Bar Manager

The Popal Group is seeking an experienced, passionate, and hospitality-driven Bar Manager to join the opening leadership team at The Berliner, our newest concept coming soon to Washington, DC.

The Berliner will celebrate the traditions of a classic German beer hall while delivering an elevated hospitality experience. Featuring an extensive selection of beers, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, approachable wines, and authentic German-inspired cuisine, The Berliner will be a lively gathering place where exceptional beverages, great food, and genuine hospitality come together.

This is a unique opportunity to help build a beverage program from the ground up. As Bar Manager, you will lead all aspects of the beverage operation, from developing and coaching the bar team to maintaining exceptional quality standards, driving profitability, and creating memorable guest experiences.

The Bar Manager is responsible for the overall success of the bar program and beverage operations. This includes managing day-to-day bar service, developing and mentoring bartenders, overseeing inventory and cost controls, maintaining beverage quality standards, and working closely with the General Manager and Executive Chef to create a seamless guest experience.

The ideal candidate is an energetic leader who thrives in high-volume environments, has a passion for beer and hospitality, and enjoys teaching others while continuously raising the bar for service excellence.

• Lead all daily bar operations while maintaining exceptional hospitality and service standards.

• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop bartenders and bar support staff.

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.

• Oversee an extensive German and European beer program, ensuring proper storage, rotation, presentation, and product knowledge.

• Develop and maintain cocktail, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage programs in partnership with leadership.

• Conduct ongoing beverage education, including beer styles, product knowledge, cocktail techniques, responsible alcohol service, and guest engagement.

• Monitor inventory, ordering, receiving, and vendor relationships while maintaining accurate inventory controls.

• Manage beverage cost, pour cost, waste, and profitability through proper systems and execution.

• Ensure recipes, specifications, and beverage presentation standards are consistently followed.

• Partner with the culinary and management teams to deliver a seamless guest experience throughout the restaurant.

• Assist with scheduling, labor management, payroll, and performance management for the bar team.

• Ensure compliance with all health department regulations, liquor laws, and responsible alcohol service standards.

• Resolve guest concerns professionally while creating memorable hospitality experiences.

• Support private events, seasonal programming, beer dinners, and community events.

• 1+ years of bar management experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant, beer hall, brewery, or hospitality-driven concept.

• Strong knowledge of beer, particularly German and European styles, with a passion for continuing education.

• Experience managing cocktail and wine programs.

• Proven leadership experience developing bartenders and building strong teams.

• Strong understanding of inventory management, ordering, beverage costing, and financial performance.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and coaching skills.

• Ability to remain calm and lead effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience with Toast, MarginEdge, Resy, 7shifts, Paylocity, or similar hospitality platforms is preferred.

• Cicerone Certification, WSET, or equivalent beverage certifications are a plus but not required.

We're looking for someone who believes the bar is more than a place to serve drinks, it's where hospitality comes to life. The ideal candidate is passionate about beer, enjoys educating both guests and team members, leads by example, and creates an environment where quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality are at the center of every shift.

Whether introducing guests to a new  lager, executing a perfectly balanced cocktail, or mentoring a new bartender, you'll play an integral role in shaping the experience that defines The Berliner.