Like waiting tables, bartending is considered by many one of those jobs that is somewhat looked up to or envied. Not everyone is cut out for this and it can be every bit as stressful as watressing or waitering. For those that bartend at a busy tavern, pub, restaurant or club, does it pay? Yes, it can pay very well.
Aside from the obvious constant handling of alcohol there are signifigant differences in the job skills and requirements of a bartender and foodserver. The biggest difference is that as a bartender you often have nobody to fall back on when things get rough. A quick rush or surge of customers and it's all you. In many cases there is no one else who can help you get caught up. It's not like waitressing where you can ask another server to take out food to your table. As a bartender it is often only you, unless a qualified manager or other employee is present, who can mix the drinks let alone run the register.
In any field of serving people you will often run into situations where you need to just get a breath of fresh air or cool off from a situation that has caused a lot of stress. It could be anything. A rude customer, an untimely phone call, or just mental overload. As a bartender you often cannot "hide" in the kitchen or anywhere to take even a few minutes to regain your sanity! You are in charge of that bar and someone should be behind it at all times. And again, often there is nobody qualified to take care of mixing even the simplest drinks. Perhaps you are not feeling well or any one of a number of things that taking a short break would allow you to re-group and refresh yourself. A good bartender can handle going strong without breaks for hours, week after week. Of course there will be time for the bathroom and such, but once that rush starts be prepared to go for hours without stopping.
One of the plus sides of bartending is that you are generally not as engaged with your customer as you are as a foodserver. (This is assuming you are tending bar somewhere other than a 10 stool local tavern) You take the order, serve the drink, take the money, give the change, smile, thank them and almost immediately see another patron with an empty bottle or glass that needs your attention. This is the ideal situation for a bartender. Very fast paced but not nearly as much attention is required of the customer. Something interesting that happens when bartending is that you will learn to remember what each person is drinking and you will simply ask if they'd like another rather than "what will it be?" This photographic memory just sort of kicks in without any real practice. If you make it a month or so as a new bartener you'll notice it yourself without even trying. To the customers this is amazing and they wonder how you are able to do it!
This is one of the many aspects of what a customer sees that make the job so mysterious and respected. Similarly, learning to mix drinks takes on a similar, easy learning curve. This takes a little longer but you'll notice it happening to yourself within 3 or 4 months. There are really only a few types of alcohol but many brands. For example, vodka. There is only one vodka but many brands and chances are you will have at least 2 brands and possibly 3 or 4. So this makes for a bunch of bottles but there is likely only one or two in that group that you will use almost exclusively. Because there are really only a few alcohol types (such as vodka, rum, bourban, whiskey etc) that are extremely popular, you quickly learn the top 2 or 3 mixed drinks within thier categories which comes out out to maybe 15 or 20 different mixed drinks. Now that might sound like a lot, but when you're hearing "I'll take a Screwdriver" or "Mix me a White Russian" over and over night after night, you will just automatically remember what's in it very quickly! So to the customer there's like 100 or more bottles of alcohol sitting around and it makes you look like a genius to know without hesitation where each bottle is kept!
Learning to bartend is best done by just doing it. You can go to the fanciest bartending schools and memorize every drink under the sun but it's not going to do you a bit of good once you are thrown to the wolves! In this field you simply cannot beat experience. Bartending takes far more character than it does a high IQ. Many people think it's about memorizing drinks but it's truly not! It's about having strong nerves and multitasking and doing it all with a smile! Yes, brains are required for sure but you can't learn the most important things in a classroom. You need some experience first and foremost. There are several ways to gain experience.
If you are a waitress or waiter in a restaurant that serves alcohol, pay attention to what you are serving. Watch the bartender mix when you can and ask questions. That's a very good start. Since you are interested in learning to bartend, tell the manager and let him know you are willing to take on a very slow shift for the experience. Be upfront and tell him you you very much desire to learn bartending but you cannot give up your profitable foodserving hours completely. You just want a day or two so you can learn. Often they will try to accomodate you as the very experienced bartenders do not like the slow periods. This way the regular bartender can take some time off and you can learn bartending. The manager is happy because he now has a backup, you are happy to be learning and the bartender is happy to get some time off.
