BAR SUPERVISOR
Full-time | Evening & Late-Night Work | Live-In or Live-Out
About the role
The Queenshilling is looking for a hands on, organised and experienced Bar Supervisor to take responsibility for the day to day running, organisation, cleanliness and standards of our busy nightclub bar.
This is a practical role for someone who takes genuine pride in their workplace and understands that a well-run bar doesn't happen by itself.
You will be responsible for keeping the bar spotlessly clean, fully stocked, organised and ready for service, while supervising, supporting and training the bar team.
We are looking for someone who takes ownership.
If something needs doing, you do it.
If something isn't clean, you clean it.
If stock is running low, you deal with it.
If a member of staff doesn't know how to do something properly, you show them.
If standards aren't being met, you address them.
This is not a role for someone who waits to be told what to do.
Key Responsibilities
Bar Operations
- Take day to day responsibility for the organisation and running of the bar.
- Ensure the bar is fully prepared before opening.
- Ensure the bar remains clean, organised and properly stocked throughout service.
- Keep all bar areas, equipment, fridges, shelves, storage areas, glassware areas and work surfaces clean and organised.
- Ensure glasses, bottles, mixers, garnishes and other bar supplies are available and correctly stored.
- Keep the bar organised so staff can work quickly and efficiently during busy periods.
- Identify problems with equipment, stock or the working environment and report them promptly.
- Make sure the bar is properly handed over between shifts.
- Act as the day-to-day point of contact for bar staff during service.
End of Night Cleaning & Closing
The Bar Supervisor will have a particular responsibility for ensuring the bar is properly cleaned and closed down after service.
The job does not finish simply because the last customer has left.
The Supervisor may be required to remain on site after closing to inspect the bar and ensure the required standards have been achieved.
This will include:
- Checking the entire bar after the closing team has completed its duties.
- Checking bar tops, floors, sinks, drip trays, bar mats, bottle wells, speed rails and working areas.
- Checking underneath and around bar equipment.
- Ensuring glasses and equipment have been properly cleaned and stored.
- Ensuring fridges and bottle storage areas are clean and organised.
- Ensuring rubbish and waste have been dealt with correctly.
- Checking that no old drinks, spilled beer, food waste or other contamination has been left behind.
- Ensuring no sticky, dirty or unhygienic areas are left for the following shift.
- Making sure the bar is left in a spotlessly clean and organised condition.
- Instructing staff to rectify anything that has not been completed properly.
- Completing outstanding tasks themselves where necessary.
- Reporting repeated failures to meet cleaning standards to management.
The successful candidate will be expected to check the work rather than simply assume it has been done.
---
Stock Control
- Carry out regular stock checks and minor stock counts.
- Monitor levels of spirits, beers, wines, soft drinks, mixers and other consumables.
- Identify shortages, wastage, damaged stock or unusual discrepancies.
- Assist with full stock takes and reconciliation.
- Rotate stock and ensure it is stored correctly.
- Assist with preparing stock requirements.
- Check deliveries and ensure stock is correctly stored.
- Report missing, damaged or incorrect deliveries.
- Keep stock rooms, fridges and storage areas organised.
- Ensure the bar has sufficient stock for upcoming events and busy periods.
---
Staff Supervision & Training
A major part of this role will be training and developing the bar team through hands on, on the job training.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supervise bar staff during shifts.
- Lead by example.
- Provide practical training to new and existing staff.
- Demonstrate the correct way to carry out bar duties rather than simply telling people what to do.
- Train staff in cleaning, closing procedures, stock handling, glass handling and general bar operation.
- Make sure new staff understand the standards expected from day one.
- Monitor staff performance and address poor standards immediately.
- Correct poor working practices and explain the correct procedure.
- Help staff become confident and competent behind the bar.
- Identify additional training requirements and report them to management.
- Encourage staff to take responsibility for their own working area.
- Make sure cleaning and closing procedures are actually followed.
- Support staff during busy periods and help keep the team organised.
The Bar Supervisor should be someone the team can look to for direction, support and training.
---
Cleanliness & Hygiene
Cleanliness will be a major responsibility of this position.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain and enforce exceptionally high standards throughout the bar.
Particular attention should be paid to areas that are often overlooked, including:
- Bar tops and working surfaces.
- Bar mats and drip trays.
- Bottle wells and speed rails.
- Sinks and glass-washing areas.
- Fridges and bottle storage.
