Cook
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$15.50 - $20.75/hr
Empty all Kitchen and Bar trash when necessary * Assist with FOH duties during down times The Ideal Cook: * Embodies Beat The Bomb's Values: Bring Positivity, Take Responsibility, Build The Future ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$15.50 - $20.75/hr
Empty all Kitchen and Bar trash when necessary * Assist with FOH duties during down times The Ideal Cook: * Embodies Beat The Bomb's Values: Bring Positivity, Take Responsibility, Build The Future ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$18.50 - $21/hr
Empty all Kitchen and Bar trash when necessary * Assist with FOH duties during down times The Ideal Cook: * Embodies Beat The Bomb's Values: Bring Positivity, Take Responsibility, Build The Future ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$18.50 - $21/hr
Empty all Kitchen and Bar trash when necessary * Assist with FOH duties during down times The Ideal Cook: * Embodies Beat The Bomb's Values: Bring Positivity, Take Responsibility, Build The Future ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
Washington, DC · On-site
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
Hyattsville, MD · On-site
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
Hyattsville, MD · On-site
$18.50 - $22/hr
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 ...
Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18.50 - $21/hr
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 ...
Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18.50 - $21/hr
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 ...
Be Seen First
Restaurant Line CooK
Washington, DC · On-site
$19 - $21/hr
New bar and Grill opening in the Dupont Circle area of Washington D.C. We are seeking to hire line cooks with 3 years of experience in a high volume and fast paced environment Candidate must have ...
Quick apply
Be Seen First
Restaurant Line CooK
Washington, DC · On-site
$19 - $21/hr
New bar and Grill opening in the Dupont Circle area of Washington D.C. We are seeking to hire line cooks with 3 years of experience in a high volume and fast paced environment Candidate must have ...
Prep Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Prep Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...
Prep Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
Our Big City Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy our handcrafted cocktails. Come join the Bonefish Family as a Prep Cook, where you will passionately prepare, portion, and cook food items to our quality ...
Line Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Glen Burnie, MD · On-site
$15 - $18/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Glen Burnie, MD · On-site
$15 - $18/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Gaithersburg, MD · On-site
$17.15 - $20/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Glen Burnie, MD · On-site
$15 - $18/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Glen Burnie, MD · On-site
$15 - $18/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$15.25 - $19.25/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$15.25 - $19.25/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$15.25 - $19.25/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$15.25 - $19.25/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Line Cooks - We want you at Punch Bowl Social! Life is short, work somewhere awesome. Join the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Line Cooks - We want you at Punch Bowl Social! Life is short, work somewhere awesome. Join the ... Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Arlington, VA · On-site
$18 - $22.75/hr
Minimum of two years' experience in a high-volume restaurant/bar * Desire to work in a chef-driven ... Assembling and cooking our menu items and preparing the perfect dish * Performing regular quality ...
Line Cook
Reston, VA · On-site
$16.50 - $20.50/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Reston, VA · On-site
$16.50 - $20.50/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Reston, VA · On-site
$16.50 - $20.50/hr
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 ...
Line Cook
Reston, VA · On-site
$16.50 - $20.50/hr
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 ...
Bar Cook information
See Washington salary details
$10.07 - $11.43
2% of jobs
$11.43 - $12.80
4% of jobs
$12.80 - $14.16
9% of jobs
$15.52 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.16 - $15.52
10% of jobs
$15.52 - $16.88
14% of jobs
The median wage is $17.79 / hr.
$16.88 - $18.24
16% of jobs
$18.24 - $19.60
15% of jobs
$20.10 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$19.60 - $20.96
12% of jobs
$20.96 - $22.33
9% of jobs
$22.33 - $23.69
5% of jobs
$23.69 - $25.05
3% of jobs
$10
$18
$25
How much do bar cook jobs pay per hour?
As of Sep 7, 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 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 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 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 is the difference between Bar Cook vs Bartender?
| Aspect | Bar Cook | Bartender |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Food safety certifications, culinary skills | Alcohol service permits, mixology knowledge |
| Work Environment | Kitchen, behind the bar, food prep areas | Bar area, customer service setting |
| Employer & Industry | Restaurants, bars, hotels | Bars, nightclubs, restaurants |
| Primary Duties | Preparing food items, maintaining kitchen standards | Serving 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.
How much do bar cooks get paid?
Bar cooks typically earn an hourly wage ranging from $10 to $15, with some earning higher tips depending on the establishment and location. Experienced bar cooks with additional skills or certifications may earn more, and wages can vary based on the venue's size and clientele.
Is it hard to be a bar cook?
Being a bar cook involves fast-paced work, multitasking, and maintaining cleanliness and safety standards. It requires basic cooking skills, knowledge of food safety, and the ability to work evenings and weekends, which can be physically demanding but manageable with experience.
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:
$18.50 - $22/hr
Part-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement
Re-posted 7 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.
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!
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.
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