What does a Bar Manager do?
A Bar Manager ensures that a bar or pub can run smoothly, providing quality beverages and excellent service to customers. A Bar Manager is responsible for many of the day-to-day tasks needed for a bar to function. They employ staff, set work schedules and maintain fully stocked inventories. A Bar Manager also ensures quality control and that laws and regulations in relation to alcohol service are complied with.
A Bar Manager needs a hands-on attitude. They lead their team by example. They serve drinks, welcome customers and take client feedback, criticisms or praise. The Bar Manager works towards creating a positive environment for customers and a profitable front-of-house.
Bar Manager skills and qualifications
A Bar Manager requires excellent bartending skills and a solid knowledge of beverages and bar operations. They also need specific qualifications related to alcohol service. A successful Bar Manager will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:
- Practical bar skills, including pouring drinks and changing barrels
- Customer service skills and the ability to act on customer feedback
- Excellent leadership skills and the ability to manage staff
- Business and accounting acumen
- Knowledge of alcohol and service laws and the confidence to enforce them
- Hospitality, catering or mixology qualifications
Bar Manager experience requirements
A Bar Manager needs at least one year of experience working within a busy bar, pub or restaurant environment. Excellent knowledge of the day-to-day running of a bar is essential for success in the role. For example, experience pouring pints of beer from the taps, mixing cocktails, unblocking pipes and cleaning equipment.
A Bar Manager requires leadership experience and should have proven experience managing accounts, taking payments and setting budgets. Experience meeting sales targets is essential, while experience in marketing is looked upon positively. Experience in a customer-facing role and providing excellent customer service is a must in this position.
Bar Manager education and training requirements
Successful Bar Managers often have more experience and in-house training than they do formal qualifications and education. Many companies provide on-the-job training to prospective candidates who have extensive experience working in a similar role, such as Server or Bartender. A Bar Manager must be aged over 18, and must have a Personal License in order to authorise alcohol sales.
Prospective Bar Managers may improve their knowledge and skills base through college courses, such as a Level 2 Certificate in General Food and Beverage Service. A degree in business, hospitality or marketing can be useful for further career development, but not essential for the role of Bar Manager.
Bar Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Bar Manager is £23,651 per year. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.
Job description samples for similar positions
If Bar Manager is not quite the job you are looking for, then similar job description samples are available too: