LILLY'S BAR · by Manly Spirits Distilling Co.
Venue/Bar Manager
Location: Manly, NSW | Type: Full-Time | Reports to: Managing Director
About Lilly's Bar
Lilly's Bar is the new venue home of Manly Spirits Distilling Co. — a craft distillery proudly rooted in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. We're about to open our doors and we want to do it properly. Lilly's is a place where locals linger, where our award-winning spirits are poured with confidence, and where every night has an energy worth coming back for.
Candidates must be available for an immediate start to support the venue launch.
We're looking for a Venue & Bar Manager who is comfortable building rosters and hitting a labour budget as they are crafting a signature serve and packing out a Thursday night. This is a hands‐on, high‐ownership role for someone who gets things done.
The Role
As Venue/Bar Manager, you'll lead the day‐to‐day operations of Lilly's Bar from opening to close. You'll own the P&L, build the team, execute a fresh drinks and food menu, and bring our weekly programming to life — from Aperitivo Hour on Fridays to Dirty Thursdays and La Casa di Lilly nights.
You'll work closely with the Managing Director and the Manly Spirits broader team, contributing to the brand story through every guest interaction and every well‐run shift.
What You'll Own Operations & Compliance
* Oversee end‐to‐end daily venue operations — opening, closing, preparation and presentation
* Maintain full liquor licensing compliance and uphold responsible service standards
* Ensure the venue is consistently presented to a high standard
* Manage supplier relationships and ensure invoices are processed promptly
* Own the guest experience and ensure any issues are resolved quickly and professionally
Team & Rosters
* Recruit, onboard and lead a high‐performing bar team
* Manage rosters proactively to support service standards and team wellbeing
* Maintain labour costs within the target range of approximately 25% of revenue
* Approve timesheets accurately and on schedule
Revenue & Programming
* Drive revenue growth against prior year benchmarks
* Develop and execute at least one revenue initiative per month (events, promotions, partnerships, activations)
* Submit initiative proposals 4 weeks in advance using the approved event template, including projected revenue, cost and margin
* Coordinate all event details with the marketing team via Asana, finalised 4 weeks before execution
* Complete post‐event reviews — actual vs. forecast
* Provide a concise weekly performance report for MD review.
Menu & Guest Experience
* Execute the Lilly's drinks and food menu from Day 1, ensuring both quality and efficient service
* Champion Manly Spirits products and educate bar staff on the full range
* Bring the weekly programming calendar to life: Dirty Thursdays, Aperitivo Hour, Spritz Sundays, La Casa di Lilly
* Maintain the venue's brand identity — coastal, confident, welcoming
* Ensure our on‐site experiences such as Gin Making classes are best in its class.
What We're Looking For
* Proven experience managing a busy bar or hospitality venue end‐to‐end
* Minimum 5+ years of bar or venue management experience is essential
* Experience opening a new venue or launching a concept will be highly regarded
* Commercial acumen — you understand margins, read reports and act on them
* Strong rostering and labour management skills — you know how to stay within budget without sacrificing service
* Excellent organisational skills — nothing falls through the cracks on your watch
* Experience activating events, theme nights or programming that drives foot traffic
* A natural leader who builds team culture and holds standards without micromanaging
* Involvement in social media shoots
* Great communicator — with your team, with guests, and with the MD
* Experience with a craft drinks brand or distillery is a bonus, not a requirement
* Australian work rights are required for this position
* Applicants must hold current Australian citizenship or permanent residency status
Performance & Bonus Structure
This role includes a performance‐based bonus of up to $2,000, assessed against the following KPI framework:
* Revenue Performance & Growth — 25%
* Financial Discipline & Reporting — 30%
* Venue Standards & Compliance — 10%
A minimum overall achievement of 90% is required for any bonus payment. Full KPI detail will be provided at time of offer.
Why Lilly's
* Be part of a genuine brand launch — you'll help shape the culture from day one
* Work directly with the MD and the Manly Spirits team — no middle layers
* A venue with real personality: craft cocktails, Mediterranean food, great music, weekly programming
* Competitive salary + performance bonus
* Staff product allocation and distillery access
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short cover letter telling us about a night you programmed or an event you ran that genuinely packed the room.
Include:
* The concept
* How you promoted it
* The result (attendance, revenue or bar spend)
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Applicant Questions
* Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
* How many years' experience do you have as a Bar Manager?
* Do you have experience preparing work rosters?
* How many years' experience do you have in event management?
* Do you hold a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate?
* Do you have cocktail bartending experience?
* Do you have experience with inventory management?
* Have you worked in a role where you were responsible for budget management & forecasting?
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