Bar Manager

Description

Job Title: Bar Manager – Nubeluz Rooftop
Location: The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad – New York, NY
Reports To: General Manager / Assistant General Manager
Department: Food & Beverage – Bar Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range: $85,000–$90,000 per year + Performance-Based Bonus + Benefits

About José Andrés Group & Nubeluz

José Andrés Group (JAG), led by Chef José Andrés, is a hospitality company known for creating exceptional dining experiences through culinary innovation, outstanding hospitality, and a values-driven culture.

Located atop The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, Nubeluz is an elevated rooftop cocktail destination offering breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, sophisticated cocktails, premium spirits, and an unforgettable hospitality experience.

Nubeluz combines the creativity and imagination of José Andrés Group with the elegance and personalized service expected in a luxury hotel environment.

Position Summary

The Bar Manager at Nubeluz is a hands-on hospitality and beverage leader responsible for overseeing daily bar operations, maintaining exceptional cocktail and beverage standards, developing a high-performing bar team, and delivering an outstanding guest experience.

Working closely with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Beverage Leadership, and Culinary teams, the Bar Manager will oversee service execution, team training, beverage inventory, cost controls, scheduling, and operational standards.

The ideal candidate is a passionate, knowledgeable, and charismatic beverage professional with a strong background in luxury hospitality, elevated cocktail programs, and high-volume bar operations.

This individual should be equally comfortable leading a busy service, engaging with VIP guests, developing bartenders, managing beverage costs, and ensuring every cocktail reflects the quality, creativity, and attention to detail that define Nubeluz.

Key Responsibilities

Bar Operations & Service Excellence

• Oversee daily bar operations, ensuring smooth, efficient, and consistent execution.
• Maintain a highly visible and hands-on presence during service, particularly during peak business periods.
• Ensure all cocktails, beverages, and service experiences meet JAG and Nubeluz standards.
• Oversee bar opening, service, and closing procedures.
• Maintain exceptional standards for cocktail preparation, presentation, temperature, garnish, and consistency.
• Ensure bar stations are properly stocked, organized, clean, and ready for service.
• Monitor service pacing, ticket times, and overall bar productivity.
• Anticipate operational challenges and make adjustments to maintain seamless service.
• Partner closely with FOH leadership to ensure the bar and dining room operate cohesively.
• Maintain the polished atmosphere and elevated standards expected of a luxury rooftop destination.

Beverage Program & Product Knowledge

• Maintain expert knowledge of Nubeluz's cocktail, spirits, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverage offerings.
• Partner with Beverage Leadership on seasonal cocktail updates, new offerings, and beverage initiatives.
• Ensure all beverages are prepared according to established recipes, specifications, and presentation standards.
• Conduct regular tastings and quality checks.
• Maintain strong knowledge of premium spirits, classic cocktails, contemporary mixology techniques, and emerging beverage trends.
• Ensure bartenders and bar team members can confidently communicate ingredients, flavor profiles, preparation techniques, and recommendations.
• Support the development of innovative and thoughtful beverage experiences while maintaining operational consistency.
• Ensure the beverage program reflects the creativity, quality, and identity of José Andrés Group.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, motivate, and develop Bartenders, Barbacks, Bar Prep, and other bar team members.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new employees.
• Establish clear expectations for performance, professionalism, product knowledge, and service standards.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings, beverage tastings, and ongoing training.
• Provide consistent coaching, feedback, recognition, and development opportunities.
• Identify high-potential team members and support their professional growth.
• Maintain accountability for service standards, attendance, teamwork, and operational procedures.
• Foster a positive, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Lead by example with professionalism, humility, urgency, and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Luxury Guest Experience & Hospitality

• Deliver exceptional, personalized hospitality to every guest.
• Maintain an active presence throughout the bar and guest areas.
• Engage with guests, offer beverage recommendations, and create memorable experiences.
• Recognize VIPs, regular guests, hotel guests, celebrations, and special occasions.
• Handle guest feedback and concerns with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Maintain discretion and attention to detail when serving high-profile clientele.
• Ensure the team consistently demonstrates polished service, warmth, and strong product knowledge.
• Partner with hotel and restaurant leadership to maintain the elevated hospitality expectations of The Ritz-Carlton.
• Identify opportunities to improve the guest experience and strengthen guest loyalty.

Beverage Inventory & Cost Control

• Oversee beverage inventory, ordering, receiving, storage, and product rotation.
• Monitor beverage cost, pour cost, yields, waste, breakage, and product utilization.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and pars based on forecasted business.
• Conduct regular inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate portioning, recipe adherence, and responsible product handling.
• Monitor high-value spirits and specialty products.
• Partner with Beverage Leadership and Purchasing on product availability, ordering, and vendor coordination.
• Identify opportunities to improve beverage profitability without compromising quality.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and follow established JAG financial controls.

