Assistant Head Bar Manager

Prologue is an independent bookshop at Weir Mill in Stockport, complete with a bar, speciality coffee shop and dedicated event space. A new concept for the North, in a huge, dedicated unit, Prologue is fast becoming the go-to destination for book lovers, coffee drinkers and culture seekers across the region.

We’re now looking for an experienced Assistant Head Bar Manager to join our team and help take our bar to the next level.

The bar is a major part of Prologue’s identity, serving wines, cocktails and drinks throughout the day and evening while supporting a busy programme of author talks, live events and community gatherings. This is a senior role with real ownership. You’ll help lead our drinks programme, run the bar day to day, and play a key part in shaping where it goes next.

We’re a young business with big ambitions, and this role comes with genuine room to grow. If you’re an accomplished bartender who’s ready for more responsibility and wants to help build something special, we’d love to hear from you.

For this role we are looking for someone to join us 0.8 to full-time. As the bar forms a major part of our evening offering, regular evening and weekend work will be required. Coffee, wine and cocktails are all served from the same bar, so from time to time you’ll also be on coffee, helping run daytime service.

• Help lead the bar operation at Prologue, taking ownership of quality, service and standards
• Run the bar day to day, leading shifts and taking full charge when the Bar Manager isn’t in
• Lead bar service during busy evenings and events, maintaining an excellent customer experience at all times
• Help develop and evolve our drinks programme, including wine, cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic offerings
• Create seasonal and event-led drinks specials that fit the atmosphere and identity of Prologue
• Build, refine and document the systems, standards and specs that keep the bar running smoothly
• Train and mentor the team on bar skills, setting the standard on every shift
• Manage stock, ordering and inventory for the bar
• Help manage supplier relationships and keep an eye on margins, pricing and wastage
• Ensure the bar operates fully in line with licensing regulations and responsible alcohol service
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, safety and organisation across the bar area
• Play a key role in our events programme, running bar service for author talks, book clubs, live music nights, private hire and more
• Work closely with the café and bookselling teams to create a seamless experience across the space
• Pick up coffee service when needed, especially during busy daytime periods
• Bring ideas that improve the bar experience and contribute to the wider direction of Prologue’s food and drink offering

What you’ll need

This is a senior role, so we’re looking for someone with:

• At least 3 years’ bar experience, ideally in a cocktail, wine or quality-led venue
• Previous experience in a supervisory or leadership role, such as Bar Supervisor, Head Bartender or Assistant Manager
• Strong cocktail skills and a good working knowledge of wine, beer and no and low options
• Experience training and developing a bar team
• Hands-on experience with stock management and ordering
• An understanding of GP, margins and pricing
• A Personal Licence, or willingness to obtain one shortly after starting
• Experience running bar service in a busy, high-volume environment, ideally including events
• Confidence on an espresso machine, or a willingness to learn (we’ll train you to our coffee standards)

Person description

Beyond experience, it’s the person that matters most to us. These core traits and behaviours are a good indicator of being a fit for our team across all roles:

• You love hospitality and take pride in creating great customer experiences
• You’re also partial to a good book
• You’re a great communicator who connects easily with people from all walks of life
• You’re ambitious and motivated to help build something successful
• You’re kind, friendly and enjoy creating welcoming environments
• You’re a self-starter who takes ownership and initiative
• You’re a natural team leader but also work well alongside others
• You have excellent attention to detail
• You bring creativity and ideas to the table
• You’re comfortable giving and receiving feedback
• You’re a quick learner who enjoys developing new skills
• You’re happy to roll up your sleeves and help wherever needed
• You’re professional and dependable
• You stay calm and focused under pressure
• You’re comfortable using technology and modern systems