Bar Staff (part-time)
Job Description
Job Title
Bar Staff
Reporting To
Venue Manager
Location
87 Giles Street, Leith, Edinburgh
Contract Hours
20 hours per week
Pay
£13.45 per hour plus a share of gratuities
Vacancy Listed
10/07/2026
Purpose
We are looking for a true bartending professional with hospitality experience and a real focus on creating memories for our valued members and guests. You need to be naturally passionate about genuine customer service and have experience delivering fantastic service by creating a great environment. The ideal candidate will also have an interest in whisky and cocktails.
You will be warm, engaging, outgoing and confident, have an eye for detail and be highly motivated to strive for perfection. Along with a commercial understanding to promote all aspects of the Society, including membership sales, whisky tasting and member events.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Serving whiskies, beers, wines and cocktails
- Encourage and support the integration of food service within the venue
- With the Venue Manager, maintain an effective stock system; monitor all stock to and from the bar
- Assist with the smooth and efficient running of the venue
- Ensure good communication between all venue staff and other departments
- Participate in cocktail training and whisky outturn tasting sessions
- Participate in staff meetings as and when required
- Ensure all areas are clean and tidy at all times
There is an opportunity to become an SMWS Ambassador to host tastings and events. This attracts additional payment.
Skills and Qualifications
- Proven bartending and serving skills
- Knowledge of food safety regulations
- Basic math skills for handling transactions
- Previous experience in a restaurant or hospitality environment (ideally 2 years)
- Familiarity with computer networking systems to enhance service efficiency
Benefits
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Staff bottle allocation: At the start of each tax year (April) you will receive up to £500 retail value in vouchers to spend on bottles at our venues.
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SMWS Staff Membership: All employees automatically become members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the worldwide whisky club with over 40,000 members.
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Private Medical Care with Aviva: Employees can opt in to this benefit from day 1. The company pays the premium; employees pay the benefit in kind. Family coverage requires additional cost.
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Group Life Insurance (Death in Service): Upon completion of 12 month service, a lump sum benefit is paid to the employee’s named recipient in the event of death.
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Discretionary Bonus Scheme: An annual, non contractual bonus scheme allowing staff to share in the company’s success.
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Holiday Allowance: 29 days inclusive of statutory days in the first year, increasing by 1 day per year up to 34 days. Pro rated for part time staff.
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30% off bottles and drinks at SMWS: Employees receive 30% off their bill at all SMWS venues.
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Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover: After 12 months, eligible employees receive 66.7% of base salary for up to 6 months (or longer) of illness.
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Bike to Work Scheme: Employees can save up to 43.25% on the cost of bicycles and safety equipment.
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Electric Car Scheme: Employees can request further details from the People Team.
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£100 Annual Allowance for Glasses: Employees can claim up to £100 annually for prescription glasses or contact lenses (screen users).
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Workplace Nursery Scheme: Employees can pay for nursery fees before tax and NI deductions.
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Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured: Confidential support for personal and professional issues, available 24/7.
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Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme: Employees are enrolled in line with government legislation.
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Salary Exchange Pension Scheme: A tax efficient way to pay into the workplace pension.
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Charitable Giving and Volunteering: Matching fund raising up to £200 per year per staff member. Employees receive an additional day of volunteering leave annually.
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Birthday Voucher: Employees receive a £25 Highstreet voucher on their birthday.
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Annual Staff Party: Employees attend an annual celebration.
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Long Service Award: Milestone rewards from 5 up to 20 years of service, including vouchers and extra annual leave.
