How to become A Bartender

Get a degree and academic knowledge. Then spend six months as a Bartender. Now you will be really educated...in listening to stories without rolling your eyes and in making every customer feel their unique needs are being catered to exceptionally.

• Barkeep
• Barman
• Mixologist

What do Bartenders do?

A Bartender would typically need to:

• Manage the operation of a bar; stock and prepare garnishes for drinks; order and maintain an adequate supply of liquor, ice, glasses, and other bar supplies
• Greet customers, give them menus, and inform them about daily specials
• Take and fill alcohol and non-alcohol beverage orders either directly from customers at the bar or through waiters and waitresses who place drink orders for dining room customers
• Pour and serve wine, beer, and other drinks and beverages; serve snacks and food to customers who eat at the bar
• Be familiar with a wide range of drink recipes and the ingredients for special drink requests; handle multiple customized drink orders efficiently
• Avoid spillage or over pouring when measuring and pouring beverages; clean bars, tables, and work areas; wash glassware and utensils
• Collect payments from customers and return change
• Comply with food and beverage regulations; check the identification of customers to ensure that they are of legal drinking age; monitor the level of intoxication of customers
• Work well with wait other kitchen staff to ensure excellent guest experience

Bartenders typically work indoors; some work outdoors at pool or beach bars or at catered events. Working conditions vary widely. Bars in luxury hotels, restaurants, and resorts offer more plush surroundings than do neighborhood bars. Bartenders must be able to get along well with the public. They should also have good judgment and be willing to stop service to a customer who has had too much to drink. Some establishments, especially busy establishments with many customers, use equipment that automatically measures and pours drinks at the push of a button. Because they are often on the front lines of customer service in bars and restaurants, a neat appearance is essential. This is especially true in upscale restaurants and bars, where they may need to wear a uniform.

Bartenders may work more than forty hours per week. They often work until very late at night and on weekends and some holidays. Some Bartenders work split shifts; that is, they work for a few hours, take a long break, and return to work a few hours later. Part-time positions are often available.

Job entry is most likely through an accredited course, an apprenticeship or direct application. About a fifth of all Bartenders own the establishment where they work. Employers advertise most often on social media and online jobs boards. They may also ask their current employees to spread the word that they are looking for staff.

Bartenders are generally employed by:

• Restaurants with a Liquor License
• Bars
• Private Clubs
• Civic & Social Organizations
• Hotels
• Ships
• Trains
• Amusement, Gambling & Recreation Industries
• Drinking Joints

Many bartenders belong to labor unions. Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Bartenders interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to spend long hours on their feet while preparing drinks and serving customers
• Under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently while ensuring that no alcohol is served to minors or overly intoxicated customers
• Repetitive tasks; need to lift heavy kegs of beer and cases of liquor
• Stress of proactively denying service to intoxicated customers

Many Bartenders are promoted from other jobs at the establishments in which they work. Some may start as bartender helpers while others may start in various roles related to serving food and beverage.

Most Bartenders receive on-the-job training, usually lasting a few weeks, under the guidance of an experienced Bartender. In addition to everything else, the training focuses on bar-setup procedures, and challenging customer service, including how to handle unruly customers. In establishments that serve food, the training may cover teamwork and proper food-handling procedures.

Some employers teach bartending skills to new workers by providing self-study programs, online programs, videos, and instructional booklets that explain service skills. Such programs communicate the philosophy of the establishment, help new Bartenders build rapport with other staff, and instill a desire to work as part of a team.

A work trial is often part of the recruitment process. Be prepared to do a shift of at least one hour, running through common tasks of the role, including interacting with customers, pouring drinks, clearing tables, and processing purchases.

Individuals who serve alcoholic beverages should be at least 18 years old. No formal education is required to become a Bartender. However, some aspiring Bartenders attend a school for bartending or bartending classes at a vocational or technical school.

The programs may include essential government laws and regulations, cocktail recipes, proper attire and conduct, and stocking a bar. The length of each program varies, but most courses last a few weeks. Some schools help their graduates find jobs.

Completion of mixology training, a part of bartender coursework will earn you valuable certification. Bartenders who are mixologists have a deep understanding of bartending, including recipes, garnishes, appropriate glassware, and customer service. Adherence to regulations for safety and responsibly serving alcohol is an essential aspect of bartending certification.

Bartenders need a license from the government to serve alcoholic beverages. They may typically attend a short licensing program approved by a government liquor regulation board. These programs might include training on liquor laws and the ethics and principles of serving alcohol responsibly.

Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications. Unlike many other careers, a bartender is often the first job on a career path. Like most jobs, you will have to start at the bottom, usually sweeping stock room floors or washing glassware.

Once you've proven that you can man your own station behind the bar, remember the entire beverage menu, solve problems and generally be a confident and reliable staff member, the next progression is to Assistant Manager or Assistant Bar Manager. A degree and significant experience will fetch you a position with increased responsibility. The Assistant Manager is a full time member of the staff on an annual wage, with benefits such as annual leave, sick pay and superannuation.

The next step is a bigger leap and usually filled once the current General Manager has left the business. This is the big fish where you are in charge of essentially everything in the bar or restaurant. Unfortunately, this doesn’t include much of making the cocktails or serving. This position comes after about 10 years’ experience in the industry with qualifications such as a degree in hospitality. You would oversee every aspect of management from operations to human resources, customer service, public relations, accounting, and improving sales revenue. This is considered an executive-level position, so you will often report directly to the owner.

This is where the progression becomes interesting! You’ve spent the last 15 years slugging it away working for someone else and you now have the opportunity and the skills and qualifications to own your own bar. As the Owner, you get to design the menus and fit out exactly how you always wanted in the area of town that you’ve always told people would be perfect for a bar.

Like the Owner position, this is you taking control of your future with a long career in the drinks industry. The Brand Ambassador is a person who represents a brand to targeted customers in order to increase awareness, create a specific image, generate sales opportunities, and build customer preference. It is a highly respected role in the alcohol industry.

Job prospects are expected to be very good because of the need to replace the many workers who leave the occupation each year.

Competition is expected for bartending jobs in popular restaurants and fine-dining establishments, in both of which tips are highest. Those who have graduated from bartending schools or those with previous work experience and excellent customer-service skills should have the best job prospects.

After preliminary training, not much can be done to enhance your bartending skills, other than basic hotel management courses and continuing professional development on a personal basis.

Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of professionals towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables professionals to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.

Priceless Tips

You must listen carefully to customers’ orders, explain drink and food items to them, and recommend menu options after assessing their needs and preferences. As customers often enjoy chatting with you on a variety of subjects, you should be a good conversationalist to create a friendly and welcoming ambiance.

Employers are on the lookout for confident, outgoing and observant individuals who are good listeners with a healthy sense of humor. You must be discerning, decisive, and able to take firm action while managing stressful environments and situations. For example, you should be able to detect intoxicated and underage customers as well as deny service to such individuals.

Practice weightlifting and build your muscle strength - you will need to lift and carry heavy cases of liquor, beer, and other bar supplies, often weighing up to 50 pounds. Being flexible with your availability is also really important in this role as most employers will expect you to work weekends, public holidays, and/or nights.

Sean’s Bar in Ireland lays claim to being the oldest bar in the world; renovations in 1970 revealed original ‘wattle and wicker’ walls which place it at 900 C.E.

The greatest accomplishment of a Bartender lies in their ability to exactly suit every customer - part philosopher, part psychiatrist, part psychic.

Successful and popular Bartenders pull out all the stops when it comes to their customers. They pay particular attention to meet the individual needs of all, whether it be the regulars, the occasionals or the first-timers.