Cocktail Bartender

Shake things up at iconic AO Arena. Join The Mezz as a Cocktail Bartender and serve premium drinks in a fast-paced, energetic live events environment. If you have great cocktail knowledge, love delivering exceptional guest service, and thrive under pressure, we'd love to hear from you. 🍸✨

The Venue

A true powerhouse of live entertainment, AO Arena is one of the enigmatic indoor arenas on the planet, welcoming more than 30 million fans since 1997. From era‑defining music moments to major sporting spectacles, the arena sits at the heart of Manchester’s global reputation for live events. Following a £50 million transformation, AO Arena continues to set the standard of live entertainment both in Manchester and on the world stage.

The Role

This is a casual, event-based position, ideal for individuals seeking flexible work around other commitments. Shifts are offered in line with AO Arena's busy live event schedule, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

As a Cocktail Bartender in The Mezz, you craft premium drinks at speed while engaging guests in a buzzing pre-show, interval, and post-show atmosphere. You’ll deliver consistent classics, signature serves, and elevated non-alcoholic options across bar and restaurant.

The Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and zero-proof serves to spec, quickly and consistently during peaks and intervals.

• Guest service: take orders, make recommendations, and deliver warm, efficient hospitality; manage tabs and upsell premium pours and pairings.

• Responsible service: uphold Challenge 25, monitor guest consumption; follow all licensing and safety requirements.

• Bar readiness: stock, prep garnishes/ice, set stations pre-event; maintain cleanliness, glassware standards, and hygiene during service.

• Process payments accurately, manage tabs, and maintain till integrity.

• Collaboration: coordinate with floor staff and pass servers for seamless service to restaurant and VIP tables.

• Close-down: complete end-of-shift counts, wastage logs, cleaning, and restock for next event.

What we're looking for

• Previous cocktail bartending experience with strong spirits knowledge.

• Ability to work quickly and accurately in a high-volume environment.

• A confident, guest-focused approach with excellent communication skills.

• Knowledge of allergens and basic food safety practices.

• Availability to work flexible, casual shifts, including evenings, weekends, and event days as required.

• A positive attitude and enthusiasm for delivering exceptional experiences at live events.

What's in it for you?

💸 Competitive Rate of Pay – Earn a strong hourly rate for your work.

⏰ Flexible Working – Choose shifts that fit around your lifestyle and commitments, helping you maintain a great work-life balance.

📅 Fortnightly Pay – Get paid every two weeks for the shifts you’ve worked.

🎉 Sociable Workforce – Join a diverse and friendly team from across the city. Our casual workforce forms the heart of what we do – it’s a great environment to meet people, make friends, and be part of exciting live events.

🚀 Opportunities to Grow – Gain valuable experience in the live events industry and access to opportunities across Legends Global.

Recruitment Process Outlined

• As part of the application, candidates will be asked to record a short video response to a couple of questions, allowing us to get to know you beyond your CV.

• Applications and videos will be reviewed by the Legends Global team, with successful candidates invited to an induction and interview at AO Arena.

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks. These may include verification of identity, proof of address, right to work, employment history, qualifications, and—where relevant to the role—a basic or enhanced DBS check. All checks will be carried out in line with data protection law and we will only request information that is necessary for the role.

Inclusive Workplace

At Legends Global , we are committed to leading the entertainment industry towards a greener, faster, and more innovative digital future. There’s never been a better time to join our team. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. Join us and make a significant impact from day one.

We are committed to active inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. This commitment begins with our recruitment and selection process. We welcome discussions about flexible working arrangements.

If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know in your application. We are dedicated to providing a fair and transparent assessment process and will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered. We will continue to review applications on a rolling basis and may close the advert before the closing date.