A good bar manager knows so much more than just how to pull a nice pint. They should know how to manage your stock, staff, customers, menu and sales.
From my experience a bar manager needs quite an array of skills so, I’m going to share with you just a few of the qualities to look for:
Business sense
A bar manager must always have profits in mind. They need to have an understanding that a staff rota is about minimising staff costs and looking for ways to streamline without having an impact on the customers. Stock management isn’t just about filling the fridge, but also about tracking demand and consumption. When planning a drinks menu, they can be creative while maximizing available resources for ROI, profits, and taste.
Training skills
Whilst every manager has their own style, they must always be supportive and fair and want to create a healthy team. They must ensure that all staff are trained to run an efficient bar and that the staff understand how important they are to the business. They should also lead by example.
Remain calm under pressure
The best bar managers remain calm when under pressure, no matter how busy the bar is. They should focus on what needs to be done, which can mean getting stuck in when a member of staff calls in sick at the last minute or delegating responsibilities when the bar gets busy. They should be able to multi-task, for instance, dealing with the demands of customers whilst answering questions from staff and the whole time keeping their managerial jobs in mind such as stock levels and service standards.
Reason and accountability
During busy periods, tension between staff can sometimes arise. Your bar manager must be able to diffuse the tension and direct staff to the task at hand. They must also be able to lead by example when handling any unruly customer who’ve probably had one too many or deal with customer complaints so that unhappy guests leave feeling satisfied.
Tech familiarity
While a bar manager must be a master of the actual bar, they must also know and understand the technology used to improve the operation and systems. EPoS, back office and stock control, financial reporting and customer loyalty schemes are just some areas where technology can give the business an edge.
Market trends
If your bar manager is in charge of crafting the drinks menu, they’ll need to think creatively about and research the latest trends in cocktails, beer, spirits, and wine. They should know how to give customers what they want and understand the importance of working with brands that complement their venue and return a decent profit.
No one is perfect, and every bar is different, which is why it’s important for you to understand the qualities you need in a manager. If you need any advice or support for a new venture or an existing venue, just get in touch.