About Us:
16 On Center Chicago owns and operates several live music venues, third-party production, restaurants, bars, and food halls across Chicago and New York. Join the team of one of the country's leading independent promoters.
Our most effective service to our community comes from a team with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. 16 On Center actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Position Summary
As a Bar Lead at Three Top Lounge inside The Salt Shed, you will take on a leadership role in setting and maintaining the highest standards of service, speed, and hospitality. This position requires consistency, accountability, and strong communication, with a focus on supporting your team while overseeing the bar’s day-to-day operations. You will collaborate closely with fellow Bar Leads and management to ensure the space runs smoothly, guiding teammates through both high-volume rushes and slower moments with the same level of professionalism. By leading with dependability and attention to detail, you will help create an environment where both staff and guests feel supported, welcomed, and cared for.
Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Ensuring all food, drinks, and steps of service are executed consistently and at the highest level every shift
- Maintaining cleanliness and organization of all service and back-of-house areas within Three Top Lounge
- Training new team members and providing ongoing training for existing staff
- Monitoring inventory levels to align with demand and prevent shortages or overstocking
- Assisting with monthly inventory counts and developing/adjusting pars (glassware, dry goods, garnishes, batches, etc.)
- Creating and updating opening, closing, and sidework checklists, and ensuring completion before staff clock out
- Communicating menu counts, updates, and description edits
- Overseeing floor plan adjustments and furniture placement as needed
- Assisting with scheduling cuts, managing breaks, and supporting staff transitions during service
- Conducting table touches to address guest concerns quickly and ensure a positive experience
- Supporting bar prep and participating in menu development and R&D
- Occasionally working special events throughout the venue
Managerial duties when scheduled include:
- Setting the atmosphere (music, lights, overall vibe)
- Providing full-staff support across all roles (servers, bartenders, barbacks, bussers, runners, hosts, door staff)
- Ensuring seamless interdepartmental communication for smooth service
- Documenting nightly operations and guest issues in the Manager Log
- Enforcing operational standards and closing protocols through the end of service
- Monitoring guest interactions and intoxication, escalating concerns promptly to security
- Documenting all incidents, especially if police are involved
- Overseeing closing procedures, including confirming staff exit, shutting down music/lights, and securing all doors and windows
About You:
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a bartender in a cocktail-focused bar or lounge, with prior leadership or shift-lead experience strongly preferred
- At least 21 years of age
- Professional appearance, demeanor, and communication style
- Strong working knowledge of cocktail builds, variations, and bar operations, with the ability to train and mentor others
Approachable, guest-focused, and able to resolve issues with professionalism and tact - Clear, effective communicator with the ability to guide teammates and collaborate across departments
- Dependable and organized, with strong follow-through on responsibilities and closing procedures
- Able to balance the demands of fast-paced service with the oversight of staff performance and guest satisfaction
- Physically able to stand and walk for 8–10 hours, lift and carry up to 25 lbs., and perform frequent tasks such as cutting fruit, carrying ice buckets and bar mats, and stocking liquor bottles
- Comfortable working in warm and cool environments, both indoors and outdoors, and able to tolerate high levels of noise from music and guest traffic
Position Details
- Job Type: Full-time, Hourly
- Compensation: Bartending: $18.00 per hour, plus tips / Admin: $25/hour
- Benefits: Health insurance with employer contribution; voluntary dental, vision, short-term disability, accident, and hospital coverage; employer-paid life insurance; voluntary life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with company match; PTO
