How to Become a Bartender : 4 Tips on How to Become a Bartender
81How to Become a Bartender
4 Tips on How to Become a Bartender
There are as many paths to becoming a bartender as there are bartenders. Some have gotten into the business through family and friends. Some bartenders get a job by beating the streets until they get blisters (and hopefully a job).
Some bartenders even went to bartending school, although in 12 years in the business I still haven't met one. Some were looking to make great money while they go to college. Some were looking to support their family. Either way, lots of bartenders choose to make it a career because the money is so good. But this isn't about the why of becoming a bartender this is about how to become a bartender.
Everyone will be approaching their job search from a different perspective and different level of experience. I will start from scratch and assume you have no bartending experience.
TIP 1
The first thing you need to do is get the word out. Some people, when new to bartending, are reluctant to announce that they are looking for a bartending job. Maybe they are changing careers and are looking to make cash in the interim. Maybe they are in college and don't want their parents to know they spend their nights in a bar. But this must be overcome.
You would be amazed how many people you know - know bartenders. And I mean really know them. They spend time with their bartender on a weekly or even daily basis. This type of situation lends itself to developing real relationships very quickly. So don't be suprised when you tell Uncle Joe or cousin Robby that you are looking for a bartending job and they reply, "Oh, I think I can get you one."
TIP 2
Aspiring bartenders will also want to create a cover letter and resume strictly for bartending jobs only. This is an absolute must. Bartenders are expected to put their personality on display when behind the bar. Their cover letter and resume has to POP with personality. Traditional job employers want boring resumes on white paper. Do NOT do this for a bartending job. Get creative and let your personality shine through.
If you are new to bartending the personality you put forward in your cover letter and resume has to overcome your lack of experience. You can and should present your previous experience so that it comes across as a bartending skill.
TIP 3
The third tip on how to get a bartending job is that you need at least some fundamental skills. Bartending doesn't require any specific degree or certification but you have to come to the table with some skills. If you are totally new to the business I recommend checking out this video series. It was produced by the folks at expert village and is a tremendous resource for beginning bartenders. I have imbedded on video below. When viewing don't worry about the recipes but pay attention to the technique. Go to a restaurant supply store and get the equipment you see the bartenders using, like a martini shaker, strainer, pour spout and wine knife. Set up a small work station and practice using these tools. Have fun with it and don't get intimidated.
The video series has a ton of recipes but don't be fooled. In most establishments you will make the same 20-50 drinks over and over. Once you know all the standard two ingredient drinks like a screwdriver, rum & coke, and greyhound learning all you need is actully pretty easy. It is a myth that bartenders need to know hundreds of recipes, don't be fooled.
TIP 4
Last but certainly not least....Take Action! You can surf the net all you want, you can dream about it all day, nothing will happen unless you take action.
"Action is no guarantee of happiness, But without action there is no happiness."
Just decide to believe in yourself and follow a plan.
Those are my simple and easy to implement tips on how to become a bartender.
How to Become a Bartender - Resources
- How to Become a Bartender
Check out these seven secrets on how to get a bartending job. Don't forget to sign up for the free newsletter full of tips, techniques and bartending recipes. - Bartending Cover Letter
Tips on how to write a bartending cover letter that will get you noticed. - Bartending Resume
A how-to guide for writing the perfect bartending resume. - Video Bartending Guide
This is a big series by expert village. Be sure to watch the techniques used.
How to Become a Bartender - Shake like a Pro
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Comments
I have checed out a few bartending schools and they claim they can train me in as little as one to two weeks and place me in a job, is it worth the money?
Quentin,
While I can't speak for the legitimacy of every bartending school out there I have yet to see ONE that stands true to that offer. They all claim to do job placement at the end and what they do is give you some outdated phone numbers to call.
Try to find someone who has graduated from this school to verify their claims. They should be able to give you a long list a happy graduates.
They will teach you how to make drinks but that is only a small part of being a bartender. Sign up for my newsletter at www.getabartendingjob.com for the best free advice anywhere.
Good luck and Happy Hunting
I am under the drinking age, but I would like to become a bartender to help me through college and travelling. Do you think I should start as wait staff and learn the tricks by watching, getting accustomed to the scene, and befriending the bartender? Or is it best to simply jump into the pool of bartending opportunity and ask around for jobs as you say?
YoungGuy,
I am not sure which state you in but most states require that you be 21 in order to bartend. If you are looking to make some good cash to help you through school and do some traveling I would highly recommend becoming a server to start your journey to become a bartender.
Servers can make good money as well and the experience will help you get that first bartending job later. Try to befriend the bartenders and ask them to teach you what they can.
There is no better way to learn especially when you are probably to young to hold a bartending job.
Good luck.
Should I apply for a "bar-back" job if I have no experience? I live in a city with a number of bars, I'm certain an employer would not wish to take the time to teach someone from scratch if there are already experienced bartenders around.
