Event Bartender
The Vue at Heritage Harbor
Department: Hospitality
Reports To: Event Sales & Group Bookings Manager and Day-of Coordinator
Employment Type: Part-Time / Event-Based
Location: The Vue at Heritage Harbor | Ottawa, Illinois
About Heritage Harbor
Heritage Harbor is a premier waterfront resort community located along the Illinois River in Ottawa, Illinois, in the heart of Starved Rock Country. The resort brings together waterfront living, vacation experiences, recreation, dining, events, and hospitality in a unique destination environment.
Our goal is to create memorable experiences for everyone who visits Heritage Harbor — whether they are staying for a weekend, attending a wedding, enjoying an event, spending time on the water, or calling the community home.
Hospitality is at the center of what we do. Our team works together to create an environment that is welcoming, professional, fun, and memorable for our guests.
About The Vue
The Vue at Heritage Harbor is our premier event venue overlooking the Illinois River and Heritage Harbor community.
Designed as a gathering place for both private celebrations and community experiences, The Vue hosts weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings, private parties, celebrations, community events, speaker programs, live entertainment, and other special events throughout the year.
Every event is different, and that is part of what makes working at The Vue exciting. One shift may be an elegant wedding reception, while another may be a community celebration, corporate gathering, or special Heritage Harbor event. Our team plays an important role in making those experiences successful.
Position Summary
The Bartender is a key member of The Vue's Hospitality team and helps set the tone for the guest experience. This is a part-time, hourly, tipped, event-based position, with hours varying based on The Vue's event schedule.This position is responsible for providing friendly, efficient, and responsible beverage service while creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests. Our bartenders do more than prepare drinks — they interact with guests, support the event team, anticipate needs, and help create the memorable experiences that The Vue and Heritage Harbor are known for.
We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with people, bring positive energy to a team, take pride in great service, and are comfortable working in a fast-paced event environment. Because The Vue is an event venue, this is an event-based position with a schedule that varies based on weddings, private events, community programming, and other functions.
Our Work Environment
We want The Vue to be a place where people enjoy coming to work. Events can be busy and fast-paced, but they should also be fun. We believe that when our team feels supported, respected, and appreciated, that positive energy carries over to our guests.
As part of The Vue team, you can expect:
- A positive, team-oriented work environment.
- A beautiful waterfront setting at Heritage Harbor.
- A workplace where professionalism and having fun can coexist.
- Leadership that values communication, teamwork, and mutual respect.
- Opportunities to work a variety of weddings, celebrations, community events, and special programs.
- A team approach where everyone helps when needed.
- Interaction with guests celebrating some of the most important moments in their lives.
- An environment where great service and personality are both valued.
- Opportunities to grow your hospitality and event experience.
We expect our team members to support one another. During a busy event, job titles matter less than making sure our guests are taken care of and the event is successful.
What You'll Do
Create a Great Guest Experience
- Welcome guests with a friendly, professional, and approachable attitude.
- Provide prompt and attentive beverage service.
- Help create a fun and welcoming atmosphere at the bar.
- Engage appropriately with guests while remaining attentive to service needs.
- Answer questions about available beverages and make recommendations when appropriate.
- Recognize that every interaction contributes to the guest's overall impression of The Vue and Heritage Harbor.
- Respond professionally to guest requests and communicate concerns to the Day-of Coordinator when necessary.
Prepare & Serve Beverages
- Prepare and serve beer, wine, cocktails, mixed drinks, soft drinks, and other beverages.
- Follow The Vue's recipes, portion standards, and beverage-service procedures.
- Maintain consistency and presentation standards throughout the event.
- Verify identification and legal drinking age when required.
- Follow procedures for hosted bars, cash bars, drink tickets, specialty cocktails, and other event-specific beverage arrangements.
- Follow venue policies regarding outside beverages.
Practice Responsible Alcohol Service
Providing a fun guest experience also means serving alcohol responsibly.
Bartenders are expected to:
- Maintain required BASSET certification.
- Follow Illinois liquor laws and applicable local regulations.
- Check identification when appropriate.
- Monitor alcohol consumption.
- Recognize signs of intoxication.
- Refuse or discontinue alcohol service when necessary.
- Communicate potential alcohol-related concerns to the Day-of Coordinator.
- Follow established last-call and bar-closing procedures.
- Never consume alcohol while working.
Management will support bartenders when responsible-service decisions need to be made.
Set Up the Bar
Before an event, bartenders will help make sure the bar is fully prepared for guests.
Responsibilities may include:
- Stocking beer, wine, liquor, mixers, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Preparing garnishes and other beverage ingredients.
- Stocking ice.
