Bartender Expectations & Guidelines

Introduction

Welcome to Varsity Tavern Team! Listed below are the expectations and guidelines of a Bartender. Rules and regulations may be modified or added at the discretion of the Management Staff, at any time, and you will be properly notified of those changes. If there are any questions, comments or concerns about policies or procedures, please contact Management immediately for clarification.

Bartender Duties

The Bartender is responsible for providing the highest quality of an experience possible to each of our guests by offering friendly service, anticipating and accommodating our guests’ needs, and being efficient in a timely manner while maintaining a thorough knowledge of guest customer service and sales. Bartenders are as well Brand Ambassadors who represent our venues and our company as a whole. Marketing requirements do apply and certain level of sales are required. The job description and duties may be modified by management at any time.

Safety

Bartenders wear numerous hats, and one of them is most importantly maintaining a safe and fun environment. Although Varsity Tavern is a bar, we still see patrons during earlier hours that are not of age (21+) to consume alcohol. It is the bartenders job to ask for ID from all persons prior to security coming in to check at the door. Even at this time, if a bartender feels the guest requesting a drink may not be at least 21 years or older, they must card again. Throughout the night it is expected by us and by law that bartenders keep aware of what has been served to each individual. If a bartender feels a guest has had too much to drink, or seems off, it is your duty to stop serving the guest and get a hold of security to assess the situation. Also you must remember to keep watch for those 21 and over passing liquor to those who are not.

Scheduling

Staff is required to adhere to the work week as directed by management. Extra hours and changes in the schedule may be required based on business demands or by the request of management.

Schedules are based on a 1-2 week working period and are issued at least one week prior. Once the schedule is released, changes may be made based on the discretion of management or business demands.

Failure to Meet Sales Goals

Every Bartender is expected to produce a certain level of business in accordance to business levels during their shift and their given location based upon averages. In the event that a Bartender consistently underperforms on a certain shift or location, coaching and/or progressive discipline may occur. Management has the right to make alterations to the schedule based on business levels.

Attendance

All Varsity Tavern team members are required to adhere to attendance guidelines set forth. This means following proper procedure in the attendance section of the team member handbook.

Dress/Attire

Bartenders are in proper Varsity Tavern dress. This includes a Varsity Tavern branded shirt, and approved bottom. Wearing Team Branded attire on game days, or special events will be approved on a case by case basis. The dress code may be monitored and adjusted by management.

Professionalism

Bartenders as mentioned, are ambassadors of the Varsity Tavern brand. The Bartender is often the first or primary point of contact to assist guests. Bartenders are required to service guests professionally at all times. Listed below are some guest service requirements for Bartenders to adhere to.

  • All guests must be acknowledged with eye contact and/or greeting

  • All guests must be approached with a professional greeting within a close distance

  • During operational, working hours, Bartenders must be aware of their surroundings, and making sure guests are attended to

  • Phone Usage is allowed as we want you to be able to interact with friends or people interested in attending. We do ask that phones come second to guests in the venue, so make your phone usage quick. When using your phone, make sure you keep an eye on entrances, and guests. If phone usage overage becomes an issue, proper Disciplinary action make take place.

Responsibilities

Bartenders are responsible for many duties within the designated shift. Listed below are some of the duties that may be required throughout each shift:

  1. Helping with set up of yard area

  2. Cleaning up of spills/garbage on the other side of the bar as well

  3. Assisting guest requests

  4. Providing guest service in the guest areas.

  5. Assisting with clearing tables, or cleaning if needed

  6. Opening and closing assistance

  7. Set-up and breakdown assistance

Social Media

Posting on social media accounts is required for all Customer Service positions. Promotion of Varsity Tavern and events must include all requested actions from Social Media handout.

Upselling Guests

Upselling is critical to ensuring our guests are satisfied and their needs are being met.  All guests who walk-in should be approached about the possibility of ordering food as well as drinks, table service during nightlife hours, participating in any events that may be going on, as well as normal Upselling procedures.

Summary

We are very proud to welcome all Bartenders to the team. We are confident that our standards can be met and achieved based on the candidates we selected for the position. Please contact management at any time for clarification or to answer any needs.