Focus DC / Focus Social Club | Washington, DC
Focus DC is seeking dependable, personable, and experienced servers to join our team. This position combines restaurant service, weekend brunch, cocktail service, and nightlife hospitality in a busy, multilevel venue.
We’re looking for someone who can make guests feel welcome, confidently sell food and beverages, stay organized during high-volume shifts, and work closely with the team. If you enjoy an energetic atmosphere and take pride in delivering excellent service, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
Servers at Focus may work brunch, happy hour, dinner, day parties, nightlife, bottle service, and private or ticketed events. Your responsibilities will vary by shift, but attentive service, professionalism, teamwork, and accountability are expected every day.
Brunch and Day Parties
Our weekend brunch includes a 90-minute unlimited food and mimosa experience, followed by a day party. Servers must be comfortable managing groups, explaining the experience, keeping service moving, and helping guests transition between reservations and events.
Responsibilities include:
- Greeting guests promptly and explaining brunch service, session times, and venue policies.
- Coordinating with hosts and management on seating, reservations, and large parties.
- Providing timely mimosa service while following pitcher limits and service cutoff times.
- Monitoring tables, clearing glassware and dishes, and keeping sections clean.
- Communicating guest needs and food availability concerns to the appropriate team members.
- Helping guests understand that brunch has a firm end time so the venue can prepare for the next experience.
Evening and Nightlife Service
Evening shifts may include dinner reservations, birthday celebrations, DJs, crowded dance floors, cocktail service, and bottle service. You must be comfortable working in a loud, fast-moving environment while remaining attentive and professional.
Responsibilities include:
- Taking accurate food and drink orders and entering them promptly into Toast.
- Learning our cocktails, liquor selections, bottle packages, specials, and table minimums.
- Recommending items and offering appropriate upgrades to enhance the guest experience.
- Coordinating bottle service with bartenders, support staff, and management.
- Clearly explaining pricing, applicable charges, and payment policies before completing transactions.
- Following venue payment procedures, including physical card and ID requirements for bottle service.
- Communicating concerns about intoxication, guest behavior, or safety to management and security.
Daily Responsibilities and Expectations
- Arrive on time, in the required uniform, well groomed, and ready to work.
- Maintain a friendly, respectful, and professional attitude with guests and coworkers.
- Manage an assigned section while remaining aware of the needs of the overall floor.
- Use Toast POS and handheld devices accurately for orders and payments.
- Check orders for accuracy and communicate promptly with the bar and kitchen.
- Handle payments responsibly and complete accurate checkout and tip reporting.
- Complete opening, closing, and side work, including rolling silverware, polishing glassware, restocking, and cleaning your section.
- Assist with running food, clearing tables, and supporting coworkers when needed.
- Follow responsible alcohol service practices and all venue procedures.
- Address guest concerns calmly and involve management when appropriate.
- Complete assigned duties and receive management approval before leaving your shift.
- Communicate scheduling concerns, availability changes, and coverage requests promptly.
Qualifications
- Previous serving experience in a restaurant, lounge, bar, or nightlife venue is strongly preferred.
- Cocktail and bottle service experience is a plus.
- Comfortable handling multiple tables, large parties, and competing priorities.
- Strong communication, customer service, and sales skills.
- Reliable attendance and dependable transportation for scheduled shifts, including late-night departures.
- Willingness to learn menus, promotions, service procedures, and venue policies.
- Ability to remain composed during busy service and respond well to feedback.
- Comfortable standing and walking for extended periods, carrying trays, and navigating stairs in a multilevel venue.
- Toast POS experience is helpful; training on our systems and procedures will be provided.
Schedule and Availability
Weekend availability is essential. Shifts may include daytime brunch, evening service, late nights, holidays, and special events.
Applicants should understand that:
- Saturday and Sunday brunch and day party shifts are key parts of our business.
- Evening shifts may continue through closing and require closing duties afterward.
- Major events and holiday weekends may require additional availability.
- Floor assignments, staffing levels, and shift end times may change based on reservations, events, and business volume.
- Time-off requests must be submitted in advance. Once a schedule is posted, employees are responsible for attending assigned shifts or arranging approved coverage and communicating with management.
Please include your availability when applying, especially any restrictions on weekends or late-night shifts.
Compensation
We offer competitive hourly pay plus tips, with earning opportunities through brunch, cocktail service, bottle service, and special events. Specific pay details and tip procedures will be discussed during the interview and onboarding process.
Tip earnings vary based on business volume, assigned shifts, and guest spending.
What We’re Looking For
We want team members who bring positive energy, take initiative, and follow through. Success at Focus means providing attentive service, helping coworkers, keeping your section organized, and maintaining our standards from the beginning of the shift through closing.
This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys hospitality and nightlife and understands the preparation, teamwork, and consistency required to deliver a great guest experience.
