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Bar Cook Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

14th & V Street - Busboys and Poets

Cook

Washington, DC

$18.50 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been ...

Hyattsville - Busboys and Poets

Cook

Hyattsville, MD

$18.50 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been ...

Takoma - Busboys and Poets

Cook

Washington, DC · On-site

$18.50 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been ...

Columbia - Busboys and Poets

Cook

Columbia, MD

$18.50 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been ...

Shirlington - Busboys and Poets

Cook

Arlington, VA

$18.50 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Glen Burnie, MD · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Glen Burnie, MD · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$17.15 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Punch Bowl Social

Line Cook

Arlington, VA

$18 - $22.75/hr

Our Line Cooks are passionate about the craft, true culinarians and have a deep respect for the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Punch Bowl Social

Line Cook

Arlington, VA · On-site

$18 - $22.75/hr

Our Line Cooks are passionate about the craft, true culinarians and have a deep respect for the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...

Punch Bowl Social

Line Cook

Arlington, VA · On-site

$18 - $22.75/hr

Our Line Cooks are passionate about the craft, true culinarians and have a deep respect for the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Bonefish Grill

Line Cook

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$17.15 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Line Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...

Punch Bowl Social

Line Cook

Arlington, VA · On-site

$18 - $22.75/hr

Our Line Cooks are passionate about the craft, true culinarians and have a deep respect for the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...

Donohoe Hospitality

Line Cook

Reston, VA

$16.50 - $20.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join Our Team as a Line Cook at Seven & Syn Restaurant and Rooftop Bar! Are you ready to elevate your culinary career and be part of an exciting, ever-evolving kitchen environment? We're seeking ...

Donohoe Hospitality Services

Line Cook

Reston, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $20.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Join Our Team as a Line Cook at Seven & Syn Restaurant and Rooftop Bar! Are you ready to elevate your culinary career and be part of an exciting, ever-evolving kitchen environment? We're seeking ...

Anacostia - Busboys and Poets

Line Cook

Washington, DC · On-site

$18.50 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural ... Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens ...

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Bar Cook information

See Washington salary details

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How much do bar cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for bar cook in Washington is $18.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Bar Cook vs Bartender?

AspectBar CookBartender
CredentialsFood safety certifications, culinary skillsAlcohol service permits, mixology knowledge
Work EnvironmentKitchen, behind the bar, food prep areasBar area, customer service setting
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, bars, hotelsBars, nightclubs, restaurants
Primary DutiesPreparing food items, maintaining kitchen standardsServing drinks, engaging with customers, mixing cocktails

While both roles work in bar settings, a Bar Cook focuses on preparing food behind the scenes, requiring culinary skills and food safety certifications. A Bartender primarily serves drinks, interacts with customers, and needs alcohol service permits. They often work together in hospitality environments but have distinct responsibilities.

What is a bar cook?

A Bar Cook is a kitchen professional who specializes in preparing food items served at a bar, such as appetizers, small plates, and casual meals. They are responsible for cooking and plating dishes quickly to meet the fast-paced environment of a bar or pub. Bar Cooks often work closely with bartenders to ensure food orders are prepared accurately and efficiently. Their role may also include maintaining kitchen cleanliness, prepping ingredients, and following food safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by bar cooks, and how can they be managed effectively?

Bar cooks often work in fast-paced environments, where balancing multiple orders during busy periods can be challenging. Effective time management, strong communication with bartenders and servers, and staying organized with prep work are key to managing these demands. Adapting quickly to menu changes or special requests, maintaining food safety standards, and keeping a clean workspace also help ensure smooth operations and high-quality service. Building strong teamwork skills and staying calm under pressure are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a bar cook?

To thrive as a Bar Cook, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, POS systems, and sometimes a food handler certification are typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are essential soft skills for excelling in this fast-paced environment. These abilities ensure that food is prepared efficiently, safely, and to a high standard, contributing to customer satisfaction and smooth bar operations.

What are popular job titles related to Bar Cook jobs in Washington?

For Bar Cook jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Bar Cook jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Bar Cook jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Bar Cook jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Bar Cook job openings:

Bar Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Bar Cook job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,761 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

Cook

14th & V Street - Busboys and Poets

Washington, DC

$18.50 - $22/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant/bar/bookstore/event space/community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted and a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It is also a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide. We believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.
We are always looking for passionate, hospitality-driven, people-persons! Do you want to serve delicious food in a diverse space where you truly be yourself? As a server, you will work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, guest-centric environment where we want to see you succeed and ultimately grow, both personally and professionally. If this sounds like the vibe you're looking for, we hope you will apply!
Job Type: Variable
Pay: $18.50-$22 per hour


COMPANY BENEFITS

Busboys and Poets offers competitive pay and benefits including a wide choice of health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match of 100% of the first 4% and 50% of the next 2%, 1 week sick leave per year, paid parental leave, a company paid life insurance policy, pet insurance and so much more!
WHY WORK FOR US

Join a diverse space:
81% of our total workforce identifies as a person of color, 45% of our total workforce identifies as female and 5% of our workforce identifies as a person with disabilities. Our executive team also represents gender diversity, ethnic diversity, sexual orientation, and more. Men and women equally represented as well as various cultural and religious backgrounds. We strive to provide an inclusive workplace where you can bring your authentic self to work.

Grow with us:
Over 60% of our managers were promoted from within to their existing role from line staff or from Front-of-House manager to Assistant or General Manager. Our entire Executive Team consists of existing employees who showed promise and were promoted into leadership positions.

Work with latest technologies:
Striving to be a leader in our industry, we utilize a broad spectrum of technologies including our tech-forward training program, employee payroll system, a self-managed tip distribution system, an events and catering platform, inventory management system, our POS Toast, and much more!

Happy staff:
Busboys and Poets is always looking for the next best way to engage with our staff. This includes raffles, anniversary boxes, an employee dedicated web-based forum and information site, blog and podcast.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

  • Work well with a team, jumping in where needed (Substitute for or assist other cooks during emergencies or rush periods)
  • Prepare food according to the recipes provided
  • Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking
  • Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
  • Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
  • Portion, arrange, and garnish food
  • Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment and work surfaces, or serving areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
  • Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
    Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.


Physical Requirements:

  • Spend time bending or twisting the body
  • Spend time lifting heavy weight
  • Spend time standing on feet for long hours
  • Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects/tools

Qualifications:

  • More than 1 year working in a fast-paced, full-service restaurant preferred
  • Must be at least 18 years of age in order to work in the kitchen
  • Must work a minimum of 3 shifts per week
  • Must be a team player
Busboys and Poets owns and operates 8 multi-concept restaurant, bar, event and bookstore spaces in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Our locations include: 14th & V, 450K, Anacostia, Brookland, Columbia, Hyattsville, Shirlington and Takoma with more on the horizon!

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