Bar tending - normal wages? Normal tips? Qualities needed?

Question

I'm going to be at college soon, and I wanted to get into bartending to help take a load off of my parents' payment. Do most bars pay minimum wage, or do they pay less than that? How much experience do I need to have to get into a good bar? And what qualities do I need to ensure decent tips?

Any advice is appreciated. :)

Answer 1

Bartending do require min. training.  Most of them get paid between 2-3 bucks and hour plus tips.  However, they make awesome tips.  My friend bartends and makes up to 300.00 a night, but of course depends on where you bartending at.  You can also take a training course for bartending in 2 weeks.  

Answer 2

I doubt that you'd get into a top bar without some experience.  The best way might be to go to a bartending school at night at a junior college or something like that.  Can you mix a wide variety of drinks and do it well?  Do you have all the ingredients and proportions memorized for a large number of drinks.  Do you have a good eye for anybody who may be underage?  Can you spot a troublemaker?  But mostly, are you a people person?  You really have to be social to do well in a bar atmosphere.  The other answer about the pay is correct.