Barista + Craft NA Cocktail Bartender

About Good News Bar

Good News Bar is San Diego’s first non-alcoholic bar. We exist to create a welcoming, inclusive, safe space for community, mental health awareness, and hope. We offer non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, dealcoholized wines, elevated non-alcoholic & functional beverages — all in a clear-minded environment. We believe in local, sustainable choices, gender inclusivity, and creating joy in small moments.

Position Summary

We’re seeking a passionate, versatile Barista + Craft NA Cocktail Bartender to work our recently launched morning program. This person will serve café-style drinks (coffee, tea, juices), as well as non-alcoholic craft cocktails. They will need strong skills in both barista craft and basic bartending/mixing. Our ideal candidate is friendly, reliable, solutions-oriented, and aligned with our mission of inclusion, sobriety, and community. This position is a part-time full-service role, including bussing and barbacking during scheduled shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and promptly, take drink orders, provide recommendations, build rapport and create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Educate customers about non-alcoholic options on the menu; i.e. answer questions about ingredients, flavors, and functionality.
• Mix and serve non-alcoholic beverages according to recipes, ensuring consistent quality, speed of service, and presentation.
• Stock, take inventory of, and request reorder of supplies (coffee beans, teas, syrups, fresh juices, non-alcoholic spirits, garnish items, etc.) as needed.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation guidelines.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of the beverage/service stations.
• Handle payments accurately by processing cash and card transactions in our POS, managing tabs, and preparing closing reports at the end of shifts.
• Complete cash drops and tip distributions at closing, when scheduled.
• Collaborate with the team on menu development, tasting and quality control.
• Maintain a well-stocked and clean retail area (bottleshop, beverage cooler and AD section).
• Follow open and close checklists at start and end of shifts, including end of shift recaps on Slack.
• Back bar station and bus seating areas during shifts.
• Unpack and properly store receivables and deliveries.
• Educate staff on all front of house daily procedures and drink recipes.
• Treat others with kindness and respect.
• Offer ideas and feedback on ways to improve the bar/customer experience.

Qualifications & Skills

• Prior experience as a barista (making espresso, steaming milk, etc.) required.
• Experience with seasonal menu development or recipe design a plus.
• Some bartending or mixology experience, preferably non-alcoholic or cocktail mixology.
• Knowledge of different coffee brewing methods, tea service, juice prep.
• Strong customer service skills; friendly, attentive, able to engage positively with a diverse clientele.
• Self-starter attitude that takes initiative, implements solutions, and keeps the best interest of the bar and customers in mind.
• Excellent attention to detail & consistency.
• Able to work in a fast-paced morning environment, with reliability in punctuality and shift coverage.
• Basic math/cash handling skills.
• Commitment to the values of Good News Bar: sobriety / non-alcoholic hospitality, inclusion, community, mental health awareness.

Working Conditions / Schedule

• Approximately 3 to 7 hour shifts during morning or evening program hours, with preference given to those with AM availability between 7 AM and 3 PM (AM shift 7/7:30 AM start through 2:30/3 PM, PM shift 3:30 PM - 10/10:30 PM)
• Must be able to stand for long periods, lift drink ingredients, work with both delicate barista machinery and bartending tools.
• Fast-paced environment with simultaneous drink orders and prep tasks.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage PLUS tips.
• Opportunities for creative contribution: menu ideation, workshops, community events.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace with values around mental health, sobriety, and community.

To Apply

Please send your resume and a brief note about why you’re excited about this role and any relevant beverage / barista / or bartending experience. If you have photos or descriptions of drinks you’ve created (coffee or cocktails), we invite you to share them.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person