Cervantes Bar & Bistro is a family-run tavern serving food from 10am to 8pm, with the bar staying open later depending on how busy it is (usually no later than 10pm). It’s located in a small coastal town, so having your own transport is recommended if you’re working there. Most customers are passing through, including tour buses and people on the road, with a small number of locals.
Staff accommodation is provided and is around a five-minute walk from the tavern, as well as the local grocery store, bottle shop, and post office. If you’re looking for slightly cheaper groceries, the closest option is in Jurien Bay, about a 20-minute drive away, although the only supermarket there is an IGA and its still pricey.
The owners also run a coffee shop and a beachfront restaurant in Jurien Bay, and some employees work across two or three of their venues. Although, the coffee shop is generally suited to those with barista experience.
2 Reviews on “Cervantes Bar & Bistro”
⭐ 4 — Fair pay and treatment *:
Pay was all good, often worked weekends so got a lot of extra pay, would only find out shifts the Sunday before which was tricky – made it feel like you couldn’t do anything else but be available for work
⭐ 3 — Job matched the promise *:
The pub was what I expected, just your general waitressing job too
⭐ 2 — Work-life balance *:
Hours weee a bit inconsistent, some weeks I would work every evening and weekends as well as in the morning in my other job but some weeks I wouldn’t have any work in the day. This made it difficult to plan or go anywhere which was a bit frustrating sometimes, it also made it difficult to get in a routine also because you wouldn’t often get days off
⭐ 3 — Friendly, easygoing team *:
Team on the whole was lovely, there wasn’t that many of us and people were always nice and helpful, especially when I first started. People weren’t the most social which was a shame, and because there was so little of us there you were never off at the same time and which made it difficult to get to know people.
⭐ 4 — Quality of accommodation (if applicable):
I really likes the accommodation, having a whole unit to ourselves was nice. Although the oven and hub was dodgy which could be annoying, but for the size and rent price I can’t really complain
⭐ 2 — Likelihood you’d recommend to a mate *:
Probably not, it was ok but the inconsistency of hours and things to do locally was tough. You would also need a car to be able to go to the next town along as there isn’t anything really in the town. I worked in the next town along too and this was better because you could go food shopping and go to the gym – however, fuel costs were EXPENSIVE, potentially due to the age of our car but definitely something to consider when trying to save
Overall Experience:
Overall not the worst job but found management and the way hours were given quite frustrating, defo consider the local area too if you want to go out and about, especially if you don’t have a car!
⭐ 4 — Fair pay and treatment *:
Pay was never a problem, however, organisation was often lacking and we only ever received next weeks shift hours on a Sunday meaning you couldn’t really plan ahead of time because you had no idea what next weeks hours where. Even once these were received on the Sunday they would often change over the next 24 hours.
⭐ 2 — Job matched the promise *:
Unfortunately, the job lacked this aspect a lot in my experience. I was promised significantly more hours than I ever received and ultimately this is why I moved on. I should note, this was during the off season and most of my work was suppose to be around odd jobs/landscaping with the occasional back of house shift. Many of my collogues only working front of house also had similar experiences. It would have been nice if the owners had been more transparent regarding this.
⭐ 3 — Work-life balance *:
Ironically, my problem was too much free time…
⭐ 4 — Quality of accommodation (if applicable):
The digs where not bad at all. Pretty spacious two bed unit with a nice lounge area and kitchen. Also no complaints regarding the bathroom. However, there was no working oven in the property and it was replaced by a mini oven. There was also no wifi! Very much not ideal. None of the units had wifi but I cant speak on the other units oven situation.. FYI, cost of accommodation was $150 per person for couples and $160 per person otherwise. (I have added photos of the unit for anyone interested)
⭐ 3 — Likelihood you’d recommend to a mate *:
Certainly wouldn’t tell a pal to jump at the opportunity, but also it wasn’t the worst (assuming the hours are available)
Overall Experience:
Overall the location and job wasn’t the worst, but I did leave the place slightly jaded as I basically felt I had been sold a dream and was promised hours I never saw. This should have been made clearer before committing to the monstrous drive.
If you are planning on working here I defiantly recommend you have your own transport, Jurien Bay is the next closest town(20 min drive away) and you will likely want to visit there regularly if you plan on going to the gym or buying a small block of cheese for less than 10 bucks. I did hear the owners would sometimes let employees borrow one of their cars, so theres always that!
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