Bartender (Wednesday-Saturday; Part-Time) Cafe Gimme Lake Forest, IL Job Details Part-time $18 - $30 an hour 8 hours ago Benefits Paid training Paid time off Qualifications Food service closing procedures Teamwork Café experience Interpersonal skills Processing cash transactions Full Job Description Bartender (Part-Time) Cafe Gimme is an all-day café and evening wine and liquor bar, with locations in Chicago and Lake Forest. By day, we serve coffee, smoothies and bowls, cold-pressed juices, and small food plates. In the evening, the space transforms into a relaxed, neighborhood-driven wine and cocktail destination. We hold a high standard of hospitality, product quality, and consistency across the business, and our team reflects that commitment. The Role We are hiring a part-time Bartender. You'll run the evening side of our operation — pouring wine and beer, executing cocktails to recipe, and setting the tone for the room from the moment guests sit down. This is not a high-volume nightclub role. We expect care, conversation, and consistency. The ideal candidate is genuinely interested in wine and cocktails as crafts, takes pride in execution, and treats every guest as a regular in the making. Bartenders who are curious about the café side — espresso, smoothies, juice — are encouraged to say so. We cross-train, and additional shifts are often available for team members who want them. Responsibilities Bar service. Pour wine and beer to standard. Execute cocktails to recipe with consistency, including multi-step drinks under volume. Set up the bar before service (ice, garnishes, glassware, mise-en-place) and break it down to standard at close. Guest engagement. Greet every guest warmly. Guide guests through the wine list and cocktail menu with confidence and genuine knowledge. Make recommendations based on their preferences. Build relationships with regulars across visits. Responsible alcohol service. Verify IDs on every alcohol service without exception. Recognize and handle over-service situations professionally. Comply with all Illinois liquor laws and Cafe Gimme service standards. Maintain BASSET certification at all times. Product knowledge. Maintain working knowledge of every wine, beer, and spirit we carry, plus a working familiarity with the food menu. Stay current with menu changes and seasonal additions. Participate in tastings and ongoing education. Operations and teamwork. Communicate clearly during service. Support inventory counts and ordering input. Handle closing duties, including cleaning, restocking, and cash handling per procedure. Help train new team members as the team grows. Qualifications 1+ year of bartending experience, or comparable experience in café, bar, or restaurant hospitality with demonstrated cocktail ability. Working fluency with wine, beer, and cocktails — service standards, build order, and balance. Willingness to keep learning. Strong interpersonal skills and a natural hospitality instinct. Reliable, professional, and steady under pressure. Comfortable on your feet for full shifts, lifting up to 40 lbs, and working in a confined café and bar space. Available for a consistent part-time schedule of evening and weekend shifts. Evening shifts typically run until 10 p.m. Must be 21 or older and legally eligible to serve alcohol in Illinois. BASSET certification required before first shift serving alcohol. Illinois Food Handler certification required within 30 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits Location:

Lake Forest, IL Pay:

17- 30 per hour, based on experience, plus tips.

Schedule:

Part-time, approximately 10-30 hours per week. Evenings and weekends required.

Benefits:

Tip share Paid training Staff discount on food, beverages, and retail items BASSET and Illinois Food Handler certification paid for by Cafe Gimme Ongoing wine and cocktail education, including supplier tastings and menu development sessions Flexible scheduling within posted availability

Work Location:

In person Equal Opportunity Cafe Gimme is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, arrest record, conviction history (consistent with the Illinois Human Rights Act), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to let us know.

Pay:

$18.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

Paid time off

Work Location:

In person