Bartender / Mixologist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Bartender / Mixologist is responsible for delivering exceptional beverage service and creating memorable guest experiences throughout the hotel’s restaurants, lounges, bars, banquet venues, and special events. This position serves as a brand ambassador for the hotel’s Food & Beverage program by expertly preparing classic and contemporary cocktails, curating elevated guest experiences, and providing attentive, personalized service that reflects luxury hospitality standards.

The ideal candidate combines advanced mixology skills, product knowledge, creativity, and exceptional guest engagement abilities while maintaining compliance with all alcohol service regulations, food safety requirements, and company standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESGuest Experience & Service Excellence

•  Provide warm, professional, and personalized service to hotel guests, patrons, and event attendees.

•  Create memorable guest experiences through exceptional hospitality, thoughtful beverage recommendations, and relationship building.

•  Anticipate guest needs and respond promptly and professionally to requests and concerns.

•  Maintain a welcoming and engaging atmosphere in all bar and lounge environments.

•  Build rapport with repeat guests and cultivate guest loyalty.

•  Resolve guest concerns promptly, escalating complaints or service issues to management when appropriate.

•  Maintain current knowledge of hotel amenities, promotions, dining offerings, and special events.

Mixology & Beverage Program

•  Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages according to established recipes, specifications, portion standards, and luxury presentation standards.

•  Demonstrate proficiency in classic and contemporary cocktail techniques, including shaking, stirring, muddling, layering, infusing, batching, and appropriate dilution.

•  Create premium cocktails using fresh ingredients, house-made syrups, specialty ice, garnishes, infusions, and high-quality spirits.

•  Maintain thorough knowledge of spirits, wine, beer, liqueurs, mixers, flavor profiles, glassware, garnishes, and emerging beverage trends.

•  Guide guests through beverage selections, recommend pairings, and appropriately suggest premium products to enhance the experience.

•  Ensure consistency, quality, presentation, recipe adherence, and portion control for every beverage.

•  Support seasonal cocktail development, menu tastings, beverage promotions, and special-event drink concepts as assigned.

•  Prepare non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options with the same attention to balance, creativity, and presentation as traditional cocktails.

•  Monitor beverage quality and immediately communicate product or preparation concerns to management.

Food & Beverage Operations

•  Take food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently from hotel guests.

•  Enter orders into the Point of Sale (POS) system in a timely and orderly manner.

•  Ensure beverages and food items are served promptly and according to established service standards.

•  Provide service in accordance with departmental standards, including serving beverages from the appropriate side when conditions permit.

•  Maintain a consistent physical presence in the assigned station or service area.

•  Coordinate with Servers, Food Runners, Bussers, Bartenders, Banquet Staff, Culinary Team Members, and Supervisors to ensure seamless service.

•  Remove used glassware, dishes, and service items and deliver them to designated cleaning areas.

•  Support restaurant, lounge, in-room dining, banquet, and special-event operations as assigned.

•  Follow all service and setup details outlined in Banquet Event Orders (BEOs).

•  Take reservations or assist with guest seating and service support when requested.

Responsible Alcohol Service

•  Verify guest age and identification in accordance with applicable law and hotel policy.

•  Serve alcoholic beverages responsibly and comply with all local, state, and federal requirements.

•  Recognize signs of possible intoxication and exercise sound judgment regarding continued alcohol service.

•  Discontinue or limit alcohol service when necessary and notify management immediately of concerns.

•  Maintain required responsible beverage service certification and follow all related training and procedures.

Inventory & Financial Accountability

•  Maintain assigned house bank and comply with all cash handling, payment processing, and reconciliation procedures.

•  Replenish and restock spirits, wine, beer, mixers, juices, garnishes, glassware, and supplies.

•  Assist with beverage inventory, storage, rotation, requisitions, and product-count procedures.

•  Monitor stock levels and promptly communicate replenishment or product-quality needs to management.

