Job Description

Title: Lead Bartender - Applebee’s

Location: Applebee’s Matteson, IL Department: Food & Beverage Reports To: Assistant Food & Beverage Manager and Food & Beverage Manager Compensation: Competitive hourly wage based on experience, plus tips

Position Summary: Garnet Hotels is seeking an experienced, energetic, and guest-focused Lead Bartender for Applebee’s located at our dual-brand Delta Hotels and Fairfield Inn & Suites property in Matteson, Illinois.

The Lead Bartender will oversee daily bar operations, prepare high-quality beverages, support and train bartenders, maintain inventory, control beverage costs, and ensure responsible alcohol service. The ideal candidate has strong mixology, leadership, and guest-service skills and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages according to Applebee’s recipes and standards.
Lead daily bar operations and ensure consistent beverage quality and excellent service.
Train, coach, and support bartenders.
Maintain a clean, organized, stocked, and safe bar.
Assist with liquor, beer, wine, and mixer inventory, ordering, receiving, and rotation.
Conduct inventory counts and help control costs, waste, and product loss.
Monitor pour accuracy and portion control.
Verify identification and follow all liquor laws and responsible-service requirements.
Recommend beverages and food pairings to guests.
Assist with promotions, seasonal beverages, and special events.
Complete opening, closing, cash-handling, and shift-reconciliation procedures.
Support hotel and banquet beverage service when needed.
Address guest concerns professionally and promptly.
Promote a positive and team-oriented work environment.

Qualifications:

Minimum three years of bartending experience in a high-volume restaurant, hotel, or hospitality environment.
Lead Bartender, Head Bartender, or Bar Supervisor experience preferred.
Strong knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and beverage preparation.
Experience with beverage inventory and cost control.
Excellent leadership, communication, and guest-service skills.
Ability to train and motivate team members.
ServSafe certification, or ability to obtain upon hire.
BASSET, TIPS, or another approved alcohol-service certification, or ability to obtain upon hire.
Applebee’s, casual-dining, Marriott, banquet, or hotel-opening experience is preferred.
Experience using POS systems and handling cash.

Physical and Scheduling Requirements:

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, twist, and perform repetitive hand movements.
Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.

Benefits:

Competitive hourly wage based on experience, plus tips
Paid Time Off for eligible associates
Employee discounts
Health insurance
Professional development and advancement opportunities
Supportive and collaborative work environment

Equal Employment Opportunity: Garnet Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

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