About Us
Cream City Concepts is Milwaukee’s hospitality group built for the energy of a packed house. We run Oak Barrel Public House, Who’s on Third, Who’s on Layton, Cream City Catering, and 3rd Street Retreat — craft food, cold drinks, game days, date nights, big events, and a place to stay, all over the city. The pace is fast, the standards are high, and the people are what make it work.
About the Role
The Bartender runs the bar — the drinks, the pace, and the personality of the room. You make every drink to standard and fast, you run a clean and stocked bar, and you turn the people in front of you into regulars. The bar is a destination in our venues, and you set its tone. You also control the bottles and the drawer, so we count on you to pour to standard, ring in everything, and handle cash honestly every single time. Great bartending is craft, hospitality, and integrity at the same time.
One Team, One Bar
In our venues, nobody stands around while the room needs something. When the floor needs it, everyone crosses over — you’ll run food, help servers, support the door, and jump in wherever the room needs a hand. You work hand-in-hand with your barback to keep the bar flying, and we run as one team, not separate jobs.
Always Guest-Ready
If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean — and you never make a trip with an empty hand. Between drinks you’re clearing glassware, wiping down, restocking, cutting garnish, and getting ahead of the next rush. A clean, fully stocked, guest-ready bar is the standard here, not the exception — and you work the opening, side-work, and closing checklists without being asked.
What We’re Hiring For
Skills can be taught. These five can’t — they’re the bar in every CCC venue, every shift.
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Optimistic Warmth — You’re the personality of the bar — genuine, upbeat, and welcoming — and you hold that energy when it’s three-deep and the night runs long.
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Curious Intelligence — You know your craft — cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits — and you keep learning, dialing in recipes, specials, and what your guests love.
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Work Ethic — You move with speed and pride — fast, accurate drinks, a spotless bar, never an empty hand — and you push through the rush without dropping the warmth.
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Empathy — You read the bar — the regular who wants to talk, the couple who doesn’t, the guest who’s had enough — and you take care of each one the right way.
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Self-Awareness & Integrity — You pour to standard, ring in every drink, follow the comp and void rules, and keep your drawer honest — even when it’s busy and no manager is watching — and you own a mistake and fix it.
Key Responsibilities
Bartending & Craft
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Make every drink to recipe and house standards — consistent, accurate, and fast — from a busy well to a craft cocktail.
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Know the full beer, wine, cocktail, and spirits list, plus specials and 86’d items, and execute them correctly.
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Prep and batch garnishes, mixers, and ingredients to spec, and keep the bar set for volume.
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Keep speed and quality up through the rush without cutting corners.
Guest Experience & Hospitality
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Own the bar experience — greet every guest quickly, set a welcoming tone, and build regulars.
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Read your guests and tailor your service; handle questions, requests, and problems with care.
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Sell with genuine enthusiasm — guide guests to drinks and food, suggest another round, apps, and dessert naturally — and serve the bar’s food tables too when seated.
Pour Standards, Payment & Cash Integrity
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Pour to recipe and house standards every time — no over-pouring, no heavy pours, and no free or discounted drinks on your own.
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Ring in every drink and item ordered — no exceptions — and open, manage, and close tabs accurately.
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Follow the comp, void, and discount policy exactly, and get manager approval where it’s required.
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Handle cash, cards, and the drawer accurately; reconcile sales, cash, and tips at the end of every shift and account for any discrepancy honestly.
Responsible Service
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Serve alcohol responsibly and per company standards and Wisconsin law.
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Check IDs carefully, watch for over-intoxication, and cut off or refuse service when appropriate — with hospitality and a level head.
Bar Readiness & Teamwork
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Keep the bar, back bar, wells, and glassware clean, stocked, and organized all shift, working with your barback.
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Complete opening, side-work, and closing duties fully, including accurate cash-out and lock-down of the bar.
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Run food, back up servers and the door, and jump in wherever the room needs it.
Qualifications
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Must be at least 18 years old and able to obtain a Wisconsin operator’s (bartender’s) license.
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Prior bartending experience preferred; high-volume experience is a strong plus. We’ll develop the right barback or server into the role.
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Solid drink knowledge — cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits — or the ability to learn it fast.
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Genuinely guest-first with real bar personality and hospitality.
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Accurate and trustworthy with pours, POS entry, tabs, and cash handling.
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Fast, calm, and organized under high volume.
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Comfortable selling and confident talking through the menu.
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Reliable and punctual, with flexible availability including nights, weekends, and holidays.
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Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
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Able to stand and move quickly for long stretches; bend, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs (kegs, cases, ice); and work in a loud, crowded, fast-paced environment.
Success in This Role Means
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Every drink is made to standard, fast, and consistent — rush or not.
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The bar is a destination — guests come back for the experience and become regulars.
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Pours are to spec, every drink is rung in, and the drawer is accurate and honest — every shift, watched or not.
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Alcohol is served responsibly and the room stays safe.
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The bar stays clean, stocked, and guest-ready, and the team can count on you to jump in.
Benefits & Perks
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Competitive hourly pay plus tips.
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Discounted employee meals.
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Flexible scheduling.
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A real path to grow into shift supervision and management in our Front of House.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Cream City Concepts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected class.
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment remains at-will. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time based on business needs.
Continue Your Hospitality Career with us.
We are always looking for the brightest personalities to join our teams!
We value each person's point of view and we want all of our employees to have a voice in our operations.
Job Type: fulltime, parttime
Education: No education required
Work location: On-site