•  Minimize waste through accurate recipes, appropriate portioning, careful product handling, and proper storage.

Sanitation, Safety & Compliance

•  Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary bar, service station, storage area, and surrounding guest area.

•  Clean and sanitize bar equipment, tools, glassware, work surfaces, and equipment according to established procedures.

•  Complete all opening, side-work, closing, cleaning, and lock-up checklists completely and accurately.

•  Comply with food handling, sanitation, workplace safety, and beverage service requirements.

•  Maintain a safe work environment and immediately report hazards, security concerns, accidents, incidents, and work-related injuries to a supervisor.

•  Oversee the handling, presentation, and storage of food and beverage products within the assigned area to support compliance with health and safety standards.

•  Maintain a professional appearance and follow the hotel’s dress and grooming standards.

•  Inform management of guest conduct or dress-code concerns and allow management to address the matter.

Team Collaboration & Professional Development

•  Foster a respectful, dependable, inclusive, and collaborative environment with management, colleagues, guests, and vendors.

•  Assist Servers, Bussers, Bartenders, Food Runners, Banquet Team Members, and other colleagues as operational needs require.

•  Attend required meetings, tastings, training, and education related to the venue, products, service standards, safety, and responsible alcohol service.

•  Demonstrate an active interest in expanding product knowledge, mixology techniques, and luxury-service capabilities.

•  Perform other appropriate duties and special assignments requested by the Bar Manager, Restaurant Manager, or Director of Food & Beverage.

QUALIFICATIONSRequired Qualifications

•  High school diploma or equivalent.

•  Minimum one (1) year of bartending experience in a hotel, restaurant, resort, lounge, banquet, or comparable hospitality setting.

•  Working knowledge of cocktail preparation, beverage products, cash handling, and POS systems.

•  Valid Food Handler Certification, where required.

•  Valid Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification or ability to obtain it within the timeframe required by law and hotel policy.

•  Ability to work a flexible schedule, including mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Two (2) or more years of bartending or mixology experience in an upscale restaurant, luxury hotel, resort, craft cocktail bar, or high-volume hospitality environment.

•  Formal bartending or mixology training or certification.

•  Advanced knowledge of premium spirits, wine, beer, craft cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and current beverage trends.

•  Experience supporting banquets, weddings, conferences, receptions, or other large-scale events.

•  Wine, spirits, beer, or beverage education credentials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

•  Strong cocktail preparation and mixology techniques with an understanding of flavor balance, presentation, and consistency.

•  Knowledge of responsible alcohol service, beverage cost awareness, inventory control, sanitation, and safety practices.

•  Exceptional guest service, interpersonal, listening, and communication skills.

•  Professional appearance, judgment, and demeanor.

•  Ability to multitask, prioritize, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

•  Strong organizational and time-management skills.

•  Ability to use a POS system and accurately handle cash and electronic payments.

•  Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented approach.

•  Commitment to luxury hospitality standards, product knowledge, and continuous learning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•  Stand and walk for extended periods, frequently for six (6) to eight (8) hours or more during a shift.

•  Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 25 pounds.

•  Frequently reach above and below shoulder level; bend, squat, kneel, climb, twist, and stoop.

•  Use hands and arms repetitively for mixing, garnishing, pouring, grasping, pushing, pulling, handling glassware, and operating bar equipment.

•  Work in a fast-paced environment that may include moderate to high noise, changing temperatures, wet surfaces, and exposure to cleaning products.

AVAILABILITY & SCHEDULING

The hotel operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Work schedules must accommodate fluctuating business demands. Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, no set schedule is guaranteed. Schedules may be modified based on business volume, operational needs, and special events.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The employee may be required to perform other duties as needed. This description provides general information about the position and is not an employment contract. Responsibilities, duties, requirements, and reporting relationships may change based on business needs. The Ontario Airport Hotel & Conference Center reserves the right to modify this job description at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.