Head Bartender

Location: Preston Candover

Head Bartender
Near Basingstoke

Full/part-time
Base salary of Living Wage + Service Charge

Estimated earnings potential of £16-£19 per hour, paid bi-weekly

Does combining your passion for creating artisanal cocktails, pouring local craft beers and working to contemporary, modern hospitality standards fill you with excitement? Do you thrive on delivering exceptional service, contributing ideas and engaging guests with your natural hospitality?

About The Candover:

The Candover is a relaxed country pub with rooms set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. With timber and stone floors, limewashed walls, antique furnishings and a cosy bar with open fires, it is the kind of place you wander into after a walk and feel instantly le contemporary, attentive hospitality underpins everything we do, our approach remains simple, traditional and welcoming, offering great beer, fantastic wine and exceptional food cooked over fire and wood.

Warmth, professionalism and personality sit at the heart of everything we do.

We take inspiration from modern British dining and pair it with the warmth and generosity of Mediterranean hospitality, creating dishes and drinks that feel relaxed, vibrant and full of flavour. Celebrating quality produce and natural flavours, our food is confident but never fussy. Expect flame-grilled meats, seasonal vegetables and lighter plates that bring balance and freshness. Each dish is prepared to be both comforting and contemporary, offering the kind of food you want to eat every day but made with the care and attention that makes it feel special.

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Bartender who is excited by the opportunity to develop their bar knowledge and leadership skills within a country setting.

This role offers the chance to deliver high-level drinks execution in a relaxed, informal environment - maintaining the same attention to detail, product knowledge, and consistency expected in leading modern venues, without stiffness or pretence.

Why Work with Us?

The beating heart of The Candover is its staff, which is why we have embedded a fantastic working environment and supportive culture into our foundations. In addition to working amongst beautiful surroundings, we passionately offer clear career development pathways to invest in the development of our team. Alongside, other benefits of working with us can include occasional unique supplier trips, meaningful role‑specific benefits, and a positive and collaborative culture.

The Candover is a workplace where growth, wellbeing, and great experiences go hand in hand.

Key Responsibilities:

* Ensure drinks service is refined, efficient, and approachable

* Take an active role in managing wet stock, including ordering, rotation, and storage

* Support the introduction of new drinks and seasonal offerings

* Lead by example during service, setting high standards for execution and professionalism

* Maintain compliance with licensing laws and health & safety requirements

* Support colleagues during peak service periods

* Use POS systems accurately for ordering and payments

* Share product knowledge and run tastings where appropriate

What We’re Looking For:

* High‑quality, approachable guest service

* Strong stock management and highly organised

* Willingness to learn and develop new skills

* Confident communication and presentation skills

* Leadership by example during service

* Teamwork and support in high‑pressure periods

* Understanding of licensing laws and health & safety

* Previous experience and comfortability with POS systems and payments

Tips are pooled and distributed fairly and transparently by our appointed troncmaster in line with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023.

Apply now for the opportunity of progression within a professional, supportive environment and build a long-term career in hospitality