Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar is looking for an experienced bartender to join our front-of-house team to work as both a bartender and a server.
This is not a traditional bartending job. Our bartenders are cross-trained to work throughout the restaurant. On a typical week, you'll spend roughly equal time bartending and serving on the dining room floor. Every member of our front-of-house team also learns our espresso program, so you'll be making everything from craft cocktails and local beer to lattes and cappuccinos.
We're looking for hospitality professionals who enjoy interacting with guests, can adapt throughout a shift, and take pride in providing exceptional service no matter where they're working.
We are currently seeking applicants with previous bartending experience. While serving tables and coffee experience are valuable, bartending experience is required for this position. If you're looking for a position where you only bartend, only serve tables, or only make coffee, this probably isn't the right fit.
We pride ourselves on being a fun, inclusive workplace with a casual, Bohemian atmosphere in the heart of Salem. We become especially high-volume during tourist season, so multitasking, teamwork, and a calm demeanor under pressure are essential.
At Gulu-Gulu, we believe great hospitality professionals are always learning. We regularly introduce new beers, wines, cocktails, coffees, and menu items, and we encourage our team to taste, ask questions, and build their knowledge so they can confidently guide our guests.
What You'll Do
- Prepare cocktails, beer, wine, espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and other beverages to our quality standards.
- Spend roughly equal time working behind the bar and serving guests on the dining room floor.
- Learn our food menu thoroughly and confidently recommend dishes, beverages, and pairings.
- Deliver knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely welcoming hospitality to every guest.
- Take food and beverage orders accurately and efficiently.
- Answer phones and assist with takeout orders when needed.
- Handle cash and credit card transactions using Toast POS.
- Keep the bar, espresso station, and dining areas clean, organized, stocked, and ready for service.
- Follow all food safety and responsible alcohol service regulations.
- Work closely with the kitchen and fellow front-of-house staff to ensure smooth, efficient service.
Who Will Thrive Here
You'll probably enjoy this position if you:
- Like variety and don't mind changing roles throughout a shift or the week.
- Enjoy learning about craft cocktails, beer, wine, coffee, and food.
- Take pride in making guests feel genuinely welcome.
- Prefer working as part of a collaborative team rather than focusing only on "your own section."
- Stay calm, organized, and positive during busy services.
- Believe hospitality is about creating memorable experiences, not just delivering food and drinks.
QualificationsRequired
- At least one year of bartending experience in a busy restaurant or bar.
- A passion for hospitality and guest service.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- A team-first attitude and willingness to work wherever you're needed.
- Ability to legally prepare and serve alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts.
Preferred
- Previous serving experience.
- Previous espresso or specialty coffee experience.
- Familiarity with Toast POS.
- Knowledge of craft beer, cocktails, wine, and specialty coffee.
Coffee experience is a plus, not a requirement. We'll happily train the right bartender on our espresso program. Likewise, if you haven't spent much time serving, we'll train you on our floor service standards.
About Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar
For nearly 20 years, Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar has been a gathering place in the heart of Salem. We're an independently owned café, restaurant, and bar serving specialty coffee, craft cocktails, local beer, wine, and scratch-made food in a casual, creative atmosphere.
What really sets us apart is our approach to hospitality. We believe that a restaurant can be more than just a place to eat or grab a drink. Whether someone is meeting friends, celebrating, studying, seeing live music, or simply looking for a comfortable place to unwind, we strive to create an environment where every guest feels genuinely welcome.
Our team is made up of people who enjoy learning, supporting one another, and taking pride in their work. We cross-train our staff because we believe the best hospitality professionals understand the entire guest experience, not just one station or one job title.
If you're looking for a workplace where you'll be trusted, challenged, encouraged to grow, and surrounded by people who care about creating memorable experiences for our guests, we'd love to meet you.
Schedule
Part-time and full-time positions and seasonal positions available.
Shifts may include:
- Days
- Evenings
- Nights
- Weekends
- Holidays
Full-Time Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Employee discount
- Paid training
- Flexible scheduling
Work Location: In person, Salem, MA
Pay: $7.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
