The first bartender position at the front of the bar is first chair. It's not just a station — it's the soul of the room.
First impression. Tone-setter. Pace-setter for the whole bar. If first chair is dialed in, the room runs. If first chair is rattled, everyone feels it.
We assign the strongest bartender to first chair every shift. No exceptions. No "I'm tired tonight" rotation. The room demands it.