FRIENDS OF OURS – SERPENTINE
Food & Beverage Department
Job Description — Head Barista & Bartender
Location: Friends of Ours – Serpentine Pavilion, London
Reports to: Bar Manager, AGM, GM
Department: Food & Beverage
Role Purpose
As Head Barista at Friends of Ours Serpentine, you'll lead the day-to-day running of the bar, setting the standard for cleanliness, organisation and professionalism behind it. You'll take ownership of opening and closing routines, checklist completion and team readiness, while preparing and serving excellent coffee and drinks yourself. Working in a quality-focused environment at one of London's most iconic locations, you'll be responsible for making sure the bar operates to the highest standard every shift clean, well-stocked, punctual and guest-ready.
Key Responsibilities
Bar Operations, Cleanliness & Standards
- Take ownership of the bar's cleanliness and organisation before, during and after every service, holding yourself and the team to a high standard.
- Complete and oversee opening, closing and shift-change checklists, ensuring every task is signed off and nothing is missed.
- Maintain a rigorous cleaning and maintenance routine across all equipment, surfaces, fridges and floors.
- Uphold hygiene and food safety guidelines at all times and hold the team accountable to the same.
- Ensure the bar is fully set up, stocked and service-ready ahead of opening — never playing catch-up once guests arrive.
Punctuality & Professionalism
- Lead by example on timekeeping, arriving ready to start and ensuring the team does the same.
- Set the tone for a professional, focused working environment behind the bar.
- Maintain high standards of personal presentation, conduct and attitude throughout every shift.
- Take responsibility for the bar in the absence of senior management, making sound decisions under pressure.
Coffee & Beverage Quality
- Set and maintain the standard for all espresso-based drinks, ensuring correct extraction, milk texture and presentation across the team.
- Dial in coffee at the start of each shift and throughout the day, adjusting for consistency as conditions change.
- Prepare and serve coffee, cocktails, wines and soft beverages to a consistently high standard, and uphold recipes and specs across the team.
- Ensure drinks leave the bar promptly and correctly during peak service, stepping in to support flow when needed.
Team Leadership & Training
- Train, coach and support the bar team on standards, technique, cleanliness and service.
- Lead by example on the bar, setting the pace and tone during service.
- Communicate priorities clearly and keep the team aligned throughout each shift.
- Support the senior team with feedback on performance, reliability and development.
Stock & Ordering
- Monitor stock levels, anticipate needs and coordinate ordering with the senior team.
- Ensure correct stock rotation (FIFO), proper storage and accurate labelling.
- Manage waste through careful handling, portioning and team awareness of usage.
Service & Guest Experience
- Deliver and model friendly, confident service that reflects the Friends of Ours approach to hospitality.
- Engage positively with guests and handle feedback professionally, resolving issues where possible.
- Work collaboratively with bar and floor teams to keep service running smoothly.
What We're Looking For
- Solid experience behind a busy bar, ideally with some leadership or training responsibility.
- A meticulous, organised approach with genuine pride in a clean, well-run bar.
- Reliability and punctuality — someone the team and management can depend on.
- Strong espresso technique and a genuine interest in beverage quality across coffee, cocktails and wine.
- A calm, professional and confident presence, especially under pressure.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to lead, motivate and hold a team to standard.
What We Offer
- £14.50 per hour base pay + Tronc
- Participation in the company tronc scheme, currently averaging approximately £3,500 per year
- A full-time role at the Serpentine Pavilion in Hyde Park
- A supportive team culture within a quality-focused coffee and hospitality environment
Service charge is distributed through an independent tronc system and amounts may vary depending on business performance and hours worked.
Pay: £14.50 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