- Organizing glassware or approved serviceware.
- Setting up bar tools, napkins, straws, signage, and supplies.
- Reviewing specialty cocktails or event-specific beverage selections.
- Ensuring the bar is clean, organized, stocked, and presentation-ready before guests arrive.
Maintain the Bar During Events
Throughout the event, bartenders are responsible for keeping their work area clean, efficient, and guest-ready.
This includes:
- Restocking beverages and supplies.
- Maintaining ice and garnishes.
- Keeping bar surfaces clean.
- Removing empty bottles and trash.
- Monitoring beverage inventory.
- Communicating product or supply needs before they become an issue.
- Keeping the bar organized even during high-volume service periods.
Event Breakdown & Closing
At the conclusion of an event, bartenders will assist with properly closing the bar.
Responsibilities may include:
- Breaking down the bar.
- Cleaning and sanitizing bar surfaces and equipment.
- Properly storing remaining beverages.
- Returning supplies and equipment to designated areas.
- Removing bottles, trash, and recycling.
- Assisting with beverage inventory when requested.
- Leaving the bar and surrounding areas clean and ready for the next event.
A bartender's shift is complete when assigned closing responsibilities are finished — not simply when bar service ends.
Be Part of the Event Team
Successful events require teamwork.
Bartenders may work alongside:
- The Event Sales & Group Bookings Manager
- The Day-of Coordinator
- Other bartenders and hospitality staff
- Catering teams
- Preferred vendors
- DJs and entertainment
- Photographers
- Security personnel
- Other Heritage Harbor team members
Bartenders should be willing to step in and assist the team when needed. That may occasionally mean helping with something outside of normal bar responsibilities. The goal is simple: work together to create an exceptional event.
What We're Looking For
The right person for The Vue is someone who:
- Enjoys working with people.
- Brings a positive attitude to work.
- Understands the importance of hospitality.
- Works well as part of a team.
- Can remain friendly and professional during busy periods.
- Is dependable and punctual.
- Takes initiative rather than waiting to be asked.
- Notices when something needs attention and takes care of it.
- Communicates well with coworkers and supervisors.
- Understands that weddings and special events are important occasions for our guests.
- Can balance having fun at work with maintaining professional standards.
Qualifications
Required
- Must meet Illinois legal requirements for serving alcoholic beverages.
- Current BASSET certification or willingness to obtain certification before working an event.
- Strong customer-service and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Dependable and professional.
- Ability to follow beverage recipes, policies, procedures, and event instructions.
- Availability for evening and weekend events.
Preferred
Experience in any of the following is beneficial:
- Bartending
- Restaurants
- Hotels or resorts
- Weddings
- Banquets
- Catering
- Event venues
- Guest services
- Hospitality
Scheduling
The Vue operates primarily around scheduled events, so bartender hours will vary throughout the year.
Events may include:
- Weddings and receptions
- Rehearsal dinners
- Corporate events
- Private parties
- Celebrations
- Community events
- Speaker programs
- Live entertainment
- Holiday events
- Heritage Harbor events and programming
Evening and weekend availability is important. Bartender shifts typically include time before the event for setup and time following the event for breakdown and closing responsibilities.
Physical Requirements
This is an active hospitality position. Bartenders must be able to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Work several hours in a fast-paced event environment.
- Bend, reach, lift, and carry supplies.
- Lift and carry beverage cases, ice, and other bar supplies.
- Perform repetitive movements associated with beverage preparation.
- Work in both indoor and outdoor event environments when necessary.
- Work around crowds, music, and varying noise levels.
Professional Standards
When working at The Vue, every team member represents both The Vue and Heritage Harbor.
Bartenders are expected to:
- Arrive on time and ready to work.
- Follow established dress and appearance standards.
- Maintain a clean and professional appearance.
- Treat guests, clients, coworkers, and vendors with respect.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with guests.
- Refrain from consuming alcohol while working.
- Follow safety, sanitation, and responsible-service procedures.
- Communicate respectfully with supervisors and coworkers.
- Help create a workplace free from unnecessary negativity, disrespect, or drama.
- Bring problems to the appropriate supervisor so they can be addressed constructively.
- Take pride in the appearance and reputation of The Vue.
The Vue Hospitality Standard
At The Vue, we believe people remember how an event made them feel. A great bartender can make a guest feel welcomed within seconds. A smile, remembering someone's drink, helping a guest who has a question, keeping the bar moving during a rush, or simply bringing positive energy to the room can make a difference.
That's the standard we want our team to deliver. We want guests to leave The Vue talking about the beautiful venue, the incredible event, and — just as importantly — how well they were treated by our team.
Pay: From $12.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
