The Work

As a Bar manager, tasks you may do on a daily basis include opening and closing the bar, managing staff and you often do the same work as your staff, i.e. serving customers, collecting and washing empty glasses, clearing ashtrays, taking orders for food and waiting on tables.

Many bar staff members work part-time hours, so the rosters have to be carefully worked out so that there are the right number of people on duty at any one time. It is the responsibility of the bar manager to ensure that all staff comply with laws relating to licensing and health and safety. A bar manager is typically also in charge of recruiting new staff and training existing staff.

Many pubs serve food ranging from snacks at lunchtime to high quality, restaurant standard meals. If food is served, additional health and safety policies must be in place and you will also work with the chef and any kitchen staff.

Bar managers do stock control, re-ordering supplies of food and drink before they run out. They supervise beer deliveries, and they may organise activities, entertainment and special offers that will bring in more customers.

A very important part of a bar manager’s job is enforcing the law regarding the sale of alcohol on the premises. The pub must have an age identification policy and the manager should ensure that all staff are fully aware of it.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Bar Manager is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Bar Manager apprenticeship

A Bar manager needs a lot of practical experience from working in pubs and bars and many managers have started out as bar tenders and worked their way up.

Academic qualifications are usually not required, but there are courses offered nationwide in various Institutes of technology in Hospitality Management and Business Studies which may be useful for managing a bar.

Most employers require any staff handling, storing or serving food to have HACCP/Food safety training completed. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point, and refers to procedures you must put in place to ensure the food you produce and serve is safe to consume. HACCP training is generally part of any chef training, but can also be accessed through some employers or other training providers. See more here

Some employers provide Manual handling training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed a Manual Handling certificate prior to employment, See here for more information about manual handling training from the Health and Safety Authority.

Training & Development

As a bar manager, you can develop your career further by managing a larger or more prestigious bar, by seeking work abroad, or you may even decide to open your own bar.

Progressing in your career is by building up experience and by undertaking additional qualifications and training. There are both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in hospitality management.

Traineeship Food & beverage service/ Barrista & Supervisory management NFQ levels 5-6 Further education training centre part time & full time Search our FET coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality, Hotel, Bar & Restaurant Studies, Restaurant & Bar Management at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship Bar Manager NFQ level 7 search apprenticeships

CAO entry Higher education Bar and Restaurant Management, Culinary Entrepreneurship courses at NFQ levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, locations, duties, shift pattern, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Excel/ Indeed/ Talent

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2023 but declined again in 2024, by 1,400 persons. Despite the decline in employment, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating job churn.

Bar staff had the highest share of persons employed aged 15 24 years, and along with waiters/waitresses, had the highest share of persons working part-time. Almost two-thirds of persons employed were male, the highest share across all hospitality occupations.

• Licensed Vintners Association

  • Anglesea House, Anglesea Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 668 0215
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Vintners Federation of Ireland

  • VFI House, Castleside Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
  • (01) 492 3400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here