Bartender question......?

Question

does it really help if you're physically attractive? or is it mostly just about how good you are at the job? is someone likely to get a good job if they have no previous experience (just cos of their looks and bubbly personality or whatever)?

Answer 1

it depends on the bartending job you're trying to get.  

if you are going for a job at a dance club or strip bar then looks are a lot more important than experience.  the drinks are not that complicated and you would be opening a lot of beer bottles.  plus lets be honest most guys that go to those places are most likely single and looking for eye candy.

looks will always help you get a job but for say a fine dining restaurant or upscale place you would also need some experience.  you have to know the basics at least.

Answer 2

well firstoff good bartenders ushally work in upscale places. then as skill & looks decrease so do oppertunities. mixology is a good start if you want to learn proper.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the bar.

I personally don't care what the bartender looks like, his/her job is to get me and my lady a drink. If she/he is nice, great. If they're just efficient, I'm still happy and happy = tipping. If there's a knockout behind the bar who has to consult a book/chart to make a classic martini or manhattan or who doesn't take care of everyone in turn, then no tip and no return visit. I'd hope bars would likely favor skill over looks, at least somewhat, but I'm sure they know that there's always that segment who wants eye candy and who has this illusion that they've got a shot at the lady behind the bar.

Answer 4

To be honest...if I can get a job bartending...anyone can do it.

Don't go to bartending school (i.e. don't waste the money) unless the job you are applying to requires such an endevour (usually only hotels and casinos ask for that kind of stuff)

Also, most states don't require a license either. Depending on what state you live in you need to make sure of the age requirements (most states require that you are 21 years old and that's it, some want you to get a state license...etc...) Just check the laws for your state (go here: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/StateAn...

The most important thing that you should do is pick up the Bartender's Black Book (you can usually find it at a local package store, if not order it from Amazon). It has thousands of recipes, Plus all the basics, terms, and measurements you need to memorize immediately. Learning your pour count, knowing how to make a Long Island, a Martini, a Cosmo, how to tap a keg, etc...

Other than knowing how to pour drinks and serve drinks quickly, the main thing a bartender has to do is listen/talk to people. Make sure you are a people person. You have to love to listen too, especially to drunks. You also want to be up to date on local stuff (where the best entertainment spots are, the nearest hotel, the cab's number, etc...) You also need to have at least two jokes you can pull from memory. One dirty, and one you could tell your mother. Both have to be funny. Also be up to date on all sports scores, especially on local teams. Know who is playing who and at what time (make sure to have it on the TV too).

When starting out, it may be tough to get a job. The best thing to do is to apply to all the places that cycle through bartenders/barbacks a lot (like restaurants, hotel bars, etc...) Then find bars that you like personally and become somewhat of a regular at those places. Get to know the other bartenders, owners, managers, and then in a few months drop the line that you would be willing to work for them. Start out as a barback and work your way up. Most small bars are run like families anyway. You will have to know your fellow employees well. That is how I got my first two bartending jobs and eventually made it to bar manager.

Bartending is an extremely fun job. You will meet tons of people and hear lots of interesting stories. Plus you will know alcohol better than the back of your hand. I find it to be quite rewarding when it comes to the bank account too.

Have Fun and Good Luck!

Answer 5

I would say bartending is going to be the same as any Customer Service job... the 1st thing an employer looks at is looks/personality, the 2nd is going to be actual knowledge/skill.