Bar Operations Manager Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

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Full Time Dear Charlotte Charlotte, NC, US

$60,000-$70,000 + Bonus Opportunity | Full-Time

Dear Charlotte is a new Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant, bar, and event destination coming to Charlotte.

We're creating a high-energy destination built around great food, an elevated cocktail program, and an indoor/outdoor rooftop atmosphere. The beverage program will be a major part of the experience, and we're looking for a Bar Manager who wants to help build it from the ground up.

This isn't a role where you're stepping into an established bar program. You'll have the opportunity to help shape what Dear Charlotte becomes.

As Bar Manager, you'll take ownership of the day-to-day bar operation while helping establish the beverage standards, team, culture, and guest experience from pre-opening forward.

You'll work closely with the General Manager and culinary leadership to create a cohesive food and beverage experience while building a bar program that drives both guest satisfaction and revenue.

• Help lead the bar pre-opening and launch


• Build and establish bar standards, procedures, and service expectations


• Recruit, interview, hire, train, and develop the bar team


• Lead daily bar operations and service execution


• Develop and execute a cocktail-forward beverage program


• Support seasonal cocktail menu development and beverage programming


• Train bartenders on cocktail technique, spirits, wine, beer, menu knowledge, and hospitality


• Maintain consistency, speed, presentation, and quality throughout service


• Manage beverage inventory, ordering, receiving, and storage


• Monitor beverage cost, waste, comps, and operational controls


• Support beverage P&L performance and profitability


• Develop relationships with vendors and beverage partners


• Create strategies to drive premium-spirit sales and increase average check


• Support private events and special programming


• Coach the team throughout service and provide ongoing feedback


• Maintain responsible alcohol service, cleanliness, organization, and compliance standards


• Partner with the GM and leadership team to create a strong restaurant culture

We're looking for a hands-on beverage leader who understands that a great bar is about more than making great cocktails. It's about creating an experience, developing people, controlling costs, and driving the business.

Required:

• 3+ years of bar management or progressive beverage leadership experience


• Strong cocktail and spirits knowledge


• Experience training and developing bartenders


• Experience with beverage inventory and cost controls


• Strong understanding of high-volume bar operations


• Ability to lead a team while remaining hands-on during service


• Strong guest engagement and hospitality skills


• Comfortable working evenings, weekends, and high-volume service periods

Ideal experience includes:

• New restaurant opening experience


• Rooftop bar or restaurant experience


• Mediterranean or globally inspired concepts


• Upscale or elevated casual dining


• Private events and large-format service


• Beverage P&L and financial management

The right person will be someone who gets genuinely excited about beverage, hospitality, and building something new.

You should be someone who:

• Gets excited about cocktails, spirits, and the guest experience


• Can build a beverage program rather than simply manage an existing one


• Thinks about both creativity and numbers


• Understands beverage cost and profitability


• Develops bartenders into hospitality professionals


• Leads from the floor and sets the standard by example


• Takes ownership when something isn't working


• Has the energy and flexibility required for a new opening


• Wants to help create a bar that becomes a destination

Great restaurants start with great teams - and we believe in taking care of ours.

In addition to competitive compensation, you'll receive an excellent benefits package designed to support you both at work and outside of it.

• $60,000-$70,000 salary + bonus opportunity


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Paid Time Off (PTO)


• Health and wellness benefits


• Career growth and advancement opportunities


• Opportunity to build a beverage program from the ground up


• Opportunity to shape the bar team, culture, and guest experience from day one

If you're a beverage leader who wants the opportunity to build something from scratch, lead a team, and create a bar program people want to come back to, we'd love to hear from you.