Bartender

Job Details

Bartender
Roka Akor Chicago

Roka Akor Chicago is seeking knowledgeable, personable, and hospitality-driven Bartenders to join our front-of-house team.

Roka Akor is an award-winning Japanese steakhouse and robata concept known for exceptional cuisine, premium steaks, world-class seafood, handcrafted cocktails, extensive sake offerings, and an elevated guest experience.

We are looking for team members who combine strong beverage knowledge with warm hospitality, attention to detail, and pride in their craft.

This position offers the opportunity to deliver memorable experiences at the bar while contributing to a beverage program centered on quality, consistency, and continued education.

• Welcome bar guests warmly and provide attentive service throughout their dining experience.

• Prepare cocktails and other beverages accurately and consistently according to established recipes and presentation standards.

• Execute service bar orders efficiently while maintaining quality and communicating with the dining room team.

• Guide guests through our cocktail, wine, sake, and spirits selections with thoughtful recommendations.

• Learn food menus, ingredients, preparation methods, and allergens to confidently take dining orders and recommend pairings.

• Complete daily preparation, including batching, garnishes, juices, syrups, and stocking.

• Follow established recipes, labeling, dating, storage, and rotation procedures.

• Maintain a clean, organized bar, service well, refrigeration, and preparation area throughout each shift.

• Complete opening and closing checklists, assigned deep cleaning, and nightly restocking.

• Monitor inventory and communicate low stock, unavailable items, and preparation needs to management.

• Complete a nightly bar log summarizing service, low inventory, and items that are unavailable.

• Process orders and payments accurately through Toast POS.

• Follow responsible alcohol service practices, verify identification, and involve management when appropriate.

• Support private dining events, beverage training, and seasonal cocktail development.

• Previous bartending experience in an upscale or high-volume restaurant.

• Strong knowledge of classic cocktails, spirits, wine, and beverage service.

• Interest in Japanese whisky, sake, shochu, and Japanese cuisine.

• Commitment to recipe consistency, accurate measurements, and polished presentation.

• Ability to manage bar guests and service tickets while maintaining gracious hospitality.

• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

• A positive attitude, dependable work habits, and willingness to learn.

• Professional appearance and demeanor.

• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability.

• Ability to stand, move, and safely handle bar supplies throughout a shift, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• BASSET and food handler credentials as required for the position.

• Familiarity with Toast POS is a plus.

• Competitive hourly compensation plus tips.

• Extensive food, beverage, sake, and service education.

• Opportunities to participate in spirit tastings and training with beverage professionals.

• Opportunity to contribute ideas to seasonal cocktail development.

• Opportunities for advancement within the restaurant.

• Employee dining benefits.

• Professional, team-oriented culture.

• Work alongside some of Chicago’s most talented hospitality professionals.

We believe great bartenders bring together technical skill, product knowledge, and the ability to make every guest feel welcome. At Roka Akor, you will have opportunities to strengthen those skills through hands-on experience, ongoing education, and collaboration with our team.

We are committed to developing talent from within and supporting individuals who demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and a commitment to excellence.

If you take pride in your craft and want to build a career in hospitality, we would love to meet you.

Apply today and become part of the next chapter of Roka Akor Chicago.