Restaurant & Lounge Manager (Upscale Hospitality & Nightlife)

Job Title: Restaurant & Lounge Manager (Upscale Hospitality & Nightlife)

Location: Washington, DC

Company: Vortex Restaurant & Lounge

Hours: 20-25 Hous Per Week

About Us

Vortex Restaurant & Lounge is an upscale, high-energy venue in Washington, DC, offering a seamless blend of elevated dining and curated nightlife. Our focus is on delivering a polished guest experience—from refined dinner service to a vibrant, late-night atmosphere.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Restaurant & Lounge Manager with a strong background in upscale, full-service dining who is equally comfortable operating in a high-volume nightlife environment.

This role requires a leader who can uphold exceptional service standards, manage a refined dining room, and confidently transition operations into a dynamic late-night setting.

Key ResponsibilitiesDining Room Leadership (Core Focus)

• Oversee dinner and brunch service with a focus on precision, pacing, and elevated guest experience
• Maintain strict standards for service, presentation, and hospitality
• Manage reservations, floor plans, and seating flow to maximize efficiency and guest satisfaction
• Ensure seamless coordination between front-of-house and back-of-house teams
• Handle guest relations with professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail

Nightlife & Lounge Operations

• Lead late-night service, ensuring a smooth transition from dining to lounge environment
• Oversee VIP service, table experience, and guest flow in a high-energy setting
• Coordinate with DJs, promoters, and security to maintain a controlled and upscale atmosphere
• Balance energy and service standards to ensure consistency throughout the night

Team Leadership & Development

• Train and mentor staff on fine dining service standards, upselling techniques, and guest engagement
• Lead pre-shift meetings focused on execution, product knowledge, and service expectations
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and hospitality excellence

Operations & Performance

• Monitor daily performance across food, beverage, and nightlife revenue streams
• Manage labor, scheduling, and operational efficiency
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and company standards
• Collaborate with leadership on event programming and continuous improvement of the guest experience

Qualifications

• 3+ years of management experience in upscale or high-end full-service restaurants
• Proven ability to lead teams in high-volume, fast-paced environments
• ABRA License Required
• Experience or familiarity with lounge/nightlife operations preferred
• Servesafe & Clean Hands Preferred
• Elevated service standards and guest experience
• Dining room flow, pacing, and table management
• Food & beverage operations, including bar and cocktail programs
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Professional presence with the ability to command a room while maintaining hospitality

What We’re Looking For

• A polished hospitality professional who takes pride in service execution and guest experience
• A leader who can maintain structure and standards in the dining room, while adapting to a high-energy nightlife environment
• Someone who understands that great service and great atmosphere must coexist

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person