space to avoid complications. Then I'd listen actively to each person's point of view and objectively comment on them. I'd calmly discuss possible resolutions and make sure both parties are happy with it."

How do you determine how many bartenders need to work a shift?

The number of bartenders who need to work a shift depends on several factors, such as the season and number of customers you receive. This question helps you understand how a candidate would schedule the appropriate number of bartenders for a shift. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strategies to schedule bartenders based on their strengths
  • Awareness of your organisation's busy business periods
  • Experience scheduling bartenders to work shifts

Example:

"I record table counts throughout the year. I use this information and the strengths of bartenders to schedule employees to work shifts. From my experience, your organisation's peak business period is the last quarter of the year. I'd be sure to schedule additional bartenders during this period as your bar manager."

How would you deal with an underperforming bartender?

Managing bartenders and ensuring they provide the best services is an important duty of a bar manager. This question aims to find out more about a candidate's personality and how they respond to an underperforming bartender. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strategies to motivate employees
  • Evidence handling employee performance issues
  • Thoughtfulness regarding actions for underperforming bartenders

Example:

"Last year, a bartender had time management and organisational issues. He didn't serve customers on time, which displeased them. I called him to a private room and we spoke about a new delivery timeline. I also reassigned a few responsibilities to other people. My excellent leadership skills help me handle these situations adequately."

Imagine an irate and intoxicated customer walked into the bar. What would you do?

Bar managers maintain order in bars, restaurants, and hotels. The purpose of this question is to find out how a candidate handles difficult situations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Conflict-resolution skills
  • Politeness and professionalism
  • Ability to remain calm and diffuse situations

Example:

"If an irate and intoxicated customer came into the bar, I'd approach them and try to calm them down. I'd instruct the bartenders not to serve them any liquor. If I noticed the customer was still belligerent, I'd escort them out of the bar. At my previous jobs, I trained bartenders on how to calmly resolve similar situations."

What time and days are you available to work?

Bar managers often work the weekends and holidays. Use this question to identify bar managers whose working style aligns with your culture. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work flexible hours
  • Understanding of the role's requirements
  • Adaptability to your organisation

Example:

"My job involves ensuring bartenders and other employers provide quality services to patrons. Sometimes, this requires me to work late nights and be available during the weekends. I'd be happy to work Mondays through Saturdays in your organisation. I could also work Sundays, if you needed me to be available."

What would you do if a bartender failed to show up at work?

This question helps you understand how a bar manager would cope with short-staffing. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Ability to assume duties whenever necessary
  • Excellent conflict-resolution skills

Example:

"If a bartender failed to show up at work, I'd call them and find out why they weren't around. Their response would help me decide whether to reassign their duties for the day or wait for them to arrive. If other bartenders were busy at the time, I'd be happy to step in and perform the unavailable bartender's duties. I always try to avoid short-staffed situations because it can affect service quality."

How do you measure your success as a bar manager?

Like other professionals, a bar manager must have strategies to track their progress. By asking this question, you can determine whether a candidate evaluates their actions and find ways to improve. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of bar management key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Attitude to work and developing skills
  • Drive to ensure quality services

Example:

"I record bar management KPIs, such as customer retention, employee turnover rate, and inventory shortages or surplus in an Excel Spreadsheet. I believe getting feedback from my employers, customers, and teammates is also a  good way to find out aspects to continue or improve."

How do you help new hires settle into their new role?

After sourcing for new bartenders, a bar manager should coach them and provide on-the-job training. This question helps you understand how a candidate would help bartenders succeed in their new roles. What to look for in an answer:

  • Positive attitude to helping bartenders
  • Experience coaching struggling teammates
  • Ability to work well with others

Example:

"I love coaching new bartenders and helping them understand guidelines, safety procedures, and other issues they may find challenging. I'd be happy to put them in a job-shadowing role until they can complete tasks themselves. I believe my leadership and coaching style helps me train bartenders."

What would you do if a customer complained about the services they received?

By asking this question, you can determine how a candidate would handle challenging situations that involve patrons. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical-thinking and conflict-resolution skills
  • Drive to provide the best services to customers
  • Experience managing displeased customers

Example:

"If a customer complained about our services, I'd politely approach them and apologise for not meeting their service expectations. I'd ask how we could correct the situation. Then, I'd take their response as feedback and discuss it with the bartenders to prevent other customers from making similar comments. As your bar manager, I'd make sure I maintain your reputation as one of the best bars in Montreal."

What would you do if a bar owner disagreed with you on a strategy or action?

While bar managers oversee activities in a bar, its owners typically have the final say on actions to take. Asking this question helps you discover how a candidate would handle disagreements with owners. What to look for in an answer:

  • Politeness, respectfulness, and professionalism
  • Ability to communicate effectively and listen actively
  • Emotional intelligence

Example:

"I'd first listen to their views on my strategy or action. Then, I'd reiterate why I thought it was a good idea for the bar. I'd ask them for their views if they still didn't agree with my strategy or idea."

What qualities make you the best bar manager for this role?

This question helps you determine what makes a candidate unique. It offers bar managers the opportunity to sell themselves. What to look for in an answer:

  • Relevant skills, personality traits, and natural talents, such as the ability to communicate or supervise
  • Drive to provide excellent services
  • Enthusiasm for the position

Example:

"I'm confident I'm the best candidate because of my unique skill set. I'm particularly skilled at relating with different personalities and working in a team. My organisational skills help me maintain inventory levels and manage bartenders. I also have years of varied work experience that would help this bar run smoothly. I look forward to applying my skills and the lessons learned to move your bar staff toward achieving improved customer services."

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