Apprenticeship Bar Manager NFQ level 7 Entry requirements: 

Candidates for this programme must meet the following profile:

• Must be employed and sponsored by an employer.

• Must have a minimum of one year full-time or two years part-time work experience in the sector.

• English language entry requirements - CEF B2+ or equivalent. Candidates with English language levels below CEF B2+ must first reach this minimum standard before enrolling on the academic programme.

Candidates for this programme must hold at least one of the following academic qualifications:

• Leaving Certificate: 5 subjects at O6/H7 grade, to include English, and a minimum of foundation Mathematics.

• A relevant FET level 5 or 6 major award, with at least 4 distinctions

• Equivalent qualification mapped to the national framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Mature applicants [i.e. over the age of 23] who do not hold the above academic qualifications, but have the required work experience in the sector, are recommended by their employer, and who demonstrate the right attitudes and behaviours, will also be eligible to apply. Candidates are invited to attend a pre-enrolment session to verify that they meet the entry requirements. 

View more details on this apprenticeship at Griffith College Limerick    

Preparation & Development options

There are many pathways to develop your skills, experience, and qualifications for a career in Bar management & Hospitality

FET Centre Traineeship Supervisory Management & Leadership for Hospitality, Hospitality Operations NFQ level 5-6 search FET courses 

FET Centre PLC Course  Bar, Resturant, and Business management NFQ level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

This is a three-year apprenticeship where you will earn a Bachelor of Arts (NFQ Level 7) and step into the industry as a fully qualified bar manager.

This apprenticeship prepares you for leadership roles across the hospitality and leisure industries, offering a versatile platform for career progression or transition into higher education.

By the end of your training, you will be able to:

Duration

• 3 Years
• 30 days per year
• 2 x 15-week semesters each year

The programme is a 3-year apprenticeship programme. 

Course content

Year 1

• Personal and Academic Development
• Effective Business Communication
• Food Management & Safety Operations
• Fundamentals of Finance
• Beverage Management
• Bar Operations – Stock Management
• Food Safety Fundamentals

Year 2 

• Bar Regulations
• Sustainable Operations
• Marketing Management
• Managing People
• Contemporary Issues for the Bar Industry
• Operational and Financial Management
• Business Proposal Project
• Event Management

Year 3 

• Management of Food Safety
• Effective Procurement
• Social Media Management
• Lean Business Strategies
• Talent Development
• Strategic Management
• Professional Perspectives on Emerging Trends
• Business Development Project

Click here to view more details on the curriculum in the Griffith College Information pack for apprentices    

View more details on this apprenticeship at Griffith College    

To succeed as a bar manager, you need to combine the roles of an organiser, hands-on worker, business manager, and sociable host.

Key qualities for the role of Bar Manager:

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills: You must be able to motivate your staff and handle customers with excellent interpersonal skills. This involves being a "friendly ear" for patrons while using tact and diplomacy to manage more demanding individuals.

Conflict Resolution: You need a sharp eye to spot potential trouble before it starts and the ability to calm situations down effectively.

Physical Stamina: The role is physically demanding and requires high energy. You will be on your feet most of the time in a busy, noisy environment, performing tasks such as changing heavy beer barrels and larger kegs.

Operational Flexibility: The hours are long and varied; you might be supervising beer deliveries before breakfast and updating computerised accounting systems at midnight.

Business & Financial Acumen: Sound business sense and an imaginative outlook are essential. You must also possess vital numeracy skills for accurate bookkeeping and cash handling.

Key skills for the role include:

• Leadership & People Skills
• Business Operations
• Physical fitness and stamina 
• Proactive Problem-Solving
• Operational Management

Click on Career Explorer to to learn more about this career. 

Visit Tourism Careers to learn more about this sector. 

View more details on this apprenticeship at Griffith College Limerick    

Going to the pub or bar is one of Ireland's most traditional and popular social activities. Bar managers play a key role in ensuring that customers have an enjoyable and safe experience, while also keeping the business profitable and well-run.

Types of Pubs and Bars
There are many types of pubs and bars in Ireland, including:

• Traditional pubs
• Wine bars
• Inns and gastropubs
• Café bars
• Theme bars and super-pubs

Each type offers a different atmosphere. Some are family-friendly, others focus on live music, sports screenings, or high-quality dining. Many now serve a wide range of food, from lunch snacks to restaurant-standard meals. 

Despite these differences, bar managers across all venues share many core responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Staff Management
Managing people is one of the main parts of the job. Bar managers typically oversee: 

• Bar staff, floor staff, cleaners, and kitchen or catering staff (often part-time or seasonal)
• Staff training, scheduling, and rostering to ensure adequate cover at busy times
  Motivation and team development to maintain high service standards. 

2. Operations and Stock Control
Bar managers handle the day-to-day running of the business, including:

• Ordering and managing stock of food, beverages, and supplies
• Supervising deliveries and ensuring proper storage
• Overseeing cash handling and banking
• Maintaining health, safety, and hygiene standards

3. Customer Experience and Promotion
To attract and retain customers, bar managers plan:

• Live entertainment, special promotions, or themed events
• Marketing activities, including social media and local partnerships
• Consistently high levels of customer service

4. Legal Responsibilities
A vital part of the role involves complying with Irish licensing and employment laws. Bar managers must:

• Enforce laws governing the sale and service of alcohol
• Ensure an effective age identification policy is in place and followed by all staff
• Uphold health and safety, fire safety, and security regulations

Failure to comply with these laws can lead to fines, loss of licence, or closure of the premises.

Skills and Competencies
A successful bar manager in Ireland should be able to:

• Understand the industry, its products, and its operating practices
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people: customers, employees, suppliers, regulators, and the public
• Demonstrate strong business skills in finance, marketing, and people management
  Plan effectively, including rostering and scheduling staff
• Set and meet performance targets through effective standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Click on Career Explorer to to learn more about this career. 

Visit Tourism Careers to learn more about this sector. 

View more details on this apprenticeship at Griffith College Limerick   

Higher Education & Continuous professional development options:

Higher education CAO entry: Progression Business management, Hospitality/ Culinary Enterprise, Hospitality Management NFQ level 8 search CAO courses  

Skillnets Food & Drink Skillnet Network CPD courses Hospitality & Food and beverage management search Skillnets 

Springboard courses Hospitality management & guest experience NFQ Level 8 (Component certification) search Springboardcourses

Post graduate study Hospitality Management NFQ level 9 Search post grad courses

On completion of an apprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business.

The links below may be useful to support you:

• Local Enterprise Offices     For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships     For profit enterprise support
• Franchising      Developing your business under an established franchise

To become an apprentice in Ireland, you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS     in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page    . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.

View the list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type here    .

Your local Education and Training Board     may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

This apprenticeship is managed by Griffith College Limerick. If you are interested in the bar manager apprenticeship, you should make contact with Griffith College via the contact details below.

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Bar Manager Apprenticeship brochure    . 

View more details on this apprenticeship at Griffith College Limerick    

Contact Griffith College Limerick at the contact details below:

Anthony Brosnan
Griffith College Limerick
Tel: +353 (0)61 533835
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.griffith.ie/faculties/apprenticeships/bar-management-apprentices

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

Student Contribution

Apprentices complete their off-the-job training in a higher education institution, for which they are required to pay a student contribution.

The amount payable is a proportion of the annual student contribution for students attending a full-time course in higher education. The student contribution is paid directly to the higher education institution over the three years.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job and off-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.