Position: Lead Bartender
Location: ama – Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, CA
Compensation: Hourly + Tips | Full-Time
About Us:
Opening soon at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid, ama is a new restaurant from acclaimed Chef Brad Kilgore and Kilgore Hospitality Group. The concept blends Italian and Japanese culinary influences in a space designed to evoke elegance, intimacy, and bold creativity.
The cocktail program will be a cornerstone of the guest experience—elevated, expressive, and deeply rooted in the flavors of both cultures. This is your chance to help lead a high-profile opening that will shape the future of San Francisco’s culinary scene.
Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced, creative, and highly motivated Lead Bartender to develop and oversee the cocktail program at ama. You’ll play a central role in crafting the identity of our beverage experience and in shaping the service culture behind the bar.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Create and manage a seasonal cocktail menu that complements the restaurant’s culinary focus
-
Develop batching and prep systems for high-efficiency, high-quality execution
-
Collaborate with the kitchen on menu pairings and ingredient-driven cocktails
-
Train and mentor the bar team through tastings, technique development, and service standards
-
Maintain par levels, place orders, track inventory, and manage bar costs
-
Uphold all health, safety, and cleanliness standards for bar operations
-
Act as a bar ambassador—engaging guests, telling stories, and driving overall experience
Qualifications:
-
3+ years of bartending experience, including 1–2 years in a leadership role
-
Strong background in cocktail creation, bar program design, and operations
-
Deep understanding of spirits, sake, amari, aromatics, and bar tools
-
Experience with Japanese ingredients or bar techniques is a major plus
-
Passion for hospitality, team development, and crafting memorable guest moments
-
Organized, proactive, and comfortable leading a team during opening and service
Why Join Us:
This is a rare opportunity to define a cocktail program from the ground up with the full support of a world-class culinary team. If you’re ready to be part of a bold, beautiful new concept—and make your mark in San Francisco’s restaurant scene—we want to meet you.