- Shelving and cupboards.
- Floors.
- Areas underneath and behind bar equipment.
- Glassware storage.
- Waste and recycling areas.
- Staff and storage areas.
The Supervisor should be someone who notices dirt, spills, smells, sticky surfaces, waste and poor standards without needing to be told.
---
Cashing Up & Administration
- Assist with cashing-up and end-of-shift procedures.
- Ensure tills and cash-handling procedures are followed correctly.
- Report discrepancies or problems to management.
- Assist with stock records and basic bar administration.
- Complete cleaning, stock and operational check sheets accurately.
- Ensure relevant records are maintained.
---
Health & Safety
- Follow and enforce the venue's health and safety procedures.
- Ensure staff understand safe working practices.
- Report hazards, accidents, damaged equipment and maintenance issues.
- Keep working areas and walkways clear.
- Follow COSHH procedures when using cleaning chemicals.
- Support management with required safety and operational records.
- Ensure staff follow the venue's procedures for dealing with incidents and emergencies.
---
Our Community & Heritage
The Queenshilling has a long and proud history as an LGBTQ+ venue and is an important part of Bristol's LGBTQ+ nightlife community.
We are looking for someone who understands, respects and genuinely supports the LGBTQ+ community and who will help maintain the welcoming, inclusive and safe environment that the Queenshilling is known for.
Previous experience working within LGBTQ+ venues, events or community environments would be highly valued, as would a genuine understanding of the culture, history and importance of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Above all, we want someone who is comfortable working with a diverse team and customer base and who treats everyone with respect.
The Queenshilling's ethos is simple:
No racists. No homophobes. No arseholes.
We expect everyone working here to uphold those standards.
---
The Person We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is:
- Hands on and hardworking.
- Naturally clean and tidy.
- Extremely organised.
- Reliable and responsible.
- Confident supervising other people.
- Comfortable giving instructions.
- Comfortable correcting poor standards.
- Able to train people through practical, on-the-job training.
- Able to work independently without constant supervision.
- Proactive rather than waiting to be told what to do.
- Able to prioritise during busy periods.
- Comfortable working late nights and weekends.
- Able to remain calm and organised when the venue is extremely busy.
- Someone who notices problems and deals with them.
- Someone who takes genuine pride in their workplace.
- Someone who takes personal ownership of the condition and operation of the bar.
- Prepared to stay after closing when required to ensure standards have been achieved.
Previous experience as a Bar Supervisor, Assistant Manager, Bar Manager, Head Bartender or similar would be advantageous.
Experience in a busy nightclub environment would be particularly valuable.
---
The Right Attitude
This is a "make it happen" role.
If the bar is dirty, you deal with it.
If the stock is running low, you deal with it.
If a member of staff doesn't know what they are doing, you show them.
If someone hasn't cleaned properly, you put it right and make sure they understand what is expected next time.
If the fridge needs organising, you organise it.
If the closing team has left the bar in a poor condition, you don't simply walk away because your shift is technically finished.
You make sure the job is done properly.
We want someone who takes ownership, pride and responsibility for the bar and becomes the person the team relies on to keep standards high.
---
Working Relationship
The Bar Supervisor will work alongside the General Manager and wider management team and will have responsibility for the day-to-day supervision, organisation and standards of the bar team.
This is an operational and hands on position.
The successful candidate will be expected to actively manage, support, train and work alongside the bar team rather than simply supervise from a distance.
---
Accommodation
The position may be available on either a:
Live In or Live Out Basis
The live in option may suit someone who wants to be closely involved with the operation of the venue.
Accommodation would be subject to availability and a separate agreement.
Living on site does not mean the employee is permanently on call. Working hours, responsibilities and rest periods will be agreed separately and in accordance with applicable employment requirements.
---
Position Details
Job Title: Bar Supervisor
Location: Queenshilling, Bristol
Reports To: General Manager / Management Team
Responsible For: Day-to-day supervision, training and standards of the bar team
Hours: Evening, late-night and weekend work required
Accommodation: Live-in or live-out option may be available
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Most importantly...
We are looking for someone who will take ownership of the bar.
Someone who will walk into work and immediately see what needs doing.
Someone who will train the team, maintain standards, keep the bar spotless, control stock, deal with problems and make sure the job is finished properly at the end of the night.
If you are the sort of person who doesn't walk past a problem because "it's not my job", this could be the role for you.
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
