General Manager

General Manager
Bar Contra | New York, NY

Role
General Manager

Location
Bar Contra (Lower East Side, NYC)

Compensation
$81,000 – $84,000 / year (Salary)

Schedule
Full-Time (5 days/week: 4 Floor Shifts + 1 Dedicated Admin Day)

Leadership
Chefs Jeremiah Stone & Fabián von Hauske, in collaboration with Dave Arnold

Bar Contra, the acclaimed concept from chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske in collaboration with Dave Arnold (author of Liquid Intelligence), is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented, and experienced General Manager to lead our front-of-house operations.

Driven by cutting-edge culinary techniques and modern beverage preparation—from centrifuge clarification and vacuum infusion to advanced carbonation—Bar Contra delivers an elevated, high-precision guest experience. We are looking for an operational leader who brings calm confidence, strong administrative organization, and a commitment to radical teamwork and hospitality excellence.
Role Overview

The General Manager will oversee daily front-of-house operations, team leadership, guest relations, and financial administration. This role is structured to provide a balanced workload between active floor management and administrative oversight.

• 4 Floor Shifts: Active presence during service to maintain high standards of hospitality, support staff, engage with guests, and ensure smooth service flow

• 1 Dedicated Admin Day: Focused office hours for scheduling, payroll, inventory reconciliation, compliance, and strategic planning without service distractions.

Key Responsibilities

• Floor Leadership & Service Standards (4 Shifts / Week)
• Lead the floor by example during high-volume service, ensuring precision, warmth, and seamless hospitality.
• Maintain an active presence in the dining room and bar area, fostering guest relationships and handling elevated guest feedback with poise.
• Mentor, motivate, and guide FOH team members (bartenders, servers, barbacks) to maintain strict product knowledge and service discipline.
• Partner closely with the kitchen and beverage team to align service pacing, dish explanation, and beverage pairings.

Administrative & Operational Management (1 Shift / Week)

• Labor & Scheduling: Manage weekly staff schedules, optimizing floor coverage while controlling labor costs.
• Inventory & COGS: Oversee FOH inventory management, beverage ordering, and monthly cost-of-goods tracking in coordination with the beverage team.
• Payroll & HR: Process weekly payroll, maintain staff documentation, and lead hiring, onboarding, and training programs.
• Compliance & Safety: Maintain rigorous NYC Department of Health (DOH) standards, food safety compliance, and SLA regulations.
• Financial Administration: Oversee daily end-of-night cash/credit reconciliations, reporting, and basic administrative upkeep using POS (Square) and management software.

Candidate Qualifications

• The ideal candidate is an organized, hospitality-focused leader who thrives in dynamic, craft-centric dining environments.
• Experience: Minimum 2–4 years of management experience in high-volume, upscale cocktail bars, fine dining restaurants, or progressive beverage programs in NYC.
• Leadership Style: Collaborative, empathetic, and organized—able to foster high morale and build strong team accountability without ego.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with POS systems (Square preferred), scheduling tools, inventory software, and Google Workspace / Excel.
• Knowledge: Deep appreciation for modern mixology, culinary arts, wine, and high-standard guest care.
• Certifications: NYC DOH Food Protection Certificate required. TIPS / ATAP certification preferred.

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary: $81,000 – $84,000 base salary per year.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Potential Bonus Structures: Based on achieving certain goals
• Perks: Dining privileges and discounts across group venue properties.
• Growth: Opportunity to work directly alongside industry-leading culinary and beverage innovators in a supportive environment.

To Apply
Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction outlining your hospitality philosophy to Jeremiah Stone / [email protected]

Bar Contra is an Equal Opportunity Employer.