I was thinking about being a bartender... any advice?

Question

I'm 23, a cashier at the moment... and i make a whopping $8.65 an hour with 25 hours at most a week. I'm going to school for baking during the day at the local community college, so my nights are free. i'm really not making enough as a cashier, and i know being a bartender is hard and night shifts, but i think i can do it. any bartenders out there with advice?! thanks for the help! =)

Answer 1

I'm not a bartender, but keys to becoming one are to be really bubbly and friendly. Also think about picking up a mixer book that describes the combinations of drinks and what alcohols work best together.  

Answer 2

I was a bartender for about 10 years and have never regretted it.  the night shifts were tough, but I didn't have kids at the time so it was okay on the home life.  The tips are great, although the wages are often not so good, and you'll more than likely have to start out on the floor and work your way up to the bar.  One HUGE word of advice, if you want to be successful both in college and as a bartender - DON'T DRINK!!! The lifestyle can get hold of you too easily.

Answer 3

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!