NYC restaurant jobs
Bartender jobs in NYC
Bartending jobs in NYC range from high-volume sports bars to cocktail programs and hotel lobbies. The right fit depends on the kind of bar, the shifts, and how the tips work, so it helps to be clear about what you want.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.
What bartenders usually look for
- A bar style that suits you: cocktails, beer and wine, high-volume, restaurant service bar, or hotel.
- The nights you want, since weekend shifts and weeknight shifts can feel like different jobs.
- A clear explanation of how tips are pooled or shared.
- A team and manager who back you up on busy nights.
Searching for bartender work in NYC
- Many bars expect a trial shift before hiring. Ask how it works and whether it is paid.
- Alcohol awareness training (such as a New York ATAP course) is not always required, but some employers value it.
- Some bartenders start as barbacks at a venue and move up. See barback jobs.
- Late closes are common. Plan your route home for the actual end of the night.
Borough and location flexibility
Relay asks which borough you want to work in first: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, or anywhere in NYC. After that you can pick the areas you prefer, or skip it. Being honest about your commute helps, because a job that looks good on paper is not a fit if getting home after close is hard.
Schedule and pay preferences
Bartender pay usually combines an hourly wage and tips, and it changes a lot by venue and night. Relay lets you share the days and times you can work and the lowest hourly base you would accept. Relay does not estimate tips or promise earnings.
How Relay works
- Tell Relay what job you want once: your role, the part of NYC you want to work in, and how to reach you.
- Add schedule, pay and experience later if you want. It is optional and you can skip it.
- When an opportunity looks like a fit for what you told us, we contact you. You decide what to pursue.
- Relay is free for workers. There is no account or password. Relay does not guarantee a job.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I say what kind of bar I want?
- Yes. After signup you can add optional details about your experience and what you are looking for.
- Does Relay post bartender jobs?
- Relay is not a job board. You tell us what you want, and we contact you when an opportunity looks like a fit.
- Is it free?
- Yes. Relay is free for workers.
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Tell Relay what job you want
Relay connects you to relevant openings. It does not guarantee employment.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.