9 Tips for Becoming a Bartender

Are you a people person who loves getting to know others from all walks of life? Do you love the bar scene? From small rural bars that rely on jukeboxes to giant tourist attractions with multiple bars and live performances, there are bars for all types of personalities. Working as a bartender in one can be fun, rewarding, and quite lucrative. You don’t even necessarily need the experience to become a bartender.

However, you need to have the patience to watch and learn from other bartenders and assist them initially. There are many restaurants that give freshers a chance where they can learn and get paid too.

Go through this article to learn how you can be a cool bartender without having any previous experience in it.

1. Avoid Going To Bartending School

The reality is that bartending school is often just a waste of money. Yes, it will teach you the recipe Absolut Moscow Mule, but it isn’t going to teach you how to pour 10 of them as fast as possible when a big crowd comes in. School is only for the basics and doesn’t provide the experience that big bars are looking for. The better idea for most people is to reach out to bartenders you know to learn the trade, then start work in a small bar that doesn’t see many big crowds to gain experience.

2. Learn the Bartending Lingo

When an experienced bartender is shouting out orders for you to help with, it’s important that you understand what your co-worker is saying. Bartending has its own lingo that you need to know and understand. Some of the most basic ones include a back, which is a small glass of something else served with a drink, and “dirty,” which is when a customer asks for olive juice in his or her martini. You can find books on bartending lingo or ask your friends in the industry to learn more.

3. Get Your Bartending License

Not all states require a bartending license, but even if yours doesn’t, having one can give you a competitive edge over other job applicants. The license ensures you meet the minimum age for serving alcohol in your state as well as teaches you the laws and penalties for serving to a minor, how to identify the stages of intoxication in customers, and how to prevent or handle disturbances between customers when you’re on the job. Always ensure you take a state-approved course to get your license. 

4. Get Into a Fitness Routine

It might seem silly, but if you aren’t used to shaking drinks, carrying trays, and being on your feet for hours at a time, you’re going to way to get fit before you start bartending. The job is a strenuous one that, depending on the security of the bar you work at, may even require you to physically separate guests from time to time. In addition to moving around well, be sure you’re wearing non-slip footwear when you do work and drink plenty of water. This will keep you safe and strong on the job.

5. Sharpen Your Social Skills

Most jobs list social skills as a “soft” skillset, but they are mandatory for people who are bartending. After all, the more your customers like you, the more money you’ll make in tips. You will spend most of your time interacting with customers when you’re bartending. Learn how to use icebreaker questions to get your customers interested in talking. Ask them what their plans are for the evening, if it’s their first time in the establishment, ask for their name, and give them compliments. Avoid polarizing topics such as current events, politics, or religion. 

6. Find a Mentor

There are many bartenders who would love to have a sidekick and train them. Just find the one who is willing to do that for you. If you are going to start as a barback you need to follow some tips, those are:

• Respect your mentor bartender.

• Understand their needs and make sure you stock the bar all the time accordingly.

• Don’t go on asking questions to them when the bar is too busy.

• Wait for the moment when they are free can solve your queries.

• Offer them help anytime they might use an extra hand.

7. Understand Your Responsibilities

It’s not only about the glamour, the job role of a bartender comes with many responsibilities. here are a few of them:

• Taking orders accurately.

• Pouring drinks with style.

• Greetings to the customers and having a chat with them.

• Making cocktails.

• Make sure you are serving such customers who are at legal age, that’s why you need to ask them politely to show their ID cards.

• Managing stock levels.

• Accepting payment.

• Monitoring the intoxication levels.

8. Advantages & Disadvantages

If you have decided to pursue your career as a bartender, you need to know the pros and cons of bartending.

• The job of a bartender is mentally taxing.

• It requires a lot of physical work to be a bartender.

• Bars are crowded, and you have to stay calm and manage a highly crowded environment with professionalism.

• You have to work late at night.

• The bars are generally get crowded during the weekend, so, no weekend fun for you.

• The work will feel boring and dull at some point.

9. Know How Much Can You Earn

Your salary as a bartender depends on many relevant factors such as minimum wage that has been set by the state law, individual tips, type of establishment, shared tips, seniority and your skill level.

Junior bartenders earn not so much as a fresher, it’s somewhat around $11,000, a junior bartender will make in a year.  On the other hand, a senior bartender can earn more than $130,000 per year.

Becoming a bartender is an excellent job for someone who loves to be around people, prefers sleeping in and working late, and has a genuine love for the industry. Talk to your friends or your favorite local bar to see what else you can do to break into the industry.