Head Bartender

The role: Head Bartender

As Head Bartender, you won’t just run the bar — you’ll set the tone for the entire guest experience at Mea, our all-day restaurant and social hub. From crafting signature cocktails to mentoring your team and shaping the beverage program, you’ll bring bold vision, sharp execution, and high energy to one of the city’s most anticipated openings.

By day, Mea is a sunlit Mediterranean escape filled with the scent of roasted spices and slow-baked breads. By night, it becomes a vibrant, cosmopolitan hangout pulsing with music, shared plates, and stories told over cocktails. As Head Bartender, you’ll be at the heart of it all — leading the team, curating the drinks, and setting the vibe, one pour at a time.

What you’ll do

• Lead the bar team with confidence, creativity, and care — coaching junior bartenders and fostering a fun, professional work culture.

• Design and evolve the cocktail menu to complement Mea’s bold Mediterranean flavors, seasonal ingredients, and social spirit.

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the bar — from stock control and supplier relations to quality standards and visual presentation.

• Be an expert host — welcoming guests, building relationships, and making the bar a place they want to return to.

• Work hand-in-hand with the Head Chef and F&B Manager to create cohesive guest experiences across food and drink.

• Support the pre-opening process, shaping service standards, bar design, and team training.

• Keep your finger on the pulse of drink trends, sustainable practices, and new products — and bring fresh ideas to the table.

• Stay calm, collected, and charismatic — even on the busiest nights.

You’ll be a great fit if you bring the below with you

• A natural leader with previous experience as a head bartender or senior bartender in a high-energy, lifestyle-driven venue.

• Passionate about hospitality, storytelling, and creating memorable guest moments.

• Deeply knowledgeable about cocktails, spirits, wines, and bar operations — and eager to keep learning.

• Personable, stylish, and grounded — someone who can read the room and elevate the mood.

• Comfortable working in both Dutch and English (additional languages are a plus).

• Excited to be part of something new, build a team from the ground up, and shape the identity of Mea from the very start.

What we offer

• A leading role in an exciting pre-opening project with global ambition.

• A competitive salary and benefits package.

• Real opportunity to influence the bar program, menu, and guest journey.

• A dynamic and creative workplace culture where your ideas matter.

• A place to grow personally and professionally as Via expands.

Working at Via Antwerp

At Via Antwerp, we’re redefining the hospitality experience — blending contemporary design, a social spirit, and warm, intuitive service in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Opening in mid-June 2025, our hotel is designed to bring people together: travellers, creatives, professionals, and locals alike.

We believe exceptional hospitality starts with an exceptional team. That’s why we’re building a work environment that’s inspiring, supportive, and filled with opportunity. At Via Antwerp, you’ll find a culture that values authenticity, collaboration, and personal growth. We encourage new ideas, reward initiative, and create space for every team member to make a real impact.

Ready to join?

Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, you'll be part of an opening team shaping something new — with room to grow, learn, and evolve alongside us. If you're passionate about people, energized by fresh challenges, and excited to help write the story of Via Antwerp from day one, we’d love to hear from you.