Assistant Bar Manager- Summer Festivals 2025

Job Title: Assistant Bar Manager

Job Overview:

As an Assistant Bar Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting our Bar Managers at festivals and events across the UK. You will help oversee the operations of a variety of bar setups, ranging from large-scale bars with over 100 staff to boutique VIP service areas, ensuring a seamless and high-quality customer experience. Flexibility is key, as your responsibilities will vary depending on the size and type of the bar.

Types of Bars You May Support:

-Large Bars: Managing teams of 60+ staff, often requiring coordination across multiple departments.

-Medium & Small Bars: More focused team management and support.

-Ale Bars: Involves tapping and racking of kegs, ensuring smooth beer dispensing.

-VIP/Boutique Bars: Premium customer service with table service elements.

-Brand Activation Bars: Managing bars for sponsors, ensuring brand alignment and premium service.

Key Responsibilities:

Your specific responsibilities will depend on the size and type of bar you’re supporting. Larger bars often require multiple Assistant Managers, each assigned to manage specific departments. Here are the core areas of responsibility:

Staffing Assistant Manager:

Sign-In/Out Procedures:
Assist with signing in and out bar staff to ensure accurate payroll, keeping track of hours worked.

Staff Breaks Coordination:
Ensure staff breaks are assigned fairly and efficiently, taking into account peak times to avoid service disruptions.

Staff Welfare:
Monitor the well-being of staff during their shifts. Communicate any incidents, accidents, or concerns to the Bar Manager.

Paperwork Compliance:
Ensure all staff sign the necessary paperwork when checking in or out, as advised by the Bar Manager.

Job Assignments:
Support the Bar Manager in assigning roles such as Till Operators, Servers, and Bar Backs.

Cellar Assistant Manager:

Kegs/Draught Equipment:
Train staff to safely and properly change kegs when they run out. Ensure a fresh keg is always ready for connection.

Packaged Items/Shelf Stocking:
Oversee Bar Backs responsible for maintaining stocked shelves, ensuring items are replenished promptly during busy periods.

Mobile Dispense Units (MDU) & Beer Pouring Machines:
Ensure these machines are staffed, and provide necessary training. Monitor beer temperatures to prevent wastage. Address any technical issues by notifying the Bar Manager for technician assistance. Please be advised that MDU training will be provided to yourself, should you have not had previous experience.

Lorry Management:
Monitor stock levels coming out of the truck, ensuring unopened items are returned. Communicate stock levels to the Bar Manager and assist with stock counts.

Techinical Assistant Manager:

Till Management:
Sign out tills to staff with proper documentation, ensuring till numbers are recorded and tracked.

Till Maintenance:
Charge and prepare unused tills for service. Ensure all tills are attended to and secured to avoid theft or loss.

Staff Training on Tills:
Train staff on how to use tills correctly, support with refunds, and address any till issues.

Monitor for Theft:
Ensure tills are not left unattended or in areas accessible to the public.

Licensing Compliance Support Manager:

All Assistant Managers are responsible for ensuring that licensing requirements are met. You will assist with the following:

ID Verification:
Ensure staff are checking ID for customers who appear under 25, and know the correct forms of ID we accept. Be available for support if staff are unsure.

Proxy Sales Awareness:
Be vigilant for groups who may send one person over the legal drinking age to purchase multiple drinks for underage individuals.

Monitoring Intoxication:
Identify signs of intoxication and ensure staff know when to refuse service. Escalate to the Bar Manager when necessary for assistance in refusal or when medical support is required.

Smaller Bar Responsibilities:

On smaller bars with fewer staff, your role may encompass multiple areas (stock, staffing, tech) in coordination with the Bar Manager. The complexity of operations will be reduced, but you will still be responsible for ensuring efficient operations across all key areas.

Qualifications and Skills:

-Experience in bar operations or a similar hospitality role, ideally within a festival or large-scale event environment.

-Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team.

-Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.

-Flexibility to adapt to various bar setups and dynamic event environments.

-Knowledge of stock management, customer service, and licensing regulations.

-Ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced settings.

Working Conditions:

This role requires working outdoors in various weather conditions, standing for long periods, and adapting to flexible schedules based on festival timings.

Operating Environment and Context: Our business is seasonal, with peak demand during the summer months—particularly between June and September. Many of our events take place outdoors, and camping is available for onsite events. Please note, for camping events, you’ll need to bring your own tent and camping gear.

How to Apply:
Please scroll down to complete the application form and upload your most recent CV. If your application meets our criteria, we will contact you to arrange an interview. Rate details will be shared during the interview process or upon successful employment.

Please note: Only apply if you meet the essential criteria for this role and are available for seasonal work in demanding outdoor environments.