Pool Bartender – Sitio El Tropicano | Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group in San Antonio, Texas at Sitio Food & Beverage

About Sítio El Tropicano

Sítio El Tropicano is a vibrant renewal of one of San Antonio's most iconic riverfront landmarks. An urban resort and members' club where hospitality, wellness, dining, and creativity flow together effortlessly, Sítio invites guests to linger, explore, and connect.

All food and beverage at Sítio El Tropicano is created and operated by Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, carrying our commitment to local sourcing, seasonality, and genuine hospitality throughout the property. Our concepts include Barberry, a seasonally driven all-day restaurant; Flamingo Bar, a cocktail bar celebrating Texas spirits; Prado Provisions, a grab-and-go café; and Bar Nado, serving handrolls, bento boxes, and frozen drinks poolside.

About Bar Nado

Bar Nado is Sítio El Tropicano's poolside escape, set on San Antonio's largest pool deck. Effortlessly social and always energized, Bar Nado serves handrolls, bento boxes, wraps, and sandwiches alongside frozen drinks, rosé, and cold beer.

We believe hospitality should feel like a celebration, creating a vibrant, sun-soaked space where guests and locals can relax, linger, and connect from sunrise to sunset.

Position Summary

The Bartender prepares and serves cocktails, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages at Bar Nado while providing welcoming service to guests seated at the bar. This position also prepares beverage orders placed from the pool deck and works with runners to ensure drinks reach guests accurately and promptly.

Reporting to the F&B Manager — Bar Nado, the Bartender works closely with the Lead Bartender, server assistants, and culinary team members. The role requires consistent beverage execution, clear communication, and safe service in a busy outdoor environment.

Bar Service & Guest Experience

• Welcome guests at the bar promptly and provide attentive, personable service.
• Guide guests through the beverage menu with recommendations based on their preferences.
• Maintain working knowledge of Bar Nado’s food menu and answer guest questions accurately.
• Take bar orders, confirm modifications, and enter orders accurately into the POS.
• Monitor guests’ needs and beverage pacing throughout their visit.
• Respond promptly to routine guest requests and concerns, involving shift leadership when needed.
• Protect guest privacy and exercise discretion regarding hotel guests, members, and VIPs.
• Maintain a clean and welcoming bar throughout service.

Beverage Preparation & Execution

• Prepare cocktails and other beverages according to approved recipes, specifications, portion standards, and presentation requirements.
• Maintain consistency in measurement, technique, temperature, ice, garnish, and approved serviceware.
• Prepare orders from bar guests and the pool deck accurately while managing ticket volume.
• Check each completed beverage for quality and accuracy before service or runner pickup.
• Pour and serve wine and beer according to established standards.
• Maintain the quality and freshness of juices, syrups, garnishes, and other prepared ingredients.
• Communicate unavailable products, substitutions, ticket delays, and quality concerns promptly.
• Participate in pre-shift meetings, tastings, and ongoing beverage education.

Pool Deck Orders & Service Coordination

• Monitor incoming orders through the established POS and QR ordering process.
• Confirm order details and promptly flag duplicate, incomplete, or unclear orders.
• Prepare beverages using the serviceware approved for each guest area.
• Communicate completed orders, guest locations, and special instructions clearly to runners.
• Coordinate with server assistants, and the culinary team to support accurate delivery.
• Respond promptly to missing drinks, incorrect orders, spills, and remake requests.
• Keep the beverage pickup area organized so orders can be identified and delivered efficiently.
• Follow shift leadership’s direction when service is interrupted by weather, pool closures, or changes in guest volume.

Bar Setup, Inventory & Closing

• Complete assigned opening, running, and closing duties accurately and on time.
• Stock beverages, ice, garnishes, tools, and supplies for anticipated business levels.
• Keep the bar, service well, storage areas, and beverage pickup points clean and organized.
• Rotate products and label, date, store, and discard prepared ingredients according to established procedures.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate replenishment needs before products are depleted.
• Report breakage, spills, waste, and product discrepancies through established procedures.
• Assist with receiving, stocking, and inventory counts as assigned.
• Report equipment, refrigeration, supply, and facility concerns promptly.
• Secure alcoholic beverages, equipment, and assigned areas according to closing procedures.

Point-of-Sale & Payment Responsibilities

• Enter bar orders, modifications, and charges accurately into the POS.
• Follow established procedures for QR orders, room charges, payment processing, cash handling, tips, discounts, voids, and comps.
• Obtain required approval before applying adjustments or providing service recovery.
• Complete assigned checkouts, payment reconciliation, and shift documentation accurately.
• Report POS issues, duplicate charges, payment discrepancies, and billing concerns promptly to management.

Poolside Safety, Alcohol Compliance & Sanitation

• Follow ERHG and hotel policies, TABC requirements, health department standards, and responsible alcohol-service procedures.
• Verify identification when required and never serve alcohol to an underage guest.
• Recognize signs of intoxication and notify management when service should be slowed or discontinued.
• Follow approved restrictions on glass and other serviceware in pool areas.
• Follow established procedures for allergies and dietary restrictions; never guess about an ingredient.
• Practice proper handwashing and sanitary handling of ice, garnishes, beverages, and serviceware.
• Maintain safe, clear work areas and respond promptly to spills, broken containers, and other hazards.
• Follow established procedures for protecting beverage quality and sanitation during outdoor service.
• Report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and alcohol-related concerns immediately.
• Maintain required TABC and Food Handler certifications.

Standards & Conduct

• Uphold ERHG and Sítio El Tropicano’s image, values, hospitality standards, and appearance expectations.
• Arrive prepared, in proper uniform, and on time for every scheduled shift.
• Remain calm, organized, and attentive during high-volume service.
• Communicate respectfully with guests, teammates, and hotel pool staff.
• Support the Lead Bartender and other teammates while maintaining responsibility for assigned orders and guests.
• Complete assigned responsibilities accurately and within established timelines.
• Perform additional duties as reasonably assigned based on operational needs.

Qualifications

• Previous bartending experience in a full-service restaurant, hotel, resort, pool bar, or comparable hospitality environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Ability to prepare beverages consistently while managing bar guests and incoming service tickets.
• Strong hospitality, communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in an outdoor pool environment.
• Experience using a restaurant POS; familiarity with QR ordering systems preferred.
• Ability to remain composed and accurate during high-volume service.
• TABC and Food Handler certifications required or ability to obtain within the required timeframe.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during service.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Ability to safely handle bottles, ice, beverage supplies, and bar equipment.
• Ability to perform frequent bending, reaching, twisting, lifting, and repetitive movements.
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, sun, humidity, wind, and changing weather conditions.
• Ability to move safely around wet surfaces, pool-deck traffic, cleaning chemicals, and active bar equipment.
• Ability to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on operational needs.

Reports To: F&B Manager — Bar Nado and designated shift leadership.

Shift Direction: Works with the Lead Bartender on beverage execution, service flow, and assigned bar duties.

This job description provides a general overview of the position and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Responsibilities may evolve based on business and operational needs, and team members may be asked to perform other duties as reasonably assigned.