JOB DETAILS
Bartender
CompanyIllegal Petes LLC
LocationBoulder
Work ModeOn Site
PostedAugust 5, 2026
About The Company
WE CELEBRATE HUMANITY. WE CELEBRATE INDIVIDUALITY. WE CELEBRATE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE CELEBRATE EVERY HUMAN’S NEED FOR TASTY FOOD, STIFF DRINKS AND GOOD TIMES. WELL, MAYBE IT’S NOT A NEED, BUT IT’S CERTAINLY A WANT. EITHER WAY, IT’S OUR DESIRE TO MAKE EACH ILLEGAL PETE’S LOCATION THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO TO CELEBRATE MORE WITH OTHER HUMANS.
When you ask Illegal Pete’s founder Pete Turner why he first opened a restaurant in 1995, he remembers his main goal: “I wanted to create a fun and energetic atmosphere with music playing, employees having fun, and I wanted to include our customers in the fun.”
Armed with a degree from CU, Pete started the original Illegal Pete’s on The Hill in Boulder, bringing Mission-style burritos to a bustling college neighborhood. Inspired by the name of a bar in a novel, he chose “Illegal Pete's” to convey the unique, counter-cultural atmosphere he wanted to foster.
It was also a personal choice: “The name resonated with me for the obvious reason that my name is Pete, but of equal importance, it was my father’s name. He was also a bit of a good-natured hell-raiser in his day, and he was my moral support during the months leading to opening and the two years of operation up to his death in August 1997.”
Over 20 years, Illegal Pete’s has expanded from that original location on The Hill to include 8 restaurants up and down Colorado’s front range and, in 2015, Pete brought Illegal Pete’s to Tucson, Arizona.
The pairing of fast, healthy food with a vibrant cultural atmosphere remains the core of the Illegal Pete’s experience. Not just a restaurant & bar, each location is also a music venue and hangout. You’ll see a lot of diversity at Pete’s, from the diners to the employees to the playlist jamming from the speakers. At Illegal Pete’s it’s about meeting the masses where their interests lie, and our ever-changing formula enables us to achieve this. As we say at Illegal Pete’s:The More.The Merrier.
About the Role
Description
Bartenders are more than drink makers - they are the hosts of the party, salespeople, and hospitality leaders. They create experiences, make high-quality drinks, build relationships, and help make every visit memorable for every guest.
“Do something just because it’s rad.” – Pete, founder of Illegal Pete’s
Bartender Expectations
Hospitality & Guest Experience
- Demonstrate genuine hospitality through eye contact, smiles, enthusiasm, and attentive service.
- Actively engage with guests throughout the dining room, patio and bar
- Maintain consistency, quality, and presentation standards for all beverages
- A smile, greeting, and eye contact take priority over stocking, cleaning or side work
- Focus on speed of service and guest first mentality
- Events like Bingo, Live Music, & DJs require participation and attention from the bartender to ensure success
Dining Room & Patio Service
- Maintain awareness of guest needs throughout all service areas
- Set the vibe through music, lighting, TVs , temperature (windows / garage doors), misters, heaters
- Support overall restaurant operations during peak periods
- Assist with line and dining area when necessary to ensure smooth operations
Cleanliness & Ownership
- Maintain cleanliness of glassware, equipment, storage areas, and service stations
- Ensure all guest-facing areas remain clean, organized, and welcoming
Teamwork & Professionalism
- Collaborate and communicate with managers, service team, support team and fellow bartenders
- Engage customers in a fun but professional manner
Safety and Compliance
- Follow all the health, safety, sanitation, and food handling procedures
- Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal alcohol regulations by verifying age, ensuring compliance with liquor laws, and serving alcohol responsibly.
- Monitor guest consumption and prevent over-service
- Report safety concerns, guest incidents, or maintenance issues promptly
- Complete all required certifications and training
- Follow company cash-handling and POS procedures accurately
Requirements
Qualifications
- Knowledge of beer, wine, spirits, cocktails and responsible alcohol service
- Ability to move quickly, and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates professionalism, accountability and urgency
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach and move throughout a shift
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
- Availability to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, and special events
- Drive beverage sales through suggestive selling and enthusiastic engagement
Illegal Pete’s Service Standards
- Guests are acknowledged immediately
- Hospitality comes before tasks
- Bartenders are the host of the party, meaning they own the guest experience throughout the restaurant
- Ask for help when needed, accept help when offered
- Actively engage all guests
- No cell phones on the floor
- Ensure the bar is tended to during operating hours
Illegal Pete’s Culture
- Support other crew members throughout the shift. Teamwork is a vital part of Illegal Pete’s.
- Our vision is to create an atmosphere that celebrates relaxed human connection. We accomplish this through above and beyond hospitality. The music in the restaurant, sports on TV, cleanliness of the dining room, and attentive service are all vital components of the guest experience.
What Success Looks Like
- Happy guests, great reviews, a clean space and a bar that's buzzing — that's the goal. You'll know you're crushing it when sales are climbing, and guests are singing your praises
About Illegal Pete’s
Ever been to a Chipotle and thought wow this place would be rad if it were more fun and the food tasted better? So did we!
Since 1995, we have been pushing the boundaries of what fast casual food is. It’s a place where people actually want to hang out. It is a place for Burritos Buddies and Beer! We use only the highest quality ingredients to make the best damn food and drinks you can find. Food that you will be proud to serve to your friends, your family, and every guest.
BUT….we go beyond serving delicious food and drinks, we are a part of the community. It is our mission to help give back to our crew, customers, and community by doing things the right way.
Application Window
Recruiting timelines vary by position, however, all Illegal Pete's positions accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days from the posting date listed. This position is open and still accepting applications.
Pay & Benefits
- $25.00 - $35.00 per hour including tips!
- Base rate starting at $13.80 and great services earns great money in tips
- Medical, dental, and vision for full-time team members
- 401k after 1 year
- Paid sick time
- No lame uniforms. Wear what makes you feel good.
- Support for local music, arts, and comedy
- Free concert tickets
- Free sporting event tickets
- Free & discounted meals
- Discounted Merch
Key Skills
HospitalityCustomer serviceBartendingDrink preparationCash handlingPOS systemsCommunicationInterpersonal skillsSalesSafety complianceSanitationTeamworkMultitaskingSuggestive sellingBeverage knowledge
Categories
HospitalityFood & BeverageCustomer Service & SupportRetail
Benefits
Medical insuranceDental insuranceVision insurance401kPaid sick timeFree concert ticketsFree sporting event ticketsFree and discounted mealsDiscounted merchandise
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
Bartenders are responsible for creating high-quality drinks, providing exceptional hospitality, and maintaining a clean and welcoming bar environment. They must also actively engage with guests, manage the restaurant vibe, and ensure compliance with all safety and alcohol service regulations.
📋Job Type
full time
💰Salary Range
$25 - $35
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
166
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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