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How To Start Your Career as A Bartender

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How to Start Your Career as a Bartender

As the job market slowly begins to recover from the effects of the year-long lockdowns, businesses have begun reopening. With that comes a rising demand for higher employment. No reopening has quite the effect that the bar scene has- a cornerstone for weekend nightlife and a pleasure that has been sorely missed since the start of the lockdown.

Of course, the reopening of the bar scene is not beneficial just to onlookers- it’s the perfect internal combination of tips, drinks and bartender talent that keeps business booming. Whether you’re a college student in need of a part-time job or somebody looking for a late career change, working as a bartender opens up all the right doors through the right levels of both knowledge and skill.

Here’s how to start building your skills as a bartender:

Knowing if Bartending is Right for You

Maybe you already have a clear idea of the fundamentals of bartending, whether this is from being acquainted with someone who works in the field or from your general experience of being at the bars. If you question whether or not you have enough familiarity, here is a list of facts you should know about being a bartender.

  • Most of your income will need to come from a good balance between your hourly wage and customer tips, with most bars only paying employees the equivalent to or just a little bit above minimum wage.
  • Good hospitality skills are a must. If you put on a good face and showcase that amazing personality you have, people will like you. Fortunately just like the restaurant industry, generating likability from customers at a bar is a sure way to guarantee tips.
  • Remember, just like any profession, the only way you’re going to excel is through constant studying- most bars have a wide range of drink options and it’s going to fall to you to not only make those drinks correctly but to do it quickly.
  • Make sure that you are comfortable standing for hours on end, as this is one of the major physical requirements of being a bartender.
  • Understand that you will be dealing with problematic people- both drunk and sober. Every walk of life has bad seeds, those people who generate problems and unfortunately, the bar scene is a hotspot for these issues- with customers and workers alike having to take the brunt of this. Whether this is from somebody refusing to pay for a drink or from somebody displaying inappropriate behavior, always review bar policies to ensure that your safety is prioritized.
  • Remember that being a bartender is not easy. It takes constant practice of interpersonal skills, constant experimentation and a constant willingness to learn.



If Bartending is the Right Path for You

Through heavy consideration and a general understanding of the process, you have decided that bartending is the right path for you. Here is a breakdown of what comes next.

  • When looking for work as a bartender, you don’t need to worry about your familiarity with the bartending process just yet. Remember, this is going to be your entry level job as a bartender and this is the point where you’ll learn.
  • If you feel eager to start learning right off the bat before you’re even employed, this is also more than okay. Later on, I discuss the process of familiarizing yourself with constant practice- this can happen before or after you get the job. But keep in mind, your skill set may affect the type of bartending jobs you get.
  • Tailor your resume to have it align to what your future employers would want to see. Make sure to mention customer service experience, experience working in retail and detailing responsibilities you effectively handled under other employers.

Understanding the Basic Duties

Here is a breakdown of the basic duties expected from bartenders, consider this the description. Keep in mind that depending on the setting, the role vary depending on the needs of the bar. This is just a general breakdown of the roles.

  • Checking customer identification to ensure they are of legal age to be consuming alcohol.
  • Taking orders and serving drinks and other items on the menu.
  • Preparing both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, thus having an expert understanding of the ingredients and more importantly, being able to make suggestions to customers.
  • Properly restocking and ensuring everything is of high standard- in turn guaranteeing a high customer turnout.
  • Building off the previous point, providing excellent customer service and ensuring they have a great experience at the bar also guarantees high customer turnout.

How to Learn the Ropes

Now that you understand the basics of the job description, you’re going to need some training in order to ensure you are a master once you are actively working in the bar scene.

  • Start in a role that will set you on the path of becoming a bartender. There are two roles that aspiring bartenders typically choose- as a barback or a server. Working as a barback will give you experience of maintaining the quality of the bar and understanding the day to day functions. Working as a server will allow you to get to know the bartenders and management, giving you that much needed experience in customer service and understanding the basics of making drinks.
  • Take bartender courses to learn the fundamentals, whether this is online or in person, there is no better way to learn than through the experts. This is not only the perfect opportunity to learn bartending etiquette but also the best opportunity to learn new recipes and practice at home.
  • While many states don’t require formal training to be a bartender, there are some states that require a certification course if you are to legally serve alcohol. This will allow you to know everything needed to start working as a bartender and just like regular courses, it will look good in the eyes of future employers.

After You’ve Familiarized Yourself

This is the point that you’ve been working towards. You are now a certified bartender! Whether this was through an actual course or through training on the job, all of those countless hours of honing your craft have paid off. But as any great worker would say, the training never ends. Here’s some advice to help you with your future as a bartender.

  • Impart the knowledge you have learned onto others. There will come a day where you will have to train someone in your line of work, this is something you should never hesitate to do. It gives you the opportunity to train someone who was once in a position like you and allows you to reassess your knowledge on being a bartender.
  • Constantly search for new ways to make drinks and familiarize yourself with new recipes. This will not only allow you to keep perfecting your craft but help you stand out among your peers in displaying strong leadership qualities.
  • Speaking of which, always remember that there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’. The foundations of every team comes with the ability to work together in harmony- even in the fast-paced environment of bartending. Always remember the value of good communication and the ability to accept criticism humbly.



WORKS CITED:

“How to Become a Bartender.” Indeed Career Guide, www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-bartender.

McNamara, Amanda. “How to Become a Bartender - on the Line: Toast Pos.” On the Line | Toast POS, Toast, Inc., 20 July 2021, pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/how-to-become-a-bartender.

“How to Become a Bartender.” How To Become - Practical Guide for Careers, www.howtobecome.com/how-to-become-a-bartender.

Corrigan, Lori. “What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Bartender?” Work, 21 Nov. 2017, work.chron.com/qualifications-need-bartender-8821.html.

Blake, Tom. “How to Become a Bartender.” WikiHow, WikiHow, 31 July 2021, m.wikihow.com/Become-a-Bartender.