A bar manager oversees the daily operations of a bar or pub, ensuring smooth service and customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include managing staff rotas, ordering stock and supplies, handling finances, and ensuring compliance with licensing laws and health and safety regulations. Bar managers also deal with customer complaints, train new staff, and help with promotions and marketing to attract new customers. The role often involves working late hours, especially during busy periods, and requires strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills. It is a sociable job for people who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
Bar managers in the UK typically earn between £20,000 and £35,000 per year, with experienced managers in busy venues earning up to £40,000.
There are approximately 38,000 pubs and bars in the UK, providing a steady demand for bar managers across the country.
Bar managers often work 35 to 48 hours per week, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Oversees the operation of a cocktail-focused bar, trains staff on mixology techniques, and ensures a high standard of customer service.
Manages the storage, rotation, and quality control of alcoholic beverages in the cellar, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
Plans and manages bar services for special events such as weddings or corporate functions, handling staffing, stock, and logistics.
Begin working in a bar as a bar assistant or bartender to gain practical experience in the industry.
Most Bar Managers start their careers by working as bar assistants or bartenders. This role involves serving drinks, interacting with customers, cleaning, and handling payments. It is essential to learn the basics of bar work, customer service, and team collaboration. Many employers offer on-the-job training, so formal qualifications are not always necessary to start.
Focus on providing excellent service and learning how to handle difficult situations with customers.
Strong customer service skills are vital in the hospitality industry. Pay attention to how experienced staff deal with complaints and difficult customers. Practise active listening, politeness, and professionalism at all times. Taking on extra responsibilities, such as helping to organise events or learning about different drinks, can also be beneficial.
Move up to a supervisory position to gain experience in managing staff and running shifts.
After gaining experience as a bartender, aim for a promotion to a supervisor or team leader role. These positions involve overseeing other staff, ensuring smooth running of shifts, and sometimes handling cashing up and stock control. Demonstrating responsibility, leadership, and reliability is key to progressing.
Get involved in ordering stock, managing inventory, and controlling budgets.
Supervisory roles often involve managing stock and monitoring sales. Learn how to order supplies, manage waste, and keep records of sales and expenses. Being able to work within a budget and maximise profits is a valuable skill for a future Bar Manager.
Look for job opportunities as a Bar Manager and prepare your CV to highlight relevant experience.
Once you have built up experience and proven your leadership skills, start applying for Bar Manager roles. Include examples of your supervisory experience, customer service, and any achievements such as increasing sales or improving team performance. Networking within the industry and speaking to your current employer about promotion opportunities can also be helpful.
Take relevant courses or qualifications to boost your knowledge and employability.
There are professional qualifications available, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, which is required to sell alcohol in the UK. Courses in hospitality management, health and safety, or business administration can also enhance your skills and make you a stronger candidate for management roles.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Bar Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Bar Manager's role involves overseeing the daily operations of a bar, managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and handling financial aspects. Similarly, a Restaurant manager is responsible for managing staff, operations, and customer experience within a food and beverage setting, making their qualifications closely aligned.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could work towards this role by applying to do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and continue with further training on the job.
You could also take a Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you've got supervisory experience in restaurant work.
You'll usually need:
You could move up to a management position after working as part of the restaurant staff, for example head waiter or kitchen manager.
With experience and qualifications you could take on more management responsibilities.
You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme. Many large restaurants and fast food chains run schemes that can lead to management jobs.
You'll usually need a university qualification to get a place. For example, a degree in hospitality management is useful but many employers will accept other subjects.
You can find out more about how to become a restaurant manager from Caterer.com.
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