Front of House Staff - Servers, Bartenders, Host, Support Staff - Wooden Nickel

Do You Love Hospitality, Community, and Mountain Living as Much as We Do?

Work Hard. Play Hard. Live Fully in Crested Butte.

At Elk Ave Hospitality, we are building teams for people who want more than just a job. We are looking for individuals who want to work hard, grow their skills, be part of a strong team, and enjoy the unmatched lifestyle that comes with living in the Gunnison Valley.

If you love working with others, take pride in creating a great guest experience, and enjoy a fast-paced hospitality environment, we want to hear from you.

Whether your passion is skiing first tracks, biking wildflower-lined trails, fishing alpine waters, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Rockies, this is your chance to build a life that blends professional growth with personal adventure.

We are growing quickly and actively building career paths for people who want to develop their knowledge, expand their skills, and contribute to a strong hospitality culture.

What You Can Expect

• A positive, team-oriented work environment
• Ongoing training, learning, and development
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave Hospitality
• Employee housing opportunities, depending on the role and availability
• Compensation based on position and experience
• The opportunity to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities

These are hourly roles, and compensation is based on experience. Hourly positions are not immediately eligible for health benefits or paid time off.

Who We’re Looking For

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Work well as part of a team
• Care about guests and genuine hospitality
• Can thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Take pride in cleanliness, organization, and readiness
• Can follow systems, standards, and side work expectations
• Want to learn and grow
• Bring a positive attitude, professionalism, and accountability to work each day
• Take pride in consistency, dependability, and doing things the right way

Our core values are Communication, Humility, Accountability, Integrity, and Respect, and we are looking for team members who want to live those values in the workplace.

What Will Be Expected of You

Depending on the role, team members may be expected to:

• Maintain a professional appearance and follow dress and uniform standards
• Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during busy seasonal periods
• Communicate clearly and work effectively with both guests and teammates
• Help maintain clean, organized, safe, and guest-ready work areas
• Work with consistency, urgency, and a team-first attitude
• Be open to learning multiple areas of the operation when appropriate

For hourly front-of-house roles, bartenders must be 21 years of age or older.

Cross-Training and Growth

We believe in building flexible, well-rounded front-of-house teams through cross-training. Each team member will have a primary role based on their strongest skills and experience, along with the opportunity to take on secondary roles based on their willingness to learn and grow.

This approach helps employees build a broader understanding of the restaurant, develop new skills, and create more consistent opportunities as business levels shift throughout the season. We have found that this model supports both team success and individual growth while keeping advancement top of mind.

About Elk Ave Hospitality

Elk Ave Hospitality is a growing family of restaurants and hospitality businesses in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Our venues offer a wide range of guest experiences, from elevated dining to approachable everyday hospitality, all rooted in quality, consistency, and genuine care for our guests and our team.

We believe hospitality can be both a craft and a career. With multiple venues, varied concepts, and opportunities for advancement, we are able to offer year-round employment, cross-training, and real pathways for growth. We are building a company for people who want to work hard, contribute to a strong team culture, and grow their skills over time.

About Wooden Nickel

Wooden Nickel is a historic part of the Crested Butte community and a long-standing fixture in the town’s hospitality landscape. With deep local roots and a legacy that reflects the character of Crested Butte itself, Wooden Nickel carries a sense of familiarity, tradition, and mountain-town charm that has made it meaningful to generations of guests and locals alike.

As part of Elk Ave Hospitality, Wooden Nickel continues that tradition by offering a guest experience grounded in warmth, consistency, and genuine service. It is a place where history, community, and hospitality come together. For team members, Wooden Nickel offers the opportunity to be part of a venue that is not only well known, but genuinely woven into the story of Crested Butte.

Opportunities Available

Wooden Nickel is hiring front-of-house team members for opportunities including:

• Server
• Bartender
• Host
• Support Staff

Some positions require candidates to be 21 years of age or older, but we offer opportunities across a range of front-of-house roles and experience levels.

Position Summary

Wooden Nickel front-of-house team members play an essential role in creating a welcoming, organized, and consistent guest experience from start to finish.

Team members at Wooden Nickel are expected to deliver genuine hospitality, communicate clearly, move with urgency, and contribute to a service environment built on professionalism, consistency, and care. Whether greeting guests, guiding service, supporting the floor, or delivering food and beverage, each role plays an important part in maintaining the standards of the brand.

