About the role
The Bartender / Barista prepares and serves drinks at the lodge bar, restaurant and functions: cocktails, beers, wines and soft drinks, as well as coffee, tea and other hot beverages. The role keeps the bar and coffee station clean, stocked and well presented, and gives every guest friendly, fast and accurate service.
Position details
- Reports to: General Manager
- Works closely with: Waitresses/Waiters, Head Chef, Front Desk
- Employment type: Full-time, on-site, shift-based
Key responsibilities
1. Bar service (bartending)
- Prepare and serve drinks to lodge recipes and standard measures.
- Take orders at the bar, and prepare drinks ordered by waiters for the restaurant, lounge and outdoor areas.
- Recommend drinks and pairings, and serve at events, sundowners and room service.
- Keep drinks consistent in taste, presentation and measure.
2. Coffee and hot beverages (barista)
- Prepare espresso-based coffees, teas and other hot drinks to lodge standards.
- Clean and maintain the coffee machine and grinder daily, and report faults straight away.
- Serve tea and coffee breaks at conferences and meetings.
3. Bar opening, closing and cleanliness
- Handle bar opening and closing: set-up, ice and garnishes, restocking, cleaning and securing.
- Keep the bar counter, glassware, coffee station and equipment clean and well presented, and report faulty items.
- Maintain food safety and hygiene standards in the bar area.
4. Guest experience
- Welcome guests warmly and build a friendly rapport with lodge guests, campers, conference delegates, locals and regulars.
- Handle guest concerns politely and report complaints to the General Manager straight away.
- Help create a pleasant atmosphere in the bar and lounge.
5. Sales and upselling
- Recommend drinks, specials, happy hours and sundowners to increase average spend.
- Pass on guest feedback about drinks and suggestions for the drinks list to the General Manager.
6. Stock care
- Restock the bar from the store according to par levels and rotate stock (first in, first out).
- Help with stock counts when asked, and report low stock early.
- Log breakages, spillage and complimentary drinks on approved forms only.
7. Orders, billing and cash handling
- Enter every drink into the POS. Nothing is served without a recorded order.
- Post charges to the right guest accounts for in-house guests, and process cash, card and mobile money payments accurately.
- Hand over takings and reconcile with the General Manager at the end of each shift.
8. Responsible service and compliance
- Serve alcohol responsibly under Botswana liquor laws and licence conditions, including trading hours and refusing service to minors or intoxicated guests.
- Follow health, safety and security procedures, including incident reporting.
9. Teamwork
- Work closely with waiters, the kitchen and front desk for smooth service.
- Help with functions, events and function bars when needed.
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Drink quality, consistency and service speed
- Accurate POS records and cash handover, with no unexplained shortages
- Breakages and losses within acceptable limits
- Cleanliness and readiness of the bar and coffee station
- Upselling results
- Guest satisfaction and positive feedback or reviews
- Compliance with liquor licence and hygiene standards
- Attendance, punctuality and teamwork
Qualifications and experience
- Form 5 / BGCSE or equivalent.
- A certificate in Food & Beverage Service, bartending, barista skills or Hospitality is an advantage.
- At least 1 year's experience as a bartender and/or barista, preferably at a lodge, hotel or busy restaurant.
- Knowledge of beverages, cocktails, wine and coffee preparation.
- Experience with POS systems and cash handling.
- Responsible alcohol service or food safety training is an advantage.
Skills and attributes
- Warm, outgoing and guest-focused
- Honest and trustworthy with cash and stock
- Quick, organised and calm during busy periods
- Good memory and attention to detail
- Team player, willing to learn and take direction
- Good communication in English and Setswana
- Available for evenings, weekends and public holidays