Bartender

Here at Avli Winnetka, we are building a vibrant and welcoming space where great food, music, drinks, and hospitality come together. Inspired by courtyard gatherings and the Athenian hospitality scene of today, our goal is to create a place that feels lively, soulful, and deeply authentic from lunch through late evening. We are looking for team members who care about people in real time: individuals who are warm, observant, energetic, and able to make guests feel seen, comfortable, and genuinely taken care of without relying on scripted service. Our team believes hospitality is not performative, it comes from a place of authenticity, personality, attentiveness, and pride in creating memorable experiences together. Whether it's a family dinner, a celebratory night out, or guests enjoying one more quick bite or glass of wine, we want every interaction to feel approachable and full of life. Please email us your resume with a quick intro note, we look forward to meeting you! We encourage you to explore our website www.avliwinnetka.com and social channels @avliwinnetka to learn more about our philosophy, culture, and the experience we strive to create every day. Requirements & Qualifications 1-2+ years of bartending experience in a high-volume restaurant or cocktail-focused environment preferred BASSET and Food Handler Certification required (or ability to obtain upon hire) Passion for hospitality, cocktails, wine, spirits, food, and guest connection Warm, outgoing, confident personality with strong communication and interpersonal skills Ability to create a lively, welcoming, and memorable bar experience while maintaining professionalism and composure Strong knowledge of classic cocktails, spirits, beer, wine, and beverage service Ability to multitask efficiently and maintain organization in a fast-paced environment Experience with cocktail preparation, batching, fresh juices, syrups, garnishes, and bar prep preferred Strong sense of urgency, awareness, and attention to detail during service Ability to engage guests naturally while maintaining awareness of timing, service flow, and bar operations Experience with Toast POS or similar systems preferred Team-oriented mindset with willingness to support servers, hosts, runners, and kitchen staff Flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays Ability to stand for extended periods and safely lift/move bar products and equipment Professional appearance, strong hygiene, and polished hospitality standards Desire to grow professionally and contribute to a positive restaurant culture Responsibilities & Expectations Create a welcoming, energetic, and hospitality-driven bar experience for guests dining at the bar and throughout the restaurant Prepare cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages accurately and consistently according to house standards Guide guests through beverage selections with confidence, personality, and thoughtful recommendations Develop strong knowledge of all food, wine, cocktail, beer, and spirits offerings Maintain awareness of guest experience in real time and anticipate needs proactively Prepare juices, syrups, garnishes, batched cocktails, and other bar ingredients to Avli Winnetka standards Maintain cleanliness, organization, and proper stocking of all bar areas throughout service Monitor inventory levels and communicate restocking or product needs to management proactively Accurately enter orders into the POS system and process payments responsibly Follow all alcohol service laws, ID verification procedures, and responsible serving practices Collaborate closely with servers and kitchen staff to ensure smooth timing and seamless guest experiences Maintain composure, hospitality standards, and positive energy during high-volume service Participate in opening, closing, side work, deep cleaning, and bar maintenance responsibilities Help cultivate a bar atmosphere that encourages guests to relax, connect, celebrate, and stay awhile Contribute ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm toward the continued growth of the beverage program and guest experience Support teammates wherever needed and contribute to a respectful, positive, team-oriented culture