Lead Bartender

Description

For over 175 years, Chetola Resort has welcomed guests to a timeless mountain escape in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Serving as the gateway to beautiful Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Chetola is a luxury haven where adventure meets tranquility. The resort blends refined hospitality with immersive outdoor experiences—from Orvis®-endorsed fly fishing to award-winning dining, spa indulgence, and family-friendly recreation.

Under new ownership, we are entering an exciting chapter of thoughtful renewal, authentic elegance, and elevated guest service. Blowing Rock is home to some of the most luxurious residences in the Carolinas, and our year-round destination serves a discerning, affluent clientele.

Chetola Resort is seeking a polished, experienced, and service-driven Lead Bartender (full-time) to elevate the bar experience at Timberlake’s Restaurant and support beverage service across the resort’s event venues. The ideal candidate is a hospitality leader with exceptional bar knowledge, a passion for mixology, and a natural ability to connect with guests.

This role is both hands‑on and supervisory—leading bar standards, crafting outstanding seasonal beverages, driving the development of our cocktail menu and beverage program, mentoring a growing team, and ensuring smooth, consistent operations each day. It is an ideal position for a mixologist at heart: someone who loves cocktail design, flavor balance, and telling a story through every drink. As both a service professional and a key architect of our evolving bar identity, the Lead Bartender will play a vital role in shaping the next chapter of Chetola’s Food & Beverage program, which is entering an exciting new era of creativity and craft.

• Welcome guests with warmth, personality, and genuine connection.
• Prepare and present cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer with artistry and consistency.
• Execute house recipes with precision while contributing ideas for seasonal cocktails, signature drinks, and beverage enhancements.
• Create memorable experiences by educating guests on spirits, ingredients, and the story behind our offerings.
• Maintain a clean, polished, organized bar environment that reflects the elevated standard of a luxury resort.

• Lead the development of cocktail menus, seasonal features, and beverage program enhancements.
• Maintain detailed recipe documentation, prep standards, batching guides, and ingredient specifications.
• Oversee mise en place, bar prep, and ingredient quality—including syrups, infusions, garnishes, and juices.
• Identify new products, trends, and opportunities to elevate the beverage experience.

• Oversee ordering for bar products for Timberlake’s and all resort events, ensuring ideal stock levels, freshness, and alignment with beverage program goals.
• Maintain strong, positive relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Complete monthly beverage inventory in partnership with the Restaurant GM, ensuring accuracy and cost control.
• Responsibly use a company‑issued credit card in full compliance with Chetola’s purchasing and expense policies.
• Monitor product usage, minimize waste, and support beverage cost targets and operational efficiency.

• Train bartenders on recipes, tools, pouring accuracy, guest engagement, and speed of service.
• Lead by example, modeling elevated hospitality and mixology standards.
• Provide real‑time coaching and thoughtful feedback to develop a cohesive and high‑performing bar team.
• Assist with scheduling support, workflow improvements, and maintaining smooth bar operations.

• Operate the POS system accurately and efficiently, ensuring proper cash handling and check management.
• Verify identification and uphold responsible alcohol service in accordance with ABC regulations.
• Follow strict sanitation, hygiene, and equipment safety practices.
• Report issues, guest concerns, or equipment needs promptly to management.

• Partner with the Front of House, Culinary, and…