Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced

Bar Manager

to oversee the daily operations of our busy immersive theatrical dining experience 'The Murder Express' set in 1920's East London.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, extensive experience in restaurant and bar environments, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. This role involves managing a team, ensuring beverage quality, maintaining safety standards, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests. The successful applicant will play a pivotal role in driving the success of our venue through effective supervision, operational excellence and menu creation.

We are a creative company and encourage immersive creativity within our venue. Our current venue has a small bar team of 3-4 but we are looking at moving to a larger venue this year which would increase the size of our bar team. Experience of setting up a bar from scratch would be advantageous or the confidence or interest to do so.

Duties

Oversee all aspects of bar operations, including stock management, ordering, and inventory control. Supervise and motivate staff, including bartenders, servers, and kitchen personnel, to ensure high standards of service. Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and maintain cleanliness standards across all areas. Coordinate with kitchen staff on food preparation and presentation to deliver a seamless dining experience. Coordinate with Venue Manager, Front of House Manager, Kitchen Management, Stage Management and Box Office Coordinator Reporting to Head of Operations Develop and implement staff rotas, training programmes, and performance evaluations. Manage customer relations by addressing complaints promptly and ensuring guest satisfaction. Monitor sales figures and financial reports to optimise profitability. Maintain a safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations.

Experience

Proven supervisory experience within a restaurant or hospitality setting Extensive knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and food safety standards. Experience in managing team dynamics within fast-paced environments such as restaurants or hotels. Strong background in food production, kitchen operations, and hospitality services. Familiarity with serving protocols, barista experience is advantageous but not essential. Demonstrable leadership qualities with excellent organisational skills. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional to lead our team while delivering outstanding service in a vibrant setting. We value individuals who are passionate about hospitality, possess strong leadership qualities, and are committed to maintaining high standards of quality and safety across all operations. Ensure bar service does not interfere with show timing or guest movement

Role Specifics

Oversee VIP arrivals, service changeovers, and guest flow Act as first point of escalation for bar-related guest issues: Refunds Complaints Intoxication Accessibility Allergens VIP requirements

Cashless & Tab Management

Manage QR-based and tab-based payments via Yoello-integrated EPOS Track and resolve: Open tabs Walkouts Delayed or failed refunds Collect guest contact details where required for payment follow-up or refund confirmation

Team Leadership During Service

Provide floor leadership and real-time support to bartenders Ensure staff remain at stations and are not pulled away by avoidable issues Maintain drink quality, presentation, and pace Support service flow during high-pressure periods

End-of-Show & Reset Duties

Oversee bar reset and platform changeover between show journeys Ensure readiness for subsequent shows Confirm cleanliness, stock readiness, and staff preparedness

Weekly Responsibilities - Staffing & Rotas

Plan rotas using: Availability spreadsheets Forward planning (1 month) Weekly confirmation and Monthly distribution Deploy agency staffing as needed: Primary: iZero Secondary contingency: Brigad, Temper Respond to sickness, lateness, and last-minute changes using agency cover where required

Stock & Operations

Place and manage stock orders Monitor stock levels and anticipate shortages Conduct weekly equipment and operational checks Coordinate weekly deep cleaning (typically Sundays)

Management Communication

Attend and contribute to venue and operations meetings Monitor management and bar-team WhatsApp groups for emerging issues Resolve outstanding guest or operational issues from the week

Monthly Responsibilities - Financial Tracking & Reporting

Record daily revenue into the internal cost tracker Calculate and track the 12.5% service charge: Deducted from daily gross revenue Logged for monthly allocation and redistribution Monitor EPOS product sales data to assess: Best-performing items Underperforming items Menu optimisation opportunities

Payroll & Hours Tracking

Track hours worked by directly contracted bar staff Submit verified hours monthly to Operations and Payroll teams Liaise with management for confirmation and sign-off

Systems & Documentation Ownership

The role maintains and uses multiple operational systems, including:

EPOS & Yoello-integrated tab/refund system Cost tracker spreadsheet Availability and rota spreadsheets Agency staffing platforms (iZero, Brigad, Temper)
The role also oversees onboarding and compliance documentation:

Cocktail specifications Allergen documentation (digital and physical) Alcohol authorisation forms Bar signage and internal reference materials

Training & Standards

Train new staff with a speed-first but quality-controlled approach Gradually increase cocktail complexity and pace expectations Ensure new bartenders are fully operational within approximately one month Reinforce immersion standards, including dress, behaviour, and movement

Compliance & Hygiene

Ensure alcohol licensing compliance through staff authorisation Maintain allergen visibility and accuracy Enforce daily cleaning standards Oversee weekly deep cleans and hygiene consistency

Operational Risk Awareness

Key operational risks managed within the role include:

Staff shortages during live service Equipment failure (e.g. glasswashers, water pressure) Service delays impacting show timing Decline in drink quality or presentation Guest dissatisfaction leading to complaints or negative reviews

Venue Transition Responsibility

As the business prepares for a venue move, the role expands to include:

Adapting bar operations to multiple bar points Adjusting staffing models and workflows Preparing for a broader customer base (theatre guests + walk-ins) Preserving effective existing systems while identifying improvements Avoiding premature system changes until sufficient operational data is gathered

Role Characteristics & Working Style

This role is:

Fully hands-on and floor-based Decision-led and fast-paced People-focused, requiring emotional intelligence and calm authority Operational rather than administrative in nature
The role does

not

function as a desk-based management position.

Summary

Live service leadership Staff management and training Financial oversight System ownership Operational problem-solving Future-readiness for venue expansion It is a critical operational role that directly affects guest experience, show flow, team performance, and financial control.

Role Purpose

The Bar Manager holds full operational responsibility for the bar function within a live immersive theatre environment. The role exists to ensure that bar operations

support and enhance the show experience

without disrupting timing, flow, or immersion.

This role is hands-on, floor-based, and leadership-driven. It combines

live service management

,

staff leadership

,

financial control

, and

system ownership

, with increasing responsibility for

building and adapting bar systems

, particularly in preparation for a future venue move.

Operational Context

The bar operates within a time-critical live theatre setting Service must be fast, controlled, and invisible to the show's rhythm Operations repeat multiple times per day: Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays: 2 show journeys Saturdays: 4 show journeys The bar currently services show attendees only, with future plans to support: Walk-in trade Multiple bar points (platform bar + train-only service bar)
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 35,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person