Front of House- Barista- Milli by Metric APPLY NOW

Milli by Metric is an all-day café, bakery, and wine bar built around a simple belief: thoughtful sourcing, craft, and hospitality belong at the center of everything we do. Born from the work of Metric Coffee, our coffee program reflects years of relationships with producers, exporters, and partners across the coffee-growing world. Every coffee we serve carries a story, from farm to roast to cup.

At Milli, coffee sits alongside bread, food, and wine as part of a larger culture of hospitality. We care deeply about the details—from how a shot is dialed in to how a guest is welcomed through the door. We are building a team of people who take pride in craft, are curious to learn, and understand that great cafés are built through consistency, accountability, and care.

As a Barista at Milli, you will play a key role in delivering exceptional coffee and hospitality during every shift. You’ll craft high-quality beverages, engage warmly with guests, and help maintain the smooth, welcoming energy of our café. This role sits at the heart of our daily operations, contributing to both the coffee program and the overall front-of-house experience.

You will work closely with the Operations Leadership team and the Metric roasting team to ensure every coffee served reflects the quality, transparency, and care that defines our program.

Key Responsibilities

Coffee & Beverage Craft

• Deliver excellent coffee service behind the bar, maintaining high standards for craft and hospitality
• Follow dialing-in protocols for espresso, batch brew, and manual brewing methods
• Prepare consistent, high-quality coffee beverages across all menu items
• Support seasonal and special drink menus, including shrubs, infusions, and fermentations
• Maintain updated knowledge of the full beverage program (cocktails, wine, and beer) as well as menu items
• Assist with coffee inventory rotation to ensure freshness and minimize waste
• Help keep espresso machines, grinders, and brewing equipment clean and in good working order

Guest Experience & Hospitality

• Greet and welcome every guest with warmth and genuine care
• Engage guests by sharing approachable information about our coffee program and menu
• Address guest questions and needs with professionalism and attentiveness
• Contribute to a clean, organized, and inviting café environment that reflects our standards

Team & Operations Support

• Support opening and closing procedures to ensure the café is set up and reset to standard
• Assist with service flow across the café, including POS, food running, and guest interaction when needed
• Communicate clearly with the kitchen, bar, and service team during busy periods
• Help maintain cleanliness and organization across bar and front-of-house areas
• Uphold all health, safety, and operational standards
• Plate pastries and small plates correctly and to Milli standards

Qualifications and Experience

• 1+ years of experience in specialty coffee (preferred)
• Strong technical knowledge of espresso, grinders, brew methods, and extraction
• Passion for coffee, food, and hospitality
• Excellent communication and guest service skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, service-driven environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain required City of Chicago Food Handler Certification
• BASSET (alcohol service) Certification (or ability to obtain)
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word/Excel or Google Workspace)

Additional Qualities We Value

• A positive, team-oriented attitude and willingness to support wherever needed
• Humility, consistency, and accountability in daily work
• A calm, solutions-oriented presence during busy service
• Strong attention to detail in both product quality and guest experience
• Genuine curiosity and eagerness to learn about coffee, brewing, and hospitality
• A passion for culinary arts and the hospitality industry

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods and work on your feet during service
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds

What We Offer

• Competitive wages: $16.50 per hour plus tips (tips average $10–$13 per hour)
• Health insurance for full-time employees
• Coffee and product discounts
• Opportunities for growth within Milli and Metric Coffee
• A chance to be part of one of Chicago’s most exciting new hospitality spaces

At Milli, we are committed to creating good jobs. We value diversity and always consider job applicants based on work experience, qualifications, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, identities, skills, and abilities to apply.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application, interview or assessment process, please direct your inquiries to a member of the People team at mico@milliallday.com