How to Onboard New Bar Staff (The Right Way)

Right, let’s be honest – we’ve all been there. New staff member starts on a busy Friday night, gets thrown in the deep end, and by closing time they’re either in tears or walking out the door. Poor onboarding doesn’t just stress out your new hire – it costs you money in mistakes, lost customers, and having to start the whole recruitment process again.

The thing is, proper staff onboarding doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need a system that actually works.

Start Before They Start

Don’t wait until their first shift to begin training. Send your new staff member the basics beforehand:

• Your drinks menu – let them familiarize themselves with what you serve
• Basic pub policies – dress code, punctuality, mobile phone rules
• A simple floor plan – where everything is, from the cellar to the toilets
• Emergency contacts – yours, the brewery, and any key staff numbers

This gives them a head start and shows you’re organised. First impressions work both ways.

Structure Their First Week

Here’s how to break down those crucial first five shifts:

Day 1: Shadow an experienced staff member. No serving customers yet – just watch, listen, and ask questions. Show them your till system, where everything lives, and introduce them to regulars.

Day 2-3: Start with simple tasks under supervision. Taking orders, pulling pints, basic food service. Keep them on quiet shifts if possible.

Day 4-5: Gradual independence. Still have someone nearby, but let them handle transactions and interact with customers more freely.

If you’re using a system like SmartPubTools’ free front-of-house app, now’s the time to get them set up on it. Having everything in one place – from table management to order tracking – makes their job much easier.

Set Them Up for Success

Good onboarding goes beyond just showing someone how to pull a pint. Make sure they understand:

• Your pub’s personality – are you a sports pub, family-friendly, or traditional local?
• Regular customers – names, usual orders, any quirks to know about
• Upselling opportunities – which snacks go with which drinks, meal deals, specials
• Problem-solving basics – who to call when the card machine breaks, how to handle difficult customers

Don’t forget the legal stuff either – age verification, licensing laws, and responsible service. Better to over-explain than have problems later.

Remember, staff who feel confident and supported from day one are more likely to stick around. And keeping good people is half the battle in this industry. For more tips on building a strong team, check out our guide on keeping pub staff engaged.

Ready to streamline your pub operations and make staff training easier? Try SmartPubTools for free and see how the right tools can transform your business.