General Manager for Arcade Bar / Restaurant / Music Venue

Life Bar Arcade — Schaumburg, IL

Full-Time | General Management | Bar Restaurant Arcade Live Entertainment

ABOUT LIFE BAR ARCADE

Life Bar Arcade is a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, created by a professional retro game collector and restorer with a passion for bringing people together through great experiences.

We combine 60+ classic arcades, pinballs, and retro gaming consoles—all set to Free Play—with two full bars, great food, live bands, DJs, tournaments, private events, and more.

We're not just a bar, and we're not just an arcade. We're a destination where people can relive their favorite gaming memories, discover something new, enjoy live entertainment, and have a genuinely great time.

Our operating philosophy is simple: Treat people like adults, build a great team, and create an environment where both staff and customers want to return.

We have no traditional table service. Guests order directly through the bar, allowing us to focus on efficient, bartender-driven service without unnecessary layers of service. We believe in treating our employees with respect, giving them the tools to succeed, and expecting them to take pride in their work.

We're looking for an experienced General Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day operation of Life Bar Arcade and help us continue building something exceptional.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an opportunity for a seasoned hospitality professional who wants to play a meaningful role in operating and growing a unique entertainment business.

As General Manager, you will be responsible for the overall performance of Life Bar Arcade, including operations, staff, service, food and beverage, entertainment, events, financial performance, and facility management.

You'll work directly with the owner to establish priorities, implement systems, solve problems, and ensure the business operates safely, efficiently, profitably, and consistently.

We're looking for someone who can take ownership—not someone who needs to be told what to do at every turn.

You should be comfortable making decisions, holding yourself and others accountable, identifying problems before they become emergencies, and treating the business as though its success genuinely matters to you.

WHAT MAKES LIFE BAR DIFFERENT?

• 60+ classic arcade games, pinballs, and retro gaming consoles.
• All games are set to Free Play.
• Two full bars and a food operation.
• Live bands, DJs, karaoke, and tournaments.
• Private parties and special events.
• A unique atmosphere that blends nostalgia, gaming, music, and nightlife.
• A service model built around efficient, bartender-focused operations.
• An owner who understands the hospitality industry and values happy staff, sensible systems, and a positive workplace.

If you grew up playing more Zelda than football, know your way around a pinball machine, or simply love creating memorable experiences for people, you'll probably feel at home here.

POSITION SUMMARY

The General Manager is responsible for the overall operation, financial performance, staffing, guest experience, and continued development of Life Bar Arcade.

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong hospitality experience, sound business judgment, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to lead a diverse team in a busy, entertainment-driven environment.

The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable reviewing financial reports, coaching a bartender, resolving a customer complaint, coordinating a private party, troubleshooting an operational issue, or jumping behind the bar when necessary.

Pay: $63,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year