Toronto's brewery and bar scene consistently hires for servers, bartenders, taproom staff, and bar backs. Smart Serve certification is a hard requirement for any role involving alcohol service in Ontario, so get it before applying. The employers below are among the most active hiring venues in the city.
Breweries and bars currently hiring in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages. Verify openings directly before applying. Smart Serve is required for all alcohol service roles.
Steam Whistle Brewing
Server, Bartender & Event Staff · Toronto (The Roundhouse) · Full-time and part-time
One of Toronto's best-known independent breweries at the historic Roundhouse venue adjacent to the Rogers Centre. Hires for their bierhall, event catering, and taproom service. High volume on event days. Smart Serve required. Check their careers page directly for current openings.
View openings at Steam Whistle →Bellwoods Brewery
Taproom Server & Bartender · Toronto (Queen West & Ossington) · Part-time and full-time
One of Canada's most acclaimed craft breweries with two Toronto taprooms. Posts for servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff periodically. Craft beer knowledge is valued but not required for entry-level taproom roles. Strong knowledge of Ontario beer culture is a differentiator.
Check Bellwoods Brewery for openings →Left Field Brewery
Taproom Server & Bar Back · Toronto (Gerrard East) · Part-time
Baseball-themed craft brewery in East Toronto with a popular family-friendly taproom. Hires for weekend and evening taproom coverage. Smaller operation with a strong team culture; genuine enthusiasm for craft beer is a plus.
Check Left Field Brewery for openings →Amsterdam Brewery
Server, Bartender & Taproom Staff · Toronto (Lakeshore) · Full-time and part-time
Established Toronto craft brewery with a large waterfront taproom and patio. Higher volume than many smaller craft breweries; suits candidates comfortable with busy service environments. Posts openings on their careers page and through Indeed.
View openings at Amsterdam Brewery →Rorschach Brewing Co.
Taproom Server & Bar Back · Toronto (Danforth) · Part-time
East-end neighbourhood brewery with a strong reputation for hazy IPAs and a loyal local customer base. Posts for taproom and event coverage on Instagram and job boards. Good fit for candidates who want a community-feel environment over a high-volume venue.
Search Rorschach on Indeed →Bar Hop
Bartender & Server · Toronto (King West & Wellington) · Full-time and part-time
High-volume craft beer bar on King West and the Entertainment District with an extensive rotating tap list. Hires for bartenders and servers comfortable with a busy, loud bar environment. Craft beer knowledge expected for bartender applicants. Smart Serve required.
Search Bar Hop on Indeed →The Drake Hotel
Bartender, Server & Bar Back · Toronto (Queen West) · Full-time and part-time
Iconic boutique hotel and live music venue on Queen West with multiple food and beverage outlets including the Sky Yard rooftop patio. Hires for all front-of-house roles across its bar, restaurant, and event programming. Competitive tip environment. Apply through their website.
View openings at The Drake Hotel →What brewery and bar jobs pay in Toronto
Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60/hour as of October 2025. Liquor service workers are paid at the general minimum wage rate (there is no separate lower “liquor server minimum wage” in Ontario; that rate was eliminated and aligned with the general minimum in 2022).
- Bartender: $17.60/hour base plus tips. Experienced bartenders at high-volume bars and hotels routinely take home $150–$300 per shift in tips at busy locations. Total effective hourly compensation often exceeds $25–$35/hour on a busy Friday or Saturday night.
- Taproom server: $17.60/hour base plus tips. Volume at craft brewery taprooms is typically lower than a busy bar, so tip income is more modest — roughly $30–$80/shift at mid-sized taprooms.
- Bar back: $17.60–$18/hour. Bar backs typically receive a percentage share of the bartending tip pool rather than individual tips. Check tip-out policy before accepting a role.
Pay data sourced from Indeed Canada salary estimates for Ontario bar and brewery roles (2025–2026).
Smart Serve: the non-negotiable requirement
Smart Serve certification is mandatory under Ontario's Liquor Licence and Control Act for all persons who sell or serve alcohol in licensed premises. Without it, you cannot legally work as a bartender, server, or taproom staff member at any Ontario venue. Key facts:
- The Smart Serve program is administered by Smart Serve Ontario. The online course and exam cost $35.00 CAD and take approximately 4–5 hours to complete. Available at smartserve.ca.
- Smart Serve certification does not expire. Once certified, you are certified for life.
- Your employer must be able to verify your certification number. Smart Serve provides a digital certificate and number immediately on passing.
- Do not apply for bartender or server roles at licensed venues without Smart Serve in hand. Most postings list it as a hard requirement, and hiring managers will not interview candidates who are not certified.
For other Toronto restaurant and bar jobs, see our guides to restaurants hiring servers in Toronto and how to get hired at Toronto restaurants. Browse all open roles on CanuckHire.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Smart Serve to work at a Toronto brewery or bar?
Yes. Smart Serve certification is required by Ontario law for anyone who sells or serves alcohol in a licensed establishment. This includes taproom servers, bartenders, and any other front-of-house role where you hand an alcoholic beverage to a customer. The online course and exam take about 4–5 hours and cost $35. Get it at smartserve.ca before applying.
Do I need previous bartending experience to get hired at a Toronto bar?
For high-volume bars on King West or in the Entertainment District, yes — previous bartending experience is expected. For brewery taprooms, many are more open to training candidates who have Smart Serve, strong customer service experience, and a genuine interest in craft beer. Taproom roles are a common entry point into bar service for people transitioning from other hospitality backgrounds.
What is the tip situation at Toronto breweries versus bars?
Tips at high-volume bars significantly outpace those at brewery taprooms. A busy bar on King West or the Entertainment District can yield $150–$300 in tips per shift for bartenders on Friday and Saturday nights. Craft brewery taprooms offer a lower-volume, less stressful environment but with correspondingly lower tip income, typically $30–$80/shift. Know which environment you prefer before applying.
Is there a separate minimum wage for liquor servers in Ontario?
No, not anymore. Ontario eliminated the separate lower minimum wage for liquor servers in 2022. All food service and bar employees, including bartenders and servers who receive tips, are paid at the general minimum wage of $17.60/hour as of October 2025. Tips are on top of this base.
How do I find brewery jobs that are not posted on Indeed?
Many Toronto craft breweries post openings on their Instagram accounts before or instead of posting on job boards. Follow the brewery accounts you are interested in working for. Walking in to speak with a manager during a quiet afternoon (2pm–4pm on weekdays) also works well for smaller operations. Bring a printed resume and keep the conversation brief.