Head Bartender

Chambers

Chambers, recently named one of New York City’s Top 100 Restaurants by the New York Times, top 43 by New York Magazine's Grub Street, and a James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for 2026, opened in June of 2022, was added to the Michelin Guide that very year and was also the recipient of a glowing NY Times Review.

Our menu from Chef Jon Karis (formerly of Gramercy Tavern) showcases the best of seasonal New York City cooking, with a frequently changing menu (alongside a few staples) that is as meticulously prepared as it is craveable. Our exploratory beverage collection of soulful wines, spirits and fermented beverages built by Beverage Director and world-renowned sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier (formerly of Racines NY and Rouge Tomate) is both world-class and approachable. We are deeply committed to creating an atmosphere that puts the comfort and pleasure of the diner’s experience at the forefront, with service led by General Manager Jared David (formerly of Racines NY and Babbo).

Why Chambers?

At Chambers we believe we have a responsibility as an independent restaurant to take the time and care to work with the farmers, purveyors, winemakers (and more) who are dedicated to leaving things better than they found them—including our staff.  We value our team members and make it a priority to offer a real work-life balance that encourages longevity with the restaurant and long-term growth. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, vision/dental/medical, pre-tax transit, and a host of other voluntary benefits (even pet insurance!).

HEAD BARTENDER JOB DESCRIPTION 

POSITION

The head-bartender responsibilities include but aren’t limited to the overall creation, maintenance & development of the cocktail program, leading the bar during service, maintaining the standards of the restaurant, assisting the other FOH positions when necessary, and working with the beverage director to maintain the quality of the overall beverage program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• ⁠ ⁠Program Development: Design, create, and maintain a menu of cocktails that highlight seasonal ingredients and complement our culinary offerings in collaboration with the beverage director.
• ⁠ ⁠Team Leadership: Train and mentor the bar and service team to ensure consistency, quality, and exceptional service.
• ⁠ ⁠Bar Operations: Oversee daily bar operations, including inventory management & ordering in collaboration with the beverage director, and ensuring adherence to all health and safety regulations 
• ⁠ ⁠Customer Experience: Engage with guests to provide recommendations and ensure a memorable experience that reflects the values of Chambers. Contribute to develop relationships with guests and regulars.
• ⁠ ⁠Collaboration: Work closely with the culinary team & the beverage director to align the cocktail program with the restaurant’s seasonal focus.
• ⁠ ⁠Innovation: Stay informed about industry trends and bring fresh ideas to enhance the bar program. Participate in wine & spirits tastings with the sommelier team. 

SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

• ⁠ Complete all assigned side work related to set up and breakdown of the bar. Ensure the bar is well-stocked with glasses, coasters, napkins, straws, ice, liquor, wine, and beer
• ⁠ Greet all customers who visit the bar or enter the restaurant
• ⁠ Maintain responsible service of alcohol to all customers including checking identification for proof of age
• Oversee and guide guest’s complete dining and bar experience
• Provide knowledgeable, approachable, efficient, energetic, and thoughtful service at all times
• ⁠ Take orders from customers and ensures 100% accuracy when entering orders into the system
• Ascertain allergies and dietary restrictions and works with section management and chefs to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all customers 
• Possess a full knowledge of food and beverage menu items including the major components of a dish/drink; this may include ingredients and their source, simple descriptions of unfamiliar ingredients, preparation, and/or execution of correct food and beverage service 
• Possess an extensive knowledge and execution of classic and house beverages, as well as wines, spirits, beers, n/a, etc. 
• Prepares cocktails and beverages, and pours wines for all customers at the bar and in the restaurant. 
• Clear dead glassware, and makes additional beverage sales at the bar and in the restaurant
• Complete all assigned side work related to set up and breakdown of bar area and restocking the bar for the next shift if needed
• Confident and correct use of Toast POS system for order entry and payment processing
• Ensure guests are charged correctly and receive proof of payment in a timely manner 
• Alert  management to any customer experiences that fall short of our standards of excellence. 
• Communicate respectfully with chefs (and kitchen team) as necessary 
• Assist team members by communicating 86s, menu changes, and/or other food related information
• Support team members in the completion of their duties to ensure satisfaction of all guests before, during, and after service 
• Adhere to all health and safety standards + understand and execute food safety and allergies protocols
• Maintain inventory levels for all liquor, beer, wine, and bar items for service to customers  
• Organize and shelves beer and liquor deliveries
• Prepare juices, mixes, syrups, garnishes, etc.
• Ensure the bar is well-stocked with glasses, napkins, straws, ice, liquor, wine, and beer
• Maintains a clean work and dining area by removing trash, cleaning bar top, washing glasses, utensils, and equipment
• Perform inventory at the direction of the beverage director. Responsible for training new employees as assigned
• Update knowledge and skills continuously by participating in staff training opportunities.
• Assists other stations or areas of the restaurant when requested by management.
• Enforce service standards both in terms of beverage service and synchronicity with the kitchen
• Communicate unanticipated menu changes and 86’s to beverage manager

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist in monthly beverage inventory
• Assist in entering new SKU in POS
• Collaborate with the beverage director on the selection of new items on the list (spirits, beers, etc)
• Attend tastings with beverage director 
• Check for accuracy of all items in the POS system (price, low, etc.) 
• Create and maintain wine education materials
• Effectively communicate all cocktails, spirits, etc. changes to staff
• Maintain cleanliness of the cellar and beverage area
• Keeping up-to-date with local and international beverage developments, including everything concerning farming and sustainability 

TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Help develop appropriate educational goals and outreach; outline self-education program and goals with beverage director
• Work with beverage director and FOH management to create an effective beverage training program for new hires as well as continuing education to ensure firm beverage knowledge across the team.
• Training others based on need
• Create various types of tests to help maintain beverage knowledge level amongst the team
• Create innovative beverage education and tasting classes to maintain a high engagement level

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3 years as a head-bartender experience in a high volume, high end environment
• Must have a strong personal interest in food & wine & a passion for hospitality
• 3+ years of fine/casual fine dining experience
• All applicants are presumed to have open availability to work any day of the week unless otherwise specified by the candidate at the time of interview

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands for this position are seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 5 to 10 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

DISCLAIMER

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Chambers reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Chambers or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Chambers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, ancestry, national origin, alienage or citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, or other protected status.