Bar Manager

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Drifter is seeking a Bar Manager to join our Wellington property before opening, leading the F&B front-of-house, building a high-performing team, and shaping culture, standards and ways of working from day one. This hands-on, pre-opening role partners with the GM and Head Chef to deliver a seamless guest experience, manage rosters and costs, oversee stock and supplier relationships, and boost service excellence while preserving the venue’s atmosphere. The ideal candidate has proven bar or venue leadership, coaching and recruitment, and strong commercial sense with a hands-on style. To apply, include a cover letter explaining what excites you about Drifter and your leadership approach, attach it with your CV, and email [email protected]

Drifter is built for curious travellers, free spirits, and people who care about great spaces and great experiences. We run hostels and hybrid stays across Australia and New Zealand, alongside food and beverage venues that bring people together and give our properties their edge. The kind of places people remember, not just pass through.

We're opening our newest property in Wellington in December 2026, and we're building the entire leadership team from the ground up.

We're looking for a Bar Manager to join that team and help bring the property to life. This is a rare chance to join before opening, shape how the venue comes together, build your own team, and help create the culture, standards and ways of working from day one.

The opportunity

Great venues are about more than what's on the menu. They're about atmosphere, energy and the people who create it.

You'll lead the food and beverage front-of-house operation, creating a welcoming, well-run venue that guests want to spend time in and locals want to come back to. From service standards and team culture through to beverage performance and day-to-day operations, you'll play a key role in shaping the experience our guests remember.

You'll also be a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the General Manager and other Heads of Department to make sure the whole operation runs smoothly.

Starting in early November 2026, you'll have the opportunity to come in before opening, recruit and develop your team, and help establish the standards, culture and ways of working that will shape the venue from day one.

What it looks like day to day:

• Leading, coaching and supporting the food and beverage team  
• Creating a positive, high-performing team culture  
• Managing day-to-day bar and food service operations  
• Maintaining exceptional service standards across the venue  
• Recruiting, onboarding and training new team members  
• Building rosters that work for both the business and the team  
• Managing labour costs, beverage performance and departmental results  
• Overseeing stock control, ordering and supplier relationships  
• Working closely with the Head Chef to deliver a seamless food and beverage experience  
• Managing guest feedback, issues and service recovery when needed  
• Looking for ways to improve the guest experience and operational performance  
• Helping establish venue systems, standards and ways of working as part of the pre-opening journey 

You’ll be a good fit if… 

You're a hospitality leader who loves creating great experiences and bringing people together.

You know how to lead from the floor, create strong teams, and maintain high standards without losing sight of the atmosphere that makes a venue special.\

You’ll likely bring:

• Experience leading a bar, food and beverage or venue team within hospitality, tourism or an experience-led environment  
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, recruitment and performance management  
• Experience managing rosters, labour and day-to-day operations  
• A strong understanding of beverage operations and service delivery  
• Commercial awareness with experience managing costs, stock and performance  
• Confidence handling guest issues and making decisions on the spot  
• A hands-on leadership style and willingness to jump in wherever needed  
• The ability to build team culture while maintaining high standards and accountability 

What you can expect at Drifter

You'll be part of a team that cares about doing good work without overcomplicating things. We back our people, give you space to lead, and make sure there's support where it counts. 

Alongside that, you’ll have:

• Discounted stays across Drifter properties for you, your family and your travel crew  
• Discounts on brands you actually use, including JB Hi-Fi, Uber Eats and more  
• Access to online learning and development opportunities  
• Paid birthday leave for permanent team members  
• A paid volunteering day each year to support a cause that matters to you  
• Enhanced parental leave  
• Free counselling and wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program  
• Annual flu vaccinations covered  
• Visa support available for exceptional people looking to build a long-term career with Drifter 
• Opportunities to grow with the business as we continue to expand across Australia and New Zealand 

Drifter is collaborative, practical and values-led. Professional but not stuffy, we're a welcoming and inclusive workplace and proudly welcome team members from all races, places, gender expressions and beliefs.

If the idea of opening a brand new venue, building your own team and helping create a food and beverage experience from day one sounds like your kind of challenge, we'd love to hear from you. 

One last thing…

When you apply, include a cover letter and tell us a bit about yourself. What excites you about Drifter? What drew you to this role? What kind of leader are you?

We're not looking for a summary of your work history. We'll get that from your CV. Skills and experience matter, but we're also building a team of people who genuinely connect with our brand, our guests and each other. What we'd really love to understand is who you are as a person, what you value, and what you'd bring to the team. 

Any questions? Email us directly at [email protected]