Bar Manager CV Examples

Step 1: Add your contact details

The top of the CV should always have the contact details. This section should be clean and straightforward, giving employers everything they need to reach you quickly. 

What to include:

• Full name
• Location: Add your town or city (no need for a full street address).
• Phone number
• Email address: Choose a professional email format, such as firstname.lastname@email.com.
• Optional links: A LinkedIn profile can be helpful.

Example contact section

Step 2: Write your bar manager personal statement

Your CV summary (also known as a personal statement) sits just below your contact details. It’s a short paragraph that introduces your experience, key strengths and what you aim to bring to a bar manager role.

For a bar manager CV, this section should highlight leadership, customer service excellence and operational knowledge. Think about the qualities that make you effective in a busy venue — confidence, organisation, problem-solving and the ability to motivate a team.

What to include:

• Who you are – e.g. “Experienced bar supervisor with strong leadership and customer service skills.”
• Key strengths – e.g. “Skilled in staff training, stock control, rota planning and maintaining high service standards.”
• Goal or focus – e.g. “Seeking a bar manager role where I can lead a team and deliver consistent, high-quality service.”

Example CV summary

Step 3: Highlight your hospitality and leadership experience

The work experience section is the most essential part of the CV. This is where employers look for evidence of leadership, operational responsibility and the ability to run a bar efficiently. Focus on roles where you’ve supervised staff, improved service quality, managed stock or handled busy shifts.

If you’ve progressed through hospitality roles, highlight that journey. Moving from bartender to supervisor to manager demonstrates growth, drive and hands-on experience.

For each role, include:

• Job title (e.g. Bar Supervisor, Assistant Manager, Bar Manager)
• Venue name
• Dates of employment
• A few bullet points showing key responsibilities and achievements

Tip: Start each bullet point with a strong verb such as led, managed, trained, improved, introduced or streamlined.

Example work experience section

Step 4: Add your core skills

The skills section gives employers a quick snapshot of what you bring to a bar manager role. This is where you show your strengths in leadership, organisation and bar operations.

Include a balanced mix of management, customer-facing, and operational skills. Keep the list short and focused so it’s easy for recruiters to scan.

How to write it:

• Add 6–8 key skills in bullet points.
• Keep each one short and specific.
• Focus on the abilities bar manager job adverts mention most — such as staff supervision, stock control and customer service.

Examples of skills to include:

Step 5: List your qualifications and industry training

Your education section gives employers a quick overview of your studies and any training you’ve completed. For most bar manager roles, a university degree isn’t required — strong hospitality experience, leadership skills, and industry knowledge usually matter more. However, relevant qualifications or certificates can still support your application and show professionalism.

List your education in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent. If you’ve completed any hospitality-related courses, include them here — they demonstrate initiative, commitment and a solid understanding of bar operations.

Valid certificates for bar managers include Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Personal Licence Holder (PLH) training and customer service courses.

What to include in a bar manager CV:

• School, college, or training provider
• Qualification type (GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs, diplomas, hospitality courses)
• Subjects and grades (if relevant)
• Dates attended or year completed
• Additional certificates or licences

Example education section