Ugly Dumpling – Linden, NJ – 661 W Edgar Rd Bartender Job
Now Hiring: Bartender – Craft Cocktails & Bubble Tea | Ugly Dumpling
Job Title: Bartender | Mixologist | Bubble Tea Bartender
Location: Ugly Dumpling Bar & Restaurant
Position Type: ☒ Full-Time | ☒ Part-Time
Reporting To: Manager / Assistant General Manager
Hours: 30-40 hours/week (full-time) | Variable for part-time
FLSA Status: ☐ Exempt | ☒ Nonexempt
Pay Range: Hourly Base Wage + Tips (Uncapped Earning Potential)
About the Role: The Soul of the Bar
At Ugly Dumpling, our bar is more than a place to grab a drink — it’s a stage. We are looking for a charismatic, skilled, and passionate Bartender who can craft signature cocktails with precision, shake up bubble tea with flair, and make every guest feel like a regular. You’ll be the face of our beverage program, blending classic mixology with the fun, playful energy of Asian-inspired drinks. If you love high-volume environments, take pride in your garnish game, and can handle a busy bar while keeping a smile on your face, we want you behind our stick.
Why Join Ugly Dumpling as a Bartender?
- High Earning Potential: Hourly base wage + tips (our bartenders earn well).
- Unique Drink Menu: Master both craft cocktails AND bubble tea — a rare and valuable skill set.
- Fun, Energetic Environment: Work with a team that actually enjoys being together.
- Growth Opportunities: Bartender → Lead Bartender → Bar Manager → AGM.
- Free / Discounted Meals: Enjoy our famous dumplings and bao on your breaks.
- Consistent Scheduling: Full-time and part-time options with reliable shifts.
Bartender: Duties & Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Guest Engagement: Greet every guest warmly, engage in genuine conversation, and ensure every bar seat feels like the best seat in the house.
- Beverage Crafting: Prepare and serve a wide range of drinks including craft cocktails, draft/bottled beer, wine, bubble tea (boba), and non-alcoholic beverages with consistency and artistic flair.
- Menu Recommendations: Confidently recommend drinks based on guest preferences and food pairings from our famous Ugly Dumpling food menu (dumplings, bao, noodles).
- Problem Solving: Handle guest concerns professionally and promptly — turn complaints into comeback stories.
- Recipe Adherence: Accurately mix and prepare every drink according to Ugly Dumpling’s proprietary recipes and standards — no freelancing during rush.
- Garnish & Presentation: Ensure proper garnish preparation, glassware selection, and beverage presentation for photo-worthy, Instagrammable drinks.
- Bar Maintenance: Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked bar throughout your entire shift (clean as you go).
- Legal Compliance: Strictly adhere to all local, state, and federal alcohol service laws (ABC/TIPS certified or willing to become certified).
- Inventory Control: Monitor stock levels of liquor, mixers, syrups, bubble tea ingredients, and garnishes — communicate restocking needs before you run out.
- Safety & Sanitation: Follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines to ensure a safe environment for guests and staff.
- Cash Handling: Accurately process cash, credit card transactions, and complete end-of-shift closing procedures (cash drops, tip reporting).
- Team Collaboration: Work seamlessly with servers, barbacks, bussers, and kitchen staff to deliver flawless service.
- Pre-Shift Meetings: Participate in daily pre-shift huddles to review specials, 86’d items, and VIP guests.
- Training: Assist in training new bartenders or barbacks on systems, recipes, and Ugly Dumpling culture.
- Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned by management to support bar and restaurant operations.
Bartender: Requirements & Essential Functions
What you’ll need to succeed in this role:
- Experience: Previous bartending experience in a high-volume restaurant or bar setting preferred (2+ years ideal, but we’ll consider the right personality).
- Mixology Knowledge: Strong understanding of classic and modern cocktails, beer styles, wine varietals, and non-alcoholic beverages (bubble tea experience is a huge plus).
- Customer Service Superpowers: Exceptional interpersonal skills — you can make a solo diner feel like a VIP.
- Multitasking Mastery: Ability to juggle 6+ tickets, 3 conversations, and a blender without breaking a sweat.
- POS & Cash Handling: Familiarity with POS systems (Toast, Aloha, Square, or similar) and basic cash handling procedures.
- Legal Knowledge: Working knowledge of local, state, and federal alcohol service laws (must be of legal drinking age).
- Physical Requirements: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs (kegs, cases of liquor, ice buckets) and stand for extended periods (full 8+ hour shifts).
- Attitude: A positive, can-do attitude, obsessive attention to detail, and genuine passion for creating memorable guest experiences.
- Schedule Reliability: Must be available for nights, weekends, and holidays — our busiest bar hours.
- Appearance: Compliance with Ugly Dumpling’s dress code and personal appearance standards (clean, professional, branded where required).
What Success Looks Like as Our Bartender
- Your average ticket time is under 4 minutes for drinks.
- You upsell premium spirits and signature cocktails — increasing bar sales by 15%+ on your shifts.
- Guests request to sit at your bar by name.
- Your bar station is always stocked, clean, and organized — even during a rush.
- You never overserve and always check IDs.
- The GM trusts you to close the bar correctly every single time.
Bartender Drink Menu Highlights (What You’ll Make)
- Signature Cocktails: Dumpling-inspired infusions, Asian-spiced old fashioneds, sake-based spritzes
- Bubble Tea: Milk teas, fruit teas, slushies, popping boba, cheese foam toppings
- Beer & Wine: Local craft beers, Asian lagers, curated wine list
- Non-Alcoholic: House-made sodas, mocktails, specialty lemonades
Physical Requirements (Summary)
- Standing/Walking: 100% of shift
- Lifting/Carrying: Up to 25 lbs frequently (ice, liquor cases, glass racks)
- Bending/Stooping: Frequent (low-boy fridges, ice bins, glassware shelves)
- Repetitive Motion: Constant (shaking, pouring, washing glassware)
- Noise Level: High (music, conversation, blenders, dish machine)
Schedule & Availability
- Full-Time: 30-40 hours/week (eligible for benefits where required by law)
- Part-Time: 15-25 hours/week (evenings and weekends strongly preferred)
- Required Availability: Nights, weekends, and holidays — our bar is busiest Thursday through Sunday
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Ugly Dumpling fully complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other legally protected status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members — including behind the bar.
Ready to shake, stir, and serve? Apply today to become Ugly Dumpling’s next Bartender — where every drink tells a story.