Is it about time you ran your own bar?
Ever wanted your first venue, but didn’t have the capital to take the leap?
A Note before we start.....
We know how hard it is to find genuinely great people in hospitality, and we also know great operators should share in the upside they help create. That’s why this isn’t some tiny “bonus structure” that only kicks in once the venue hits unrealistic numbers. If you’re as committed, talented and hard-working as your application says you are, the success of the venue should benefit you directly. The profit share is designed to be meaningful. A fair slice, paid from dollar one, with real upside as the venue grows. No tricks, just cash.
The St Kilda Back Room is looking for the right bartender/operator to take the reins and help build something people actually want to come back to.
Think cocktails, whisky, vinyl, late-night neighbourhood energy and events that give people a reason to leave the house.
Find The St Kilda Back Room on Instagram.
Let’s be clear upfront.
This isn’t a clipboard-and-cocktails management role.
You’ll be opening and closing the venue, running service, cleaning, solving problems as they happen and doing the hands-on work that comes with building a bar properly.
If a toilet blocks, we unblock it.
In the beginning, this is largely a one-person operation during your shifts. As revenue grows, we grow the team around it.
That said, you’re not doing it alone.
The venue already has:
- Built-in traffic from Roamer Hostel
- Staff support on days off
- Internal marketing support through the broader venue team
- Existing infrastructure, licensing and operations already in place
We’re looking for someone who’s ready to step up from bartender into operator.
Someone who wants influence.
Someone with ideas.
Someone sick of just working someone else’s floor.
The Venue
- Small cocktail bar + rooftop function space
- Located inside Roamer Hostel, St Kilda
- Built-in captive audience from the hostel
- Licensed until 11pm only
- No 3am finishes
- Strong Friday & Saturday trade potential
- Vinyl listening bar energy
- Events-led neighbourhood hangout
- Turnkey and ready to go
The Role
Starting roster:
Tuesday to Saturday
4pm – 11pm
This role includes:
- Running day-to-day bar operations
- Opening and closing the venue
- Cocktail service
- Building local trade and repeat customers
- Community outreach and relationship building
- Assisting with event concepts and activations
- Working closely with the hostel team to drive traffic into the venue
- Helping shape the identity and direction of the bar
Creative freedom comes with the role, but understanding the core customer and operating commercially is just as important.
What’s In It For You?
- Award casual rate + uncapped profit share
- The more the venue grows, the more you earn
- Real operational ownership
- Ability to put operator experience on your CV
- Freedom to help shape the menu, events and atmosphere
- Small budget available to refresh the venue with the right person
- No Sundays
- No 3am finishes
We cover:
- Rent
- Stock
- Core venue overheads
You bring:
- Energy
- Ideas
- Community
- A reason for people to come back
Who This Would Suit
- Career bartender ready for the next step
- Assistant manager wanting their first venue
- Someone with strong cocktail experience
- Someone with a local network or the ability to build one
- Someone who understands community, events and hospitality culture
- Someone comfortable being hands-on, not just “in charge”
Requirements
- 2+ years bartending experience
- Strong cocktail experience essential
- Management experience preferred but not required
- Events experience highly regarded
- Current Victorian RSA required
- Applicants must have valid Australian working rights
- Must be available Tuesday–Saturday, 4pm–11pm
To Apply
Send through:
- Your CV
- A cover letter that actually sounds like you
Non-AI applications will definitely stand out.
Email: [email protected]
Pay: $28.43 – $66.62 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Profit sharing
Work Location: In person
