What Is a Lead Bartender?

by Laurie Brenner
Lead bartenders train the bar's staff.

Lead bartenders train the bar's staff.

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It takes more than juggling liquor bottles and slinging drinks to qualify as a lead bartender. Lead bartenders, also known as head bartenders or bar managers, must make sure the bar operation runs efficiently. They keep a watch on inventory, manage other bartenders and deal with problem customers. Many also develop special drink recipes and concoctions.


The lead bartender oversees an establishment's bar operations. He usually reports directly to the general manager. The job requires organization, problem-solving and communication skills. He supervises multiple aspects of supplying, running and operating a bar as a standalone location or as part of a restaurant, hotel or other hospitality service business. One of his main responsibilities is to ensure that the bar staff provides positive customer experiences.

Inventory and Cash Control

The lead bartender manages the bar's liquor and supply inventory. He develops purchase and supply orders, checks in recently purchased bar items, arranges inventory for special events and makes supplies readily available to his team. The lead bartender also manages the cash drawers assigned to each bartender and reconciles each drawer against cash register reports. In addition, he might be responsible for scheduling special occasions such as parties, banquets or sporting events. He ensures that all bar equipment is operational and functional.


As the team leader, the lead bartender supervises and trains employees in their respective duties as bartenders, cocktail waitresses or cleanup crews. He teaches employees how to prepare and deliver drinks, how to properly handle food and money, and how to set up the bar at the beginning of a shift and break it down at the end of a shift. The lead bartender creates the schedules for each shift and makes certain the bar has enough employees on hand to handle the shift's customers.

Customer Service

Customer service is a top priority for a lead bartender. Besides ensuring positive experiences for the majority of customers, he also sets the rules for handling problem customers. He may oversee the bar's bouncers or security personnel who ensure customers meet the legal age requirements for bar access. He might also set the rules for bouncing problem customers from the bar.

Education, Experience and Work Environment

Lead bartending jobs require at least a year or more of experience than a regular bartender. Most bartenders have a high school diploma or a GED, but some also have college degrees. Most states require bartenders to be of legal drinking age. Some states also might require licenses or certification. Lead bartenders must have the ability to lift heavy objects such as kegs and boxes containing alcohol bottles. They do a lot of standing, but might also need to work with advanced computer and hospitality system software.

Bartender Salary and Job Info

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median wage for all bartenders was $9 per hour as of May 2010. That includes tips, but earnings can vary by establishment. Bartenders in the top 10 percent earned $15 per hour, while the lowest 10 percent took home $8 an hour, including tips. Lead bartenders are likely to be on the higher end of the scale. The BLS expects employment for bartenders to grow 9 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is below the average for all occupations. Bartenders with excellent customer service skills, experience and training stand a better chance of employment.

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