Overview
Bar Assistant – Variable Hours – Westminster, SW1A 0PW
We are looking for a Bar Assistant – Variable Hours to join our Catering and Retail Services team at the House of Lords. This is a position where you will ensure that a high standard of customer service and presentation is always offered through the provision of food and beverages for Peers, their guests, and Staff of the House. You will maximise sales and profitability and achieve targets through your prompt and efficient service.
This role will usually be based in the Woolsack bar, however there is a requirement to cover other service areas of the Catering and Retail Services Department when the needs of the House demand, including the River Restaurant and Bar and require a range of service skills.
Variable hours staff are booked one week ahead according to business needs and their availability.
This this position is predominantly evening based and an opportunity to work onsite at Parliament!
You’ll be accountable for/to:
- Work effectively, ensuring that the highest standards of customer service is maintained at all times.
- Dispense of a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, in a timely and efficient manner.
- Ensure that high standards of housekeeping, cleanliness of premises and equipment are maintained at all times.
- A proactive approach to maximising additional sales opportunities for increasing revenue and profitability.
- Ensure good rotation of stock at all times and that sale points are stocked for service.
- Be responsible for accurate cash and card payment handling and for the float at the end of the shift.
If this sounds like something you would like to hear more about, please apply.
What we’re looking for:
- A strong and confident communicator.
- Knowledgeable – a good understanding of Bar operations.
- A good standard of customer service.
It would be even better if you had or are willing to learn:
- Experience of cash handling and using an EPOS system.
The job description provides full details about the role and what we are looking for.
What you’ll get in return:
- Generous pension scheme.
- Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
- The opportunity to witness history in the making!
The work we do is vital to House of Lords, and you will be a pivotal member in the team strengthening the work of the House. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. It is independent from and complements the work of the House of Commons to:
- Make laws.
- Check and challenge the actions of the government through questions and debates.
- Investigate public policy and provide a forum of independent expertise.
Please complete your online application by 23:59 on Wednesday 27th May 2026.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact HL Recruitment.
The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates with diverse characteristics, including different ages, caring responsibilities, disability, sex, gender reassignment/trans, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race/ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. We welcome discussions about flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
