Bar Manager – Understory

Every drink has a story. Every dish has a story. Come write yours.

Help Build Edinburgh's Next Great Bar

Some bars are built to follow trends. Understory is being built to set them.

After a period of significant investment and revitalisation, Understory - formally Heads & Tales, is the newest concept from Signature Group. We're creating a destination cocktail bar inspired by the world's best venues, blending exceptional hospitality with bold creativity, modern techniques and unforgettable guest experiences. Think less traditional cocktail bar and more neighbourhood institution with world-class standards.

If you've ever dreamed of leading a venue where your ideas matter, where innovation is encouraged, and where you can build a reputation for creating one of Scotland's most exciting bar teams, we'd love to hear from you. You'll be taking on a venue post-investment and post-rebrand, which means you understand what a relaunch actually involves — the momentum you need to build, the standards you need to embed from day one, and the dedication in between.

You're not here to maintain a concept. You're here to build one.

The Role

As Bar Manager / General Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day operation of Understory, taking ownership of everything from service standards and team culture to drinks development and commercial performance.

You'll work alongside our senior leadership team to establish Understory as one of Edinburgh's must-visit cocktail destinations, with aspirations to compete alongside the UK's leading independent bars.

We look to the World's 50 Best Bars — not for a blueprint, but to chase what they chase: creativity, quality and genuine hospitality.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Leading and inspiring a high-performing bar and junior management team.
• Delivering exceptional guest experiences every shift.
• Creating a culture that people are proud to be a part of.
• Recruiting, coaching and developing talented bartenders.
• Working collaboratively alongside our "Head of Bars" on innovative seasonal cocktail menus.
• Exploring modern cocktail techniques, premium ingredients and creative presentation.
• Managing stock, ordering and GP performance.
• Driving sales while maintaining outstanding standards.
• Driving repeat visits through close collaboration with marketing and events.
• Maintaining impeccable cleanliness, compliance and operational excellence.

Who We're Looking For

• We're looking for someone who is ambitious, creative and obsessed with hospitality.
• You don't need to have worked in one of the World's 50 Best Bars—but you should be inspired by them.

You'll probably have:

• Experience managing a premium cocktail bar or high-quality hospitality venue.
• A genuine passion for cocktails, spirits and drinks innovation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Commercial awareness and confidence managing labour, stock and profitability.
• High standards and exceptional attention to detail.
• Energy, personality and a natural ability to build relationships with guests.

Experience of a venue launch or relaunch is highly desirable — you'll understand the complete journey from driving initial footfall, to delivering a first-class first impression, to building lasting guest loyalty.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who wants to leave their mark.

What You'll Receive:

• £38,000 salary.
• Excellent tips.
• 45-hour working week.
• Creative freedom to help shape the drinks programme.
• Opportunities for supplier visits, training and industry development.
• The opportunity to shape a concept from day one — and attach your name to one of Edinburgh's most exciting new openings.
• Career progression within one of Edinburgh's leading independent hospitality businesses.

Why Understory?

Understory isn't trying to be another cocktail bar.

We're creating an intimate, design-led venue built around remarkable drinks, genuine hospitality and experiences that guests remember long after they leave.

This is your opportunity to join at the beginning of that journey and help build something the industry talks about.

If you're excited by the idea of creating one of Scotland's most talked-about bars, we'd love to hear from you.