Scheduling & Labor Management

• Develop and maintain bar team schedules based on forecasted business levels.
• Monitor labor productivity, overtime, and staffing deployment.
• Manage shift coverage, breaks, call-outs, and staffing adjustments.
• Ensure appropriate coverage during peak periods, private events, and high-volume service.
• Partner with FOH leadership to maintain established labor targets.
• Review timekeeping and payroll information for accuracy as assigned.
• Balance operational efficiency with the staffing required to deliver exceptional hospitality.

Financial & Business Performance

• Support established beverage revenue, profitability, and operational goals.
• Monitor daily and weekly beverage sales performance.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through thoughtful recommendations, premium spirits, and beverage sales.
• Review product mix, beverage trends, and guest preferences.
• Partner with leadership on beverage pricing, cost controls, and profitability initiatives.
• Monitor comps, voids, discounts, and other financial controls.
• Participate in operational and financial meetings as required.
• Develop action plans to address opportunities in sales, cost, productivity, and service.

Events & VIP Experiences

• Partner with Event Sales and Operations teams to support private events, special celebrations, VIP experiences, and rooftop activations.
• Coordinate beverage needs for private events and special programming.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, product availability, equipment, and preparation for events.
• Support customized cocktail experiences and specialty beverage requests.
• Maintain exceptional service and presentation standards during high-profile events.
• Collaborate with hotel partners to ensure seamless event execution.
• Represent Nubeluz professionally during tastings, activations, and special events.

Safety, Sanitation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with NYC and New York State health, safety, and responsible alcohol service regulations.
• Maintain exceptional standards of bar cleanliness, organization, and sanitation.
• Ensure proper storage, labeling, dating, and rotation of beverage ingredients.
• Reinforce responsible alcohol service and appropriate guest safety procedures.
• Maintain safe operation and cleanliness of bar equipment.
• Monitor refrigeration, ice machines, glassware, tools, and other bar equipment.
• Communicate maintenance or repair needs promptly.
• Maintain readiness for health and safety inspections.
• Ensure compliance with JAG cash-handling, security, and operational policies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner closely with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Beverage Leadership, Culinary, and FOH teams.
• Maintain strong working relationships with The Ritz-Carlton hotel teams and property partners.
• Participate in leadership meetings, pre-shifts, beverage tastings, and operational reviews.
• Communicate product shortages, menu updates, service challenges, and operational needs proactively.
• Collaborate with Event Sales and Marketing on special programming and beverage initiatives.
• Support other JAG operations within the property as needed.
• Represent José Andrés Group and Nubeluz with professionalism in all interactions with guests, team members, and partners.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• 4–5+ years of progressive bar or beverage experience, including previous supervisory or management responsibility.
• Previous Bar Manager, Assistant Bar Manager, Beverage Manager, Lead Bartender, or comparable leadership experience preferred.
• Luxury hotel, upscale cocktail lounge, high-end rooftop bar, fine dining, or high-volume beverage operations experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, premium spirits, wine, and beverage service.
• Strong understanding of mixology techniques, cocktail preparation, presentation, and recipe consistency.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop bartenders and bar support teams.
• Strong knowledge of beverage inventory, ordering, pour cost, cost controls, and profitability.
• Experience managing scheduling, labor, and operational productivity.
• Exceptional guest service and hospitality skills.
• Polished, confident, and professional presence.
• Experience serving VIP, luxury, and high-profile clientele preferred.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain composed and decisive during high-volume service.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to exceptional beverage standards.
• Experience with POS, inventory, scheduling, and restaurant management systems preferred.
• Knowledge of responsible alcohol service requirements and applicable food safety standards.
• Positive, collaborative, hands-on leadership style with a genuine passion for beverage education and hospitality.
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.

Key Performance Indicators

Success as Bar Manager will be demonstrated through:

• Beverage revenue and sales performance
• Beverage cost and profitability
• Inventory accuracy and product utilization
• Labor cost and productivity
• Cocktail quality, consistency, and presentation
• Guest satisfaction and service standards
• Beverage service efficiency and ticket times
• Team training, engagement, and retention
• Product knowledge and ongoing beverage education
• Responsible alcohol service and regulatory compliance
• Successful execution of private events and VIP experiences
• Effective collaboration with FOH, Culinary, Beverage Leadership, and hotel partners

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including shifts of 8+ hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to approximately 40–50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, and repetitive movement.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume bar environment.
• Ability to work around bar equipment, refrigeration, glassware, and wet surfaces.
• Availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on business needs.
• Slip-resistant footwear required.

In Return, We Offer You

• Competitive base salary of $85,000–$90,000 per year
• Performance-based bonus eligibility
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits
• Retirement savings opportunities
• Paid time off
• Employee dining and partner discounts
• Beverage education, training, and professional development
• Leadership development and mentorship
• Career advancement opportunities throughout José Andrés Group
• The opportunity to lead a sophisticated beverage operation at one of New York City's premier rooftop destinations
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced culinary, beverage, and hospitality professionals in a luxury hotel environment

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.