Thinking of becoming a bartender, any tips/advice?

Question

I'm a student in college and have about 8 more years of it to go, so I'm looking for a job to get me by for now. My current job I have to work hard, drive all over, and get up early, I am not a morning person at all. I want to try and get some sort of job in a night venue. I was planning on taking bar tending school or something to learn all the stuff. What do you think? I'm currently paid $12 an hr plus mileage but mileage pretty much evens out with gas.

Answer 1

The bartenders who get the most tips are quick, friendly, and wear low-cut shirts to show off their voluptuous b*****s.

Answer 2

do prostitution first that way you will learn all about drugs and social erganomics that go with then! but really the better you do at prostitution the more customers you will have and its a usefull way of seeing if the jobs for you!

Answer 3

I used to bar tend and I didn't have an "schooling", it's not hard to make drinks for people. It's hard when there's alot of people who want drinks. All you need is to know is the different types of liquor and the recipes for the drinks. You can probably take a book with that info in it or you can be in my position and work with someone just to get started. It's definately a good money making job. It can just be stressful sometimes and you have to deal with the stupid drunks. All I can say is I hope you like talking to people.

Answer 4

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

Being a bartender to pay for school is a great idea, but there are some things to consider. If you have never bartended or even been in the restaurant industry before, bartending school is a good start. However, being a fresh bartender with no practical experience will probably mean getting easier shifts where you might not see as much traffic and therefore, not as much in tips. In this instance, just keep at it... use bottles and water to perfect your pour, work on speed in mixing drinks and repoire with the guests you have.  

Answer 6

You must check out this mixing and measuring article:

http://www.liquorlive.com/content.php?id...

This is what I expect all my new bartenders to know coming in.

Answer 7

Well try getting a job serving/waiting tables at a bar first learn some of the drinks and routines, then go from there.  That is how I started to bartend.