Head Bartender

Draughts is a trailblazer in experiential hospitality, redefining board games for a modern audience. Our mission is to entertain our customers with amazing food and drink whilst providing a healthy balance between the analogue and digital world. We do this by creating welcoming spaces that encourage people to be present and connect with each other, playing any of the 1000 unique board games on our shelves.

Our venues are uniquely designed to provide the perfect intimate atmosphere to enjoy our great service, food and drinks and games experience.

Purpose

As Head Bartender at Draughts, you lead the bar with confidence, creativity and care. You are responsible for ensuring every drink reflects our standards for quality, consistency and presentation. You set the tone behind the bar, keeping service smooth, the atmosphere upbeat, and the team motivated. You take ownership of bar operations, menu development, and stock management, supporting the General Manager in delivering both strong results and a memorable guest experience.

What You Will Do

You will set the standard behind the bar. Whether shaking cocktails, serving guests with genuine warmth, or guiding your team through a busy service, you are consistent, calm and attentive. You will take full ownership of ensuring the bar is well-stocked, organised and ready for service, with every product served to spec and to a high standard.

You will take the lead on menu creation and development, designing drinks that fit Draughts' identity while driving profitability. You will manage supplier relationships, cost new products, and ensure recipes are tested, documented and rolled out consistently across the team.

You will own bar stock from end to end by managing orders, deliveries, counts and wastage, maintaining strong cost control while ensuring quality never slips. You will train, coach and inspire your team to deliver great service and take pride in what they create.

You will champion the guest experience, taking pride in quick service, presentation and engagement. You will also support the General Manager in delivering new initiatives, maintaining compliance, and helping to create a space that feels both professional and fun.

What We Are Looking For

You are approachable, steady and confident under pressure. You combine creativity with discipline and you’re able to craft great drinks while keeping service efficient and consistent. You have experience running a busy bar, designing menus and managing stock from start to finish. You care deeply about people, both guests and your team, and know how to motivate others through respect and example.

You are commercially aware and understand how to balance creativity with profitability. You bring a sense of ownership to everything you do, keeping your bar sharp, your team motivated and your menu fresh. You stay composed when it gets busy and see every challenge as a chance to improve. Above all, you bring warmth, consistency and professionalism to every shift.

What You Get

At Draughts, you are part of a team that values creativity, curiosity and connection. We are a growing brand with big ideas, and you will have the chance to shape how we evolve. You will be supported in your development, encouraged to bring ideas to the table, and surrounded by people who care about what they do. We work hard, we learn together and we have a lot of fun doing it.

And yes, there are always games. Lots of games.

Pay: £16.50 -£17.00 OTE

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension

• Discounted or free food

• Employee discount