Experienced Bartender

Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse — Houma Location

Reports To: Service Manager

Position Summary

The Bartender is responsible for delivering friendly, attentive service while preparing and serving beverages according to Big Mike’s recipes and standards. This position requires previous bartending experience, strong beverage knowledge, accurate cash handling, and the ability to keep an organized bar during busy service.

The Bartender must make guests feel welcome, maintain consistent drink quality, and support a positive, professional team environment.

Schedule and Availability

Availability must meet the restaurant’s scheduling needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Shifts may include opening, closing, and special events.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The role requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moving bar supplies, ice, and equipment. Work takes place in a busy environment around glassware, wet surfaces, and refrigerated storage. Essential duties must be performed safely, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role means consistent drink quality, attentive guest service, accurate transactions, responsible alcohol service, controlled waste, and a clean, organized bar. Bartenders are expected to follow Big Mike’s processes and help create an experience that brings guests back.

• Welcome guests promptly and provide attentive service throughout their visit.

• Prepare cocktails and serve beer, wine, and other beverages according to approved recipes, portions, and presentation standards.

• Learn Big Mike’s food and beverage menus, promotions, and seasonal offerings.

• Make informed recommendations and offer food, beverages, and additional items that fit the guest’s preferences.

• Take and enter orders accurately in Toast POS, process payments, and follow cash-handling procedures.

• Follow responsible alcohol service procedures, verify identification, recognize signs of intoxication, and involve management when service must be refused.

• Monitor orders and communicate with the kitchen and service team to support timely delivery.

• Keep the bar, equipment, glassware, and guest areas clean, stocked, and organized.

• Complete opening, shift-change, and closing duties.

• Follow approved procedures for draft beer service, product rotation, storage, and labeling.

• Follow inventory controls and accurately record spills, waste, and other product losses.

• Report guest concerns, shortages, safety issues, and equipment problems promptly.

• Follow all food safety, sanitation, uniform, and workplace standards.

Drink recipes, ingredients, pour sizes, prices, and promotions may not be changed without authorization.

• Previous bartending experience in a restaurant or comparable high-volume setting.

• Working knowledge of cocktails, spirits, beer, wine, and standard bar equipment.

• Ability to produce consistent drinks while managing multiple orders.

• Strong guest service, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Accurate cash handling and experience using a POS system; Toast experience is preferred.

• Dependable attendance, professional appearance, and willingness to accept coaching.

• Completion of required responsible alcohol service training and assigned Big Mike’s training.

Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse is a Louisiana-grown hospitality company entering its next stage of growth. For more than 18 years, we have built a strong local brand around great barbecue, genuine hospitality, and a commitment to getting better every day.

We are building more than restaurants—we are building an organization with stronger systems, higher standards, and leaders who can drive performance at scale.

Our mission is to serve great barbecue, take care of people, and operate restaurants we are proud of. Our vision is to become one of Louisiana’s most respected hospitality brands without losing the authenticity and independence that made us successful.

We are looking for leaders who can build teams, create accountability, improve execution, and take ownership of results. Big Mike’s offers the rare opportunity to step into an established brand, influence the future of the company, and help build something designed to last.