Bartender – The Larder After Dark
Location: The Larder, 19 Harbour Street, Whitstable
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings
Role type: Permanent, year-round
Age requirement: Applicants must be aged 21 or over
Pay competitive + tips
About The Larder After Dark
The Larder After Dark is our intimate evening bar in the heart of Whitstable. Our customers come to us for high-quality cocktails, wines and other carefully selected drinks—but just as importantly, they come for the atmosphere, conversation and warm welcome.
We are proudly community-focused, serving our local regulars alongside visitors and holidaymakers. We want everyone who walks through the door to feel comfortable, recognised and well looked after.
The role
We are looking for a charismatic, friendly and dependable bartender to join our team on a permanent, year-round basis. This is not a seasonal position.
Previous cocktail-making experience would be welcome, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in someone who has a genuine enthusiasm for drinks, hospitality and learning how to make excellent cocktails.
Personality and people skills are central to this role. You must enjoy talking to customers, making recommendations and creating an atmosphere that encourages people to return. You should be able to read the room—knowing when customers want conversation and when they simply want to relax and enjoy their evening.
Key responsibilities
- Preparing and serving cocktails, wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks
- Learning and consistently following The Larder’s cocktail recipes and presentation standards
- Welcoming customers and providing friendly, knowledgeable service
- Talking confidently about our drinks and helping customers choose something they will enjoy
- Building relationships with local customers and creating a welcoming environment for visitors
- Helping to create the warm, sociable and relaxed atmosphere of The Larder After Dark
- Setting up the bar before service and cleaning and closing it properly afterwards
- Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, presentation and food hygiene
- Restocking drinks, glassware and other bar supplies
- Handling payments accurately and responsibly
- Following licensing requirements, including checking identification and refusing service when appropriate
- Working calmly and efficiently during busy periods
- Supporting colleagues and contributing positively to the wider Larder team
About you
You will be:
- Aged 21 or over
- Naturally warm, confident and engaging
- Comfortable starting conversations and building rapport with customers
- Genuinely interested in cocktails, wine and high-quality drinks
- Experienced in bartending or enthusiastic and committed to learning
- Reliable, punctual and available to work evenings and weekends
- Calm and organised when the bar becomes busy
- Attentive to detail and proud of the drinks you serve
- Responsible and familiar with the importance of licensing and responsible alcohol service
- A team player who is also confident working independently
- Interested in becoming a consistent, long-term member of The Larder community
What we offer
- A permanent, year-round role—not just seasonal employment
- Cocktail training and the opportunity to develop your drinks knowledge
- A friendly, independent and community-focused workplace
- The opportunity to help shape the personality and success of The Larder After Dark
- A varied customer base of local regulars and visitors to Whitstable
- Staff benefits and a competitive hourly rate, dependent on experience
To apply, please send us a short introduction explaining your experience, availability and why you would like to join The Larder After Dark.
Job Types: Part-time, Zero hours contract
Pay: £12.71-£13.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- Are you a people person? Do you enjoy working with people?
- How organised are you? Do you work well under pressure?
- Do you enjoy cocktails and have a passion or desire to learn more about cocktails?
Experience:
- Hospitality: 1 year (required)
- Customer service: 1 year (preferred)
Location:
- Whitstable CT5 1AQ (preferred)
Work Location: In person
