Lead Bartender - Circle Bar

Highgate Hotels is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality‑forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.

Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry‑leading revenue management tools to efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics, driving out performance and maximizing asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel‑management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands.

Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle.

The Lead Bartender is responsible for crafting exceptional beverage experiences through expert mixology, refined service, and polished hospitality. This role requires mastery of classic and contemporary cocktail techniques, deep product knowledge, and the ability to create personalized guest experiences in a luxury service environment. The Lead Bartender ensures the bar is impeccably organized, efficiently operated, and consistently aligned with the hotel’s elevated standards of excellence.

The Lead Bartender plays a leading role in the department by supporting management and guiding and supervising other associates during their shifts.

• Assist the Bar Manager with training, motivating, coaching associates, and maintaining quality control of department standards.
• Actively participate in menu creation and roll out.
• Prepare and serve cocktails, wine, spirits, and non‑alcoholic beverages following luxury standards and precise recipes.
• Provide warm, engaging, and anticipatory hospitality to all guests at the bar and in dining areas.
• Execute proper mise‑en‑place: restock spirits, wines, mixers, garnishes, ice, glassware, and bar tools.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the bar, ensuring compliance with health, sanitation, and safety regulations.
• Engage with guests to recommend cocktails, spirits, and food pairings based on preferences.
• Ensure cash handling, POS entries, and beverage charging are accurate and compliant with hotel policies.
• Collaborate with the barback and server team to ensure efficient operations and timely service.
• Prepare syrups, infusions, fresh juices, garnishes, and house‑made components to program standards.
• Handle guest concerns or requests promptly, professionally, and with discretion.
• Support service staff during high‑volume periods to maintain seamless guest experiences.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

• High school diploma or equivalent and/or experience in a hotel or a related field preferred.
• Must be of legal age to serve alcoholic beverages, according to local state laws.
• Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
• Medium work – able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Ability to stand for the entire shift.
• Previous bartending experience.
• Previous experience supervising others preferred.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Capable of maximizing efforts toward productivity, identifying problem areas, and assisting in implementing solutions.