Job Description

Why us?

Iconic architecture, a thriving culinary scene, beautifully landscaped public spaces, and an array of museums are just part of what draws visitors to the Windy City. At The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, a luxury hotel set atop Water Tower Place in the historic Gold Coast, guests can explore everything Chicago has to offer—from shopping along Michigan Avenue to viewing renowned works at the Art Institute. Yet some of their most unforgettable moments happen in the glow of an evening cocktail lounge, where ambiance, service, and sophistication come together effortlessly.

As a Cocktail Lounge Server, you create a refined and engaging experience for every guest, blending attentive service with elevated style. From expertly presenting craft cocktails and curated menu offerings to anticipating needs and personalizing each interaction, you set the tone for a vibrant, luxurious atmosphere. Your ability to read the room, move with confidence, and deliver seamless service helps transform casual evenings into memorable celebrations.

Recognized as the gold standard of hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton selects only the most passionate and skilled hospitality professionals. As one of our Ladies and Gentlemen, you will reflect the values that make us the world’s finest luxury brand. Here, in a diverse environment where individual aspirations are fulfilled and quality of life is enhanced, you will be inspired to work alongside your fellow employees to bring special moments to life for our guests and each other.

Under general supervision, provides prompt and courteous food service to customers.

Responsibilities

• Greets and takes food and drink orders from restaurant customers, serving the orders and accommodating special needs/requests.
• Remains attentive to the customers throughout the entire dining experience, adhering to or exceeding service standards as established by the restaurant at all times.
• Completes all restocking and cleaning duties by performing opening and closing sidework as instructed.
• Memorizes menu items, recipes and daily specials in order to answer questions and make recommendation to customers.
• Maintains cleanliness standards in restaurant, wait station and kitchen service area in order to have a clean, presentable and attractive facility and to satisfy state and local health board requirements.
• Controls allocated guest checks by following established check-use procedures and legibly documenting all required information as the customer's order is taken and processed.
• Receives proper payment from guest and ensures accuracy of guest check and method of payment in order to safeguard customer and company.
• Attends all pre-meal and departmental meetings in person in order to enhance communications and gain knowledge of products, service and facility.
• Responds to customer inquiries and comments in person and on phone by providing timely and knowledgeable information in order to provide quality customer service.
• Presents a clean and professional appearance at all times.
• Maintains a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times.
• Performs other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management.

Qualifications

Education/Formal Training

Alcohol training and certification, TIPS Certified

Food Safety training and certification, ServSafe certified

Experience

Previous experience in similar position of 1 year or longer.

Knowledge/Skills

• Must be 21 years of age to serve alcoholic beverages.
• Must have basic knowledge of customer service principles, the food server function and restaurant and kitchen operations.
• Must know standard cash-handling procedures.
• Must be fluent in oral and written English
• Must have ability to perform multiple tasks at one time.
• Must be highly organized and able to pay attention to sound and sight details in crowded and noisy situations, particularly when handling multiple tasks.
• Must be able to use tact and understanding when dealing with a variety of customer service problems, including stressful and highly emotional situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying up to 50 lbs to include serving trays, carts, tables, chairs, and small equipment up to 75% of the time.
• Balancing, stooping kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching handling, fingering throughout the shift.
• Mobility -full range of mobility and the ability to travel up to 300 feet on a regular basis throughout the shift.
• Continuous standing -during preparation, during service hours or during expediting.
• Must have manual coordination to punch buttons, grasp items in hand, and to balance and carry trays loaded with food and beverages.
• Ability to hear customers, supervisors, and communicate with other staff.
• Ability to clearly see detailed guest checks, computer print outs, written instructions and to observe entire restaurant in dimly lit conditions.
• Ability to see that product is prepared appropriately.
• Must have moderate comprehension and literacy to read use records and all special requests.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instruction and be able to communicate both verbally and in writing.

Environment

Physically strenuous: prolonged standing, walking, lifting and carrying throughout entire shift in 95% indoor environment. Going in the freezer temperatures can be -10 degrees.

Benefits

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more

$20 - $30/hourly