These positions are ideal for hospitality professionals who take pride in execution, enjoy working as part of a strong team, and are motivated to grow within a restaurant group that values development and advancement.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• Employee housing opportunities
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave Hospitality
• The chance to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience and Hospitality

• As a front-of-house team member at Wooden Nickel, I deliver warm, genuine, and attentive hospitality to every guest.
• I create a dining experience that feels welcoming, organized, and enjoyable from arrival through departure.
• I communicate clearly and professionally with guests and teammates at all times.
• I support a service environment built on timing, teamwork, and attention to detail.
• I represent Wooden Nickel and Elk Ave Hospitality with professionalism and pride.

Service Execution and Floor Support

• I perform the responsibilities of my assigned role with consistency, urgency, and accuracy.
• I support the overall flow of service by working collaboratively with both front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
• I assist with dining room readiness, table maintenance, food running, beverage service, guest seating, and general floor support as needed.
• I maintain awareness of service pacing, guest needs, and overall floor organization throughout each shift.
• I ensure service standards are upheld from start to finish.

Organization, Cleanliness, and Readiness

• I maintain clean, organized, and guest-ready service areas throughout each shift.
• I ensure host stands, bars, service stations, dining areas, and support spaces are stocked, clean, and well maintained.
• I complete side work, opening duties, and closing duties thoroughly and consistently.
• I take pride in the physical space and contribute to a guest-facing environment that reflects the standards of the brand.

Teamwork and Professionalism

• I work closely with managers and teammates to support a strong service culture.
• I communicate clearly, respectfully, and efficiently throughout each shift.
• I maintain professionalism, composure, and accountability during high-volume periods.
• I step in to support the team wherever needed to ensure successful service execution.
• I contribute to a positive, team-oriented environment rooted in the company’s core values.

Role-Specific Opportunities

Servers

• As a Server, I guide the guest experience through knowledgeable, attentive, and polished table service.
• I build strong menu knowledge and use clear communication, timing, and hospitality to create memorable guest experiences.
• I take ownership of my section, my tables, and the overall quality of service I provide.

Bartenders

• As a Bartender, I deliver high-quality beverage service while maintaining an organized, efficient, and guest-focused bar environment.
• I balance direct guest interaction with service bar responsibilities while maintaining speed, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• I take pride in product knowledge, bar cleanliness, and the consistency of every drink served.

Hosts

• As a Host, I manage the guest’s first impression and help maintain the pace and flow of the dining room.
• I greet guests warmly, communicate clearly, and stay aware of reservations, guest arrivals, and service timing.
• I help set the tone for the guest experience from the moment they walk through the door.

Support Staff

• As Support Staff, I help maintain the flow, cleanliness, and readiness of the dining room and service stations.
• I move with urgency, stay aware of the needs of the floor, and support the team in creating a strong guest experience.
• I understand that consistency, awareness, and a team-first mindset are essential to smooth operations.

Qualifications

• Previous hospitality experience preferred, but not required for all roles
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Professional demeanor and commitment to strong guest service
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain composure and urgency in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to learn, take direction, and contribute to a team-focused culture

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Previous restaurant or hospitality experience in service, hosting, bartending, or support roles
• Strong guest service instincts and a genuine interest in hospitality
• Ability to multitask, stay organized, and maintain standards during busy shifts
• Comfort learning menus, service standards, and company systems
• For bartending roles, experience with cocktails, beer, wine, and bar service is preferred
• For server roles, experience with full-service dining and guest interaction is preferred
• For host roles, experience with reservations, seating flow, and guest communication is preferred
• For support roles, experience with food running, bussing, station stocking, and floor support is preferred

Physical and Position Requirements

• Must be able to stand and move continuously for extended periods of time
• Must be able to walk, bend, reach, stoop, and carry throughout each shift
• Must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced hospitality environment
• Must be capable of adjusting to changes in pace, priorities, and business volume
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed in a seasonal hospitality environment
• Must be able to lift and carry service items, trays, glassware, or supplies as needed for the role
• Bartender applicants must be 21 years of age or older

What Success Looks Like in These Roles

Success in these positions means helping create a welcoming, organized, and memorable guest experience while supporting a service team that performs with professionalism, consistency, and pride. The right candidates work hard, communicate well, live the core values, and help ensure Wooden Nickel delivers hospitality that feels authentic, dependable, and true to the brand.