Lead Bartender
12 days ago
Sunnyvale
Job Description Hotel Name: M Social Sunnyvale Location: Onsite – Sunnyvale, CA Salary Range: $26.00 Hourly Join the Team at M Social Sunnyvale At M Social Sunnyvale, we don’t just welcome guests—we create moments, spark connections, and bring energy to every interaction. Designed for the young at heart, M Social delivers a bold and vibrant hospitality experience. About M Social Sunnyvale As the first ground-up M Social in the U.S., this innovative property features 263 rooms, a dynamic courtyard, and the signature Beast & Butterflies social hub. Located in Silicon Valley, the hotel blends technology, design, and social connectivity to create a unique guest experience. As part of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality leader with over 145 hotels across key destinations worldwide, our hotel is backed by a legacy of quality, consistency, and service excellence—driven by a passion for hospitality, an entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and a progressive, solutions-oriented approach." At Millennium, we are guided by our core values: • Passion for Hospitality – Delivering meaningful and memorable guest experiences, • Entrepreneurial – Taking ownership and acting with agility, • Innovation & Progressive – Continuously improving how we operate and serve, • Solutions & Results Oriented – Staying adaptable and focused on results These values shape how we work, how we lead, and how we create exceptional experiences for our guests and our teams. About the Role: As our Lead Bartender, you will help lead the bar experience at Beast & Butterflies, combining expert beverage knowledge with exceptional hospitality and team leadership. You will craft high-quality cocktails, support daily bar operations, and help guide the bartending team in delivering a consistent, energetic, and memorable guest experience. This role is ideal for an experienced bartender who leads by example, has strong knowledge of cocktails and beverage service, and thrives in a fast-paced, social environment. Your Impact – Beverage & Guest Experience You will serve as a key leader within the bar operation, helping ensure quality, consistency, efficiency, and exceptional guest service. Your leadership will help create an engaging atmosphere while supporting the team in meeting M Social's service and operational standards. What You'll Be Doing Beverage Service • Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages according to recipes and brand standards, • Create handcrafted cocktails while maintaining consistency, quality, and presentation, • Demonstrate strong knowledge of cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits, • Provide knowledgeable recommendations based on guest preferences, • Monitor beverage quality, presentation, and consistency throughout service, • Accurately process guest checks and payments using the POS system, • Practice responsible alcohol service and monitor guest alcohol consumption Leadership & Team Support • Lead by example and set the standard for exceptional bar service, • Support, coach, and mentor bartenders and barbacks during daily operations, • Help assign and prioritize tasks to ensure smooth service, • Communicate operational priorities and service expectations to the bar team, • Assist management with training and onboarding of new team members, • Provide feedback and escalate performance or operational concerns to management, • Help maintain a positive, collaborative, and social team environment Guest Experience • Welcome and engage guests with a warm, friendly, and confident approach, • Build rapport with guests and create personalized beverage experiences, • Anticipate guest needs and respond promptly to requests, • Handle guest concerns professionally and assist with service recovery when appropriate, • Create an energetic atmosphere that reflects the M Social brand, • Maintain professionalism while creating genuine social connections with guests Bar Operations • Oversee bar setup and readiness for service, • Ensure liquor, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, glassware, ice, and supplies are properly stocked, • Maintain cleanliness and organization of the bar and service areas, • Complete opening, closing, and side-work duties according to established procedures, • Assist with inventory counts, product rotation, and monitoring beverage levels, • Communicate product and supply needs to management, • Help ensure proper storage and handling of alcoholic beverages and supplies Team Collaboration • Work closely with Food & Beverage, Culinary, Banquet, and Management teams, • Coordinate beverage service during high-volume periods and special events, • Communicate effectively regarding guest requests, menu changes, and operational priorities, • Support restaurant and banquet beverage operations as needed, • Foster a team-first environment where employees support one another Safety & Compliance • Follow all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations, • Verify guest identification and comply with California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) requirements, • Handle cash and credit card transactions accurately and securely, • Follow company policies regarding responsible alcohol service, • Maintain a safe and sanitary bar environment, • Report maintenance, safety, or equipment concerns promptly Requirements • Passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences, • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, • Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced environment, • Strong multitasking, organizational, and problem-solving abilities, • Professional appearance and positive attitude, • Ability to coach and support team members, • Strong knowledge of beverage service and bar operations, • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and varying shifts Technical / Role-Specific Requirements • Minimum 2–3 years of bartending experience, preferably in a full-service restaurant, hotel, upscale bar, or lifestyle property, • Previous lead bartender or supervisory experience preferred, • Strong knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits, • Experience with craft cocktails and premium spirits, • Experience using point-of-sale (POS) systems, • Food Handler Card required or ability to obtain upon hire, • Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification required or ability to obtain as required by California law, • Ability to accurately handle cash and beverage transactions Preferred Qualifications • Previous hotel or lifestyle restaurant experience preferred, • Mixology training or cocktail certification is a plus, • Wine knowledge or WSET certification is beneficial, • Experience training and mentoring bartenders, • Experience with cocktail menu development is a plus, • Bilingual abilities are a plus Physical Requirements • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift, • Frequently lift and carry up to 35 pounds, • Ability to bend, reach, stock shelves, and move quickly in a busy bar environment, • Ability to safely handle glassware, beverage products, and bar equipment, • Comfortable working in a high-volume, guest-facing environment Education • High school diploma or equivalent preferred, • Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered Benefits At Millennium Hotels & Resorts, we support our employees with a competitive benefits package designed to promote wellbeing and long-term success: • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, • Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance, • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage, • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match (where applicable), • Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays, • Hotel Room Discounts across our global portfolio, • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Benefits eligibility and offerings are subject to plan terms and company policy. Why Join Us At Millennium Hotels & Resorts, you’re not just taking on a role—you’re joining a global organization committed to people, performance, and growth. Whether you’re supporting operations behind the scenes or delivering service on the front line, your work contributes to a culture focused on hospitality, collaboration, and results. If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow, contribute, and make an impact, we invite you to join our team.