Bartender — Pre-opening

Introduction and summary

We are seeking experienced, creative and service‑driven Bartenders to join the pre‑opening team of a licensed standalone venue in Dubai. This role is ideal for bartenders who combine technical cocktail craft with confident guest engagement, strict adherence to responsible service of alcohol, and strong operational discipline. As a key member of the beverage team you will shape the bar culture from launch — building signature cocktails, executing high‑volume service with precision, and mentoring junior bar staff during training and live shifts. The role balances flair with fundamentals: you must deliver consistent drink quality, maintain excellent bar mise en place, manage stock and cash procedures accurately, and contribute to an elevated guest experience that supports the venue’s positioning.

Key purpose of the role

• Deliver consistently excellent cocktails, drinks and beverage experiences that align with the venue’s beverage program and guest expectations.
• Maintain bar efficiency and product quality during every service period through disciplined mise en place, equipment care and quality control.
• Act as an ambassador for the brand by engaging guests confidently, offering recommendations and ensuring responsible service.
• Support opening activities: recipe build, tasting sessions, SOP creation, training and practical coaching for junior bar staff.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Prepare, mix and serve alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverages according to established recipes, portion control and presentation standards.
• Execute consistently high standards in classic cocktails, signature serves, beverage garnishing and drink presentation even under high volume.
• Maintain full bar mise en place: pre‑batching, juice and syrup preparation, garnish prep, glassware polishing and station readiness.
• Operate and care for bar equipment: speed rails, shakers, jiggers, blenders, POS terminals, and glassware; report faults and coordinate servicing.
• Monitor stock levels, assist with weekly stock takes, record wastage and contribute to ordering forecasts to prevent stock‑outs and control costs.
• Ensure safe and responsible service of alcohol at all times; refuse service politely when necessary and document incidents per SOP.
• Handle cash and POS transactions accurately, close out tills and follow cash handling and reconciliation procedures.
• Deliver polished guest interactions: upsell where appropriate, explain menu items, tailor recommendations to guest preferences and manage bar‑side complaints to resolution or escalate when necessary.
• Assist in menu development and seasonal beverage concepts; participate in tasting sessions and adjust recipes for cost, taste and speed of service.
• Train, mentor and assess junior bartenders and barbacks through practical coaching, shadow shifts and structured assessments.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards for the bar, storerooms and service areas in line with food safety regulations.
• Support opening/closing procedures, handovers and communication with FOH, kitchen and management for smooth service coordination.

Candidate requirements

• Minimum 2–4 years’ professional bartending experience in licensed venues; experience in standalone bars, cocktail lounges, fine‑dining with busy beverage programs, or high‑volume festive outlets is highly valued.
• Strong technical skills in classic cocktails, signature recipes, spirit knowledge, wine and beer basics and modern mixology techniques.
• Proven ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure while maintaining composure and a guest‑first attitude.
• Experience with beverage cost control, stock rotation (FIFO), and conducting stock takes; comfortable contributing to ordering and minimising wastage.
• Sound understanding of responsible alcohol service, local licensing regulations and incident reporting procedures.
• Familiarity with POS systems and basic cash handling/reconciliation processes.
• Excellent communication skills in English; additional language(s) advantageous for guest engagement.
• Strong sense of presentation, grooming and professional floor presence; reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to work evenings, late nights, weekends and public holidays as required for a licensed venue.
• Valid UAE work eligibility and ability to provide references from recent hospitality roles.

Skills and attributes that stand out

• Creative cocktail builder with a track record of developing guest‑tested menu items.
• Calm leader who coaches by example and raises service standards through practical mentorship.
• Meticulous organiser who keeps bar stations efficient and minimises service friction.
• Commercially aware: balances experimentation with cost control and speed of service.
• High emotional intelligence with an ability to read guests and tailor service accordingly.

Application process, location and benefits

To apply, email your CV and a short cover note to gm@paris-paradis.ae with the subject line: Bartender — [Your Full Name]. In your cover note include a 2‑line summary of your bartending experience, current notice period and earliest availability. Alternatively, visit careers.yalladuka.com for more details. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a phone pre‑screen, practical bar assessment and panel interview. Due to high application volumes, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

• Location: Dubai, UAE — pre‑opening for a licensed standalone venue (exact address confirmed during recruitment).
• Benefits (indicative): market‑aligned salary plus shift allowances where applicable, staff meals, medical coverage, career progression opportunities through pre‑opening advancement, and role‑dependent support for accommodation or transport where applicable.

Joining the bar team at pre‑opening offers rare ownership over beverage identity, rapid skill growth through concentrated training and the chance to build a high‑performance bar culture from day one. If you bring technical skill, creativity and a guest‑first mindset, we want to hear from you.