Bartenders?? Tell me about your career.,?

Question

How did you get your job? Did you take a course? What was the cost of your training? What is your work environment and shift like? Do you make enough to support yourself and or family?

Thanks.

Answer 1

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!

Work environments vary from job to job, depending on location, the type of bar and what shifts you work.  The pay is good.  You get more on busy nights working in bar/club in a large town...

Answer 2

Training= can you add ,

Cost of training,= loss of wages if cash register short,

work environment = do you want the job or not ,Like it or go.

Do you make enough money , depends on how good you are

Answer 3

its not a career. sorry.

Answer 4

I was a bartender for 3 years. I started off waiting tables when I was in college and eventually went behind the bar. All my training was done on the job by the old schoolers. The enviornment is hectic on busy days. You run around a lot. Staff can get catty in a bar. You have to deal with mega a******s sometimes, but sometimes you'll get some pretty cool regulars. Hours are long, expect to work on weekends and until 1-3 in the morning. Money was pretty decent. I got paid minimum wage plus tips. On a busy Thursday/Friday/Saturday you can pull 120-200 bucks in tips alone. Sometimes more, sometimes less. On slow days I usually made at least 50-75.