If you live near a golf course, bowling alley or camp ground, check into those places. Often the bar will be closed for the season or if not closed, it slows down to a crawl. If you show a sincere interest in bartending and the owner does not have the position filled for the upcoming season, you could be hired to learn as you go since you'll be starting off slow until the season hits full swing. Often these places are limited to a few draft beers and a dozen or so bottles of beer and maybe a dozen or so of the main alcohol brands. This is absolutely perfect for you to learn bartending! If you have such an opportunity, grab it! It might seem dead when you apply to a golf course in early March but come June - September you will be busy and learning a lot. With just that much experience you can likely get hired at an establishment where serious income can be made. Like you read earlier, you can't beat experience and the owners of a busy tavern or club know this well. If you've got it, they'll seriously consider your application!
After you've learned the basic mixed drinks and know what bartending entails you are going to want to move on to a busier place where you can now make some very good money. A few places to consider would be a bowling alley if the bar is open to the public too. You want a little more than just the bowlers in this situation. Golf courses are another great place but make sure the bar has at least 15 seats and some tables. They guys really like to hang out and chat about their game over a few beers! The clubs in your town such as the VFW, Moose, American Legion etc. Some of these places are much better than you would think. Most have a very steady regular clientel. If they have entertainment of the weekends even better! And of course you have your local sports bar or popular gathering place for the younger folks. Generally, these places are where the college aged kids hang out and they are usually super busy on Fridays, Saturdays and one other day of the week where a special is occuring. These places will really test your nerves but they can be very profitable! Finally, if there is a bar in your area that is known for live entertainment that can be a geat place too. People who seek live bands in an up close atmosphere like that are usually in a great mood and when they go out they intend to have a good time and spend money! You'll be exhausted when it's all over but your earnings will have you asking when that band is coming back!
Are you still interested in bartending? Do you think you have what it takes? If so, get out and get some experience now. Don't pass up your opportunity to one of the most rewarding ways to earn serious income. You can do this. Look into bartending today!
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I started bartending at the American Legion in my hometown at age of 21, I am now 27 going on 28. I had no prior bartending experience. On my first day behind the bar, the lounge manager (who had advertised to all of the patrons to come see the new bartender.....and they did) told me to just shadow her for the day and not to expect to make very much money...which I had already assumed. She showed me one time the layout of my work area and how to properly pour a draft beer. On my second attempt at pouring I had it down and kept up with her pace for the rest of the shift. To both of our surprise, she split the tips right down the middle. I didn't state the above to toot my own horn, that's not the kind of person I am. For the most part, the information stated above is as straight forward as it gets. Don't waste the time and more importantly the money on bartending school and mixology classes. A newbie is a newbie and that piece of paper is worth less than a single sheet of angel soft. The less you know going in, the better. Every establishment is different locally and regionally, every patron you're going to serve is too. A bar manager will keep a person who knows nothing about a bar but shows up ready to work.....shoveling ice, washing glasses, emptying ash trays, etc. the important thing is to be receptive and keep your eyes open at all times. Stock and clean as you go, so when its time to go you have less to do and it really does effect your tips. They may be drunk but someone is always watching you the busier you make yourself look the better. Check your problems at the door....they don't care about what you're going through, but you better listen to theirs with a smile. Treat all patrons the same....I've learned that the most demanding/annoying patrons are usually the ones who tip the least accept it. Finally, even if you are allowed to indulge behind the bar, don't. Everything is always always the bartenders fault even when it has nothing to do with you, if they see you drink it could bite you in the butt. Trust your instincts always and put your foot down when it is necessary it, cut them off. Yeah you might lose that last tip but they have to be alive to come back in the next day to thank you....and guilt tip you. I don't advise bartending as a career choice....but a good job to have while you get to where you need to go. Bartender turn over is high but Bar Manager turnover isn't so accept the fact that you will be in your position for a good minute. If you have a better long term opportunity take it, but exit graciously. This is my third stint in the last 7 years, and I'm always welcomed back with open arms, it's kind of odd but you can build a following and they wont let you go hungry. Bartending isn't hard but you are either gonna make it or not...I was trained by the best.
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