Bartender
Company : Highgate
Location : New York, NY, 10036
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 6 January 2026
Compensation Type
HourlyHighgate Hotels
Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.
Location
Edging the bright lights of Broadway and the calm of Bryant Park, The Knickerbocker is a legendary New York landmark reborn as the first luxury hotel in Times Square. Filled with fabled legends, The Knickerbocker once played host to legendary political bigwigs, actresses, oil tycoons and sports figures—and it’s rumored the martini was invented here in the hotel. While historic details like the hotel’s gorgeous Beaux-Arts facade remain unchanged, a soothing new luxury aesthetic is offered within. The stunning transformation of this treasured Manhattan monument invites discerning travelers to discover 300 luxe guestrooms and suites boasting incredible views and bespoke furnishings. An air of posh authenticity embraces New York City’s premier luxury lifestyle hotel.
Overview
The Bartender is responsible for the complete set up of the bar area and the mixing of drinks for all guests and servers. Need to maintain the service and cleanliness of the bar area, ensuring quality service, guest satisfaction and control over liquor inventory.
Responsibilities
- Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
- Employees must at all times be attentive, friendly, helpful, and courteous to all guests, managers and fellow employees.
- Set up the bar according to hotel standards and ensure that guests are served promptly and efficiently.
- Prepare beverages and cocktails according to the hotel’s mixing and presentation standards.
- Serve guests with all beverage requirements in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
- Break down bar after the completion of functions, storing liquor, supplies and equipment according to the hotel’s standards.
- Follow all state liquor laws.
- Know hotel services and facilities.
- Abide by all hotel policies and safety rules.
- Follow prescribed procedures in serving liquor with care to avoid problems with intoxicated guests.
- Respond to guests’ problems, complaints and accidents.
- Be familiar with all fire exit locations and fire extinguisher locations and know how to operate.
- Ensure that the bar and service areas are kept clean and tidy during service.
- Ensure overall guest satisfaction.
Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent and/or experience in hotel or a related field preferred.
- Flexible and long hours sometimes required.
- Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- Ability to stand during entire shift.
- Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
- Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
- Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
- Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
- Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
- Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which includes wearing the proper uniform and nametag.
- Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
- Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
- Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
- Must be able to understand and apply complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
- Must be able to cross-train in other hotel related areas.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
- Must be able to show initiative, including anticipating guest or operational needs.
- Perform other duties as requested by management.
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Frequently asked questions
New York City hosts a highly competitive bartending scene due to its vibrant nightlife and hospitality demand. Bartender roles, especially in luxury hotels like Highgate's Knickerbocker, attract many skilled candidates, so demonstrating mixology skills and guest service excellence is essential to stand out in NYC's bustling market.
Bartenders near Times Square face fast-paced environments with diverse, often international guests. Maintaining quick service while ensuring personalized interactions is crucial. Also, strict adherence to New York state liquor laws and managing high customer volumes during peak tourist seasons are common challenges in this iconic location.
In NYC, bartenders benefit from mastering classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, multitasking efficiently, and delivering attentive customer service. Communication skills and knowledge of local liquor regulations enhance professionalism. Familiarity with hotel standards and inventory control also boosts career growth in competitive hospitality hubs.
While not always mandatory, certifications like TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol provide valuable knowledge on responsible service, boosting a candidate’s profile. Additionally, training in mixology and customer service tailored to luxury settings like Highgate's properties can distinguish applicants in NYC's discerning hotel market.
Highgate’s bartender role blends traditional service with luxury hospitality standards, focusing on bespoke cocktail preparation and maintaining a polished bar environment. This position requires balancing efficiency with personalized guest interactions, setting it apart from standard restaurant bartending jobs common in New York’s vibrant scene.
Bartending at the Knickerbocker offers exposure to upscale clientele and historic hotel culture, enhancing mixology expertise and guest service skills. The role encourages cross-training across hotel departments, fostering career versatility within Highgate’s expanding portfolio, especially valuable in a competitive market like New York City.
Bartenders in New York City, particularly at Highgate hotels, tend to earn an hourly wage ranging from $15 to $25, often supplemented by tips. This reflects the city's higher living costs and the premium service expectations in luxury hospitality venues, making it a competitive pay scale within the bartending profession.
Highgate promotes a collaborative work environment, offering bartenders access to proprietary revenue management tools and regular training sessions. These resources help staff anticipate guest needs and streamline operations, ensuring efficient service during peak hours in dynamic New York venues like the Knickerbocker.
Bartenders at Highgate hotels craft a range of drinks from classic cocktails, like the historic martini linked to the Knickerbocker, to innovative mixes tailored to the luxury clientele. They must adhere to precise presentation standards while accommodating diverse guest preferences in a sophisticated, fast-paced setting.
Yes, bartenders in NYC often work long hours standing, sometimes lifting equipment or supplies up to 50 pounds. The dynamic hospitality scene requires stamina and physical resilience, especially in busy venues like those operated by Highgate, where maintaining service quality during extended shifts is critical.