Part-Time Beverage Specialist - Coffee Bar Jobs With Tips

About the Role

The Elite Job is hiring Part-Time Beverage Specialists for coffee bars that serve a high volume of specialty and seasonal drinks. Beverage specialists are intermediate-level baristas who have developed confident drink preparation skills and are ready to work a fast bar with accuracy and polish. If you know your way around an espresso machine, can steam milk to texture, and enjoy the craft of specialty beverage preparation — this is a step up from the typical entry-level café role and pays accordingly.

What You Will Do

• Prepare the full beverage menu including espresso-based drinks, blended specialty beverages, pour-over coffee, and cold brew variations
• Dial in the espresso grinder at the start of each shift and monitor shot quality throughout the day, adjusting as the grind shifts with humidity or temperature
• Execute seasonal menu items and limited-time offerings with consistency — new drinks go on the menu fast and you are expected to learn them faster
• Manage the drink queue during peak rush periods, calling drinks in order, building efficiently, and handing off accurately
• Engage customers at the bar with knowledge about the menu, coffee origins, and seasonal ingredients
• Maintain impeccable bar cleanliness — backflushing, wiping group heads, purging the steam wand, and cleaning the drip tray between every drink service cycle
• Mentor newer team members on drink preparation basics when the shift allows
• Communicate with the counter team about custom modifications, allergy substitutions, and out-of-stock items in real time

What You Need

• Minimum 3 – 6 months of barista experience — you must be able to work the bar independently from your first shift
• Confident espresso machine operation including grinder adjustment, shot pulling, and milk texturing
• Speed and accuracy under pressure — peak periods move fast and every drink needs to be right
• Genuine interest in the craft of specialty coffee — this is a beverage specialist role, not a generic café position
• Weekend availability preferred — beverage specialist shifts are heaviest on weekends
• Must be 16 or older

Nice to Have

• Latte art skills — pours visible from the handoff bar earn positive feedback from customers every time
• Familiarity with pour-over, Chemex, or AeroPress brewing methods
• SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) barista certification or coffee education coursework

What We Offer

• Pay of $14 – $17 per hour — above entry-level rate for demonstrated beverage skill
• High tip volume — specialty bars attract customers who tip generously for good craft
• Free coffee and food every shift
• A specialty coffee environment where your skills are understood and respected
• Flexible part-time scheduling with priority access to the highest-traffic shifts
• Paid sick leave and all applicable state and local employee protections

Beverage specialist is the right title for baristas who have moved past the learning phase and want to be recognized and paid for the craft they have developed. At The Elite Job, we match skilled baristas with specialty coffee bars that take quality seriously. Apply today.

The Elite Job is an equal opportunity employer. We place experienced baristas and beverage specialists at specialty coffee shops across the US.