Job Description

About Chai Pani

Chai Pani is an Indian Street Food restaurant that began as a humble, 50 seat restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina in 2009. We’ve since grown to a much larger space in Asheville and opened Chai Panis in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC, along with 4 locations of our fast-casual concept, Botiwalla. Chai Pani is the recipient of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2022, and has received six other nominations. We've also received a Zagat award, and multiple publications in Bon Appetit, Saveur, Food & Wine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Southern Living, USA Today, and were one of Oprah's Favorite things.

Chai Pani is slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” For us, it means groundbreaking, fun, affordable, and delicious Indian street food, paired with a passion for making people happy and building connections through good food and compassionate hospitality.

If this sounds like a journey you want to take with us - providing extraordinary hospitality and changing the perception of Indian cuisine in America - we are currently accepting applications.

Position Summary: As a Bartender at Chai Pani, you’ll do more than just craft drinks — you’ll create experiences. From welcoming guests warmly to curating cocktails with Indian flavors, you'll bring curiosity, professionalism, and fun to every shift. You’ll play a vital role in shaping the bar culture during our restaurant opening, ensuring guests feel celebrated and taken care of.

$12.00/hr base + Tips (Most team members average $25–$30/hr total).

What this role offers:

• A brand new bar in a built-to-spec, highly anticipated D.C. restaurant
• Collaboration on a cocktail program inspired by Indian ingredients and hospitality traditions
• Competitive hourly pay + generous tip share
• The chance to work with a James Beard Award–winning restaurant group and Chef
• Flexibility, camaraderie, and a culture where your voice matters
• Growth, mentorship, and a community that values excellence and care

What you offer:

• Prior experience bartending in a full-service restaurant
• Passion for service, and the intuition to anticipate guests’ needs
• The ability to adapt your energy and approach based on each guest
• A growth mindset, and a commitment to upholding a culture of excellence, love and care
• A team-first attitude and a drive to go above and beyond for guests and coworkers alike

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time while overseeing service, events, and daily operations.
• Ability to move frequently throughout the restaurant, including FOH, BOH, and non-public areas, as operational needs require.
• Ability to bend, reach, squat, kneel, and climb stairs as necessary to support operational oversight.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis (e.g., assisting with supplies, equipment, or event setup).
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high-energy environments that may not be climate-controlled, including kitchens and event spaces.
• Exposure to hot equipment and products such as ovens, grills, fryers, and hot holding equipment.
• Ability to work variable schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on business needs.
• Ability to maintain focus and sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to safely navigate environments with commercial cleaning chemicals and equipment while following established safety procedures.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, dependent care FSA, and supplemental life insurance (full-time team members)
• Company paid life insurance (full and part-time team members)
• Tip-share program
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid sick days
• Free shift meals
• Employee discount on merch, Spicewalla products, and all of our other restaurant locations in Asheville, Charlotte & Atlanta
• Cash advance program
• Opportunity to apply to annual staff trip to India after 1 year of employment 

Our Mission
Giving back is at the heart of Chai Pani's mission. We make a difference when and where we can — from supporting educational programs in Mumbai, to feeding the homeless with dignity, and within our own walls by offering competitive pay, flexible schedules, and benefits that support work-life harmony.

Join our team and help us build something truly special in D.C.!

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