| Company | KIGO Dubai |
| Position | Bartender |
| Location | Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, Dubai, UAE |
| Cuisine | Japanese fine dining (omakase and kaiseki) |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Salary | As per company standards |
A bartender in a Michelin-starred restaurant does more than make drinks. You help shape how the whole evening feels. KIGO, the Japanese fine dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, is hiring a Bartender, and if you love thoughtful, precise beverage service, this is worth your attention.
About KIGO
KIGO serves sushi omakase and kaiseki menus in the heart of DIFC. It earned one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Dubai, and its team received the Michelin Service Award for warm, professional hospitality. That tells you what to expect behind the bar too: calm, careful and very guest-focused.
What Bartending Looks Like Here
Forget loud, flashy bartending. In a Japanese fine dining setting, the craft is quieter. You’ll pay attention to detail, balance and timing, and you’ll work closely with the service team so every drink suits the meal. Guests may ask for sake, Japanese whisky, wine, cocktails or non-alcoholic pairings, and they’ll expect you to guide them with confidence.
Your Main Responsibilities
- Prepare cocktails, mocktails and other beverages to the restaurant’s recipes and standards
- Serve sake, whisky, wine, beer and spirits with correct technique and presentation
- Recommend drinks that complement the menu and the guest’s taste
- Set up the bar before service and keep it clean and organised
- Check stock levels, rotate products and report shortages early
- Prepare garnishes, syrups and infusions where required
- Work closely with waiters and sommeliers so orders go out smoothly
- Follow responsible alcohol service and hygiene rules
- Handle payments and bar paperwork accurately
- Close the bar properly at the end of service
Who They’re Looking For
- Experience as a bartender in a hotel, fine dining restaurant or high-end bar
- Good knowledge of classic cocktails, spirits and wine
- Interest in or knowledge of sake and Japanese spirits is a strong plus
- Excellent English and polished guest interaction
- Neat grooming and a calm, professional presence
- Ability to stay organised and accurate during busy services
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays
- A UAE visa status that allows you to be hired
A Typical Shift Behind the Bar
A shift usually starts well before the first guest arrives. You’ll check stock, prepare garnishes and ice, polish glassware and make sure every bottle is where it should be. During service, you’ll move between making drinks, supporting the floor and keeping the bar looking calm and tidy. After the last guest leaves, there’s cleaning, restocking and handing over notes for the next team. It’s detailed work, and the people who enjoy it are usually the ones who like things done properly rather than just done quickly.
The Skills That Separate Good From Great
Technique matters, of course. But in a fine dining bar, the best bartenders are also great listeners. They notice whether a guest wants something light or bold, quick or slow, adventurous or familiar. They suggest rather than push. That’s what turns a good drink into a good memory.
Product knowledge helps hugely. If you can explain the difference between two styles of sake, or why a certain whisky works with a particular dish, guests trust you immediately.
Why This Job Is a Smart Career Move
A Michelin-starred restaurant on your CV is hard to ignore. From here, you can grow into senior bartender, bar supervisor or head bartender roles, or move into beverage programmes at luxury hotels. Working with a service team that has been recognised internationally is a great place to learn habits that last.
Application Tips
- Mention the venues you’ve worked in and the kinds of drinks you specialised in
- Add any bartending, wine or sake certifications you hold
- Keep your CV simple and easy to read on a phone
- Be honest about your experience, because the trial will show the truth