Culture Shock-
Just because you don't have experience and live in a city with lots of experienced bartenders doesn't mean you can't get a bartending job. Here is a secret employeed bartenders don't want you to know:
Sometimes managers would prefer to hire someone with no experience and a GREAT attitude!
Why? Because experienced bartenders often come in with bad habits and a chip on their shoulder. Teaching a new employee recipes and mixology is EASY compared to trying to adjust their attitude.
If you go out there a look for a bartending job with a great attitude and remain open to getting your foot in the door as a bar-back you will have a job in no time.
Good Luck
Right on my friend, thanks a lot. I was excited about the idea, and your words are just what I need to push myself to go out and give it a try.
Say I'm a quick learner, or even an average learner...how many hours you think it would take for me to move up to Bartending from bar-back?
Culture-
Glad I could help. Being excited and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is truly more than half the battle. Stay positive and you will get a job in no time.
As far as how long it will take to move up - that is a question that can't be answered. Too much depends on variables like the business' needs, employee relations, etc. But worry about how long and stay open to skipping the bar-back phase and getting hired directly as a bartender.
No matter what people tell you, new bartenders (with absolutely no experience) get hired everyday. Show them you are positive, show them you're great attitude - they will teach you to make the drinks.
For more detailed tips check out the newsletter available at http://getabartendingjob.com
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
i want to become a bartender
Arun,
You have to turn that statement into action. You will become a bartender when you start doing things that make you a bartender. Read this Hub and my others. You are on your way!
Good Luck
THanks so much. I need more information
Hi David,
My pleasure. For more info check out the links in the Resources Section and my other Hubs.
Merry Christmas.
I am very interested in becoming a bartender! I don't live in a big city, but I have been told that it would be much too difficult to start off as a new bartender in a bar or club, but that I should try working in a restaurant first because they are not quite as busy. Do you think this is a wise choice??
Kristi -
I think that is a GREAT idea. There is a misconception with aspiring bartenders that the big bucks are only in the happening bars and nightclubs. Nothing could be further from the truth. In many large establishments you can't get to know your customers(so they tip less) and there are so many bartenders that after everything gets split, you could have made more pulling a slow shift at a local pub.
If you are totally new to bartending I would recommend finding a small restaurant or neighborhood bar to start in. They are perfect for beginning bartenders.
Good Luck with your search. Head over to www.getabartendingjob.com and sign up for my free newsletter. There is also my Seven Secrets Program for sale but I have had a few people e-mail to say they got a job with just the tips in the newsletter.
Happy Hunting,
Brian
i am going to this school in dallas where you spend the first half of class learning the basics and the second half learning in an actual bar, i know that all these people say that bartending school doesnt help but im acctually learning alot. And if i have a speech problem and i can get jobs then anyone can become a bartender, you just need the confidence and the rest will come.
Mikeyo-
I couldn't agree more with your statement on confidence. The first step in any venture is to believe in yourself. If you have found a bartending school that works for you - that is awesome! You see alot of negative stuff on bartending schools b/c too often they overpromise and under deliver. If you have found a good one - then run with it.
Good Luck to You and keep us posted on your success!
Bartending for Beginners
- Follow this advice to get a bartending job
How to Get a Bartending Job from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit Bartending positions are highly desirable and equally hard to get. The job itself is fairly simple, but getting one's foot in the door is not. Here's some tips to help you score one of these fun, lucrative jobs. Steps Develop a plan. No matter which steps you decide to implement below, everything is easier with a plan. Getting a bartending job is no different. Write down 5 places you want to work. Get the contact info for the people who are doing the hiring at these five places. Implement the steps below with these five people in mind. There are a lot of myths out there regarding getting a bartending job, like you have to have experience and you have to start as a barback or server. To learn more and read about how to kick start your bartending job search check out this article.How to Become a Bartender Meet the right people. It's all about who you know. If you have a favorite watering hole, find out who the owner is and start talking him/her up. Befriend the bartenders, barbacks, and cocktail waitresses, and let them know you're looking for a bartending job. Tip well, go often, and generally be a happy, useful presence at the bar. Observe bartenders in action. There are little tricks to pouring a good beer, mixing drinks, and saving time behind the bar. Watch how your mixer handles drink orders. Most of it is not rocket science; the most commonly ordered drinks are liquor plus a mixer. Buy drink manuals to learn about the more complex drinks and practice at home. Consider whether you want to go to bartending school. Some say this is a waste of time and money, saying that it costs about $500 and you learn by mixing colored water, not actual alcohol. They teach you outdated drinks like "grasshoppers" that no one orders anymore, and most will claim to help you find a job. These "job leads" are generally terrible dives you wouldn't want to work at anyway. Most real bars will laugh at someone with a bartending school diploma and no actual work experience. Dress the part. If you want a gig at a fancy restaurant, dress professionally. If you want a job at a hip club, dress edgy. If a dive bar gig is fine by you, dress tough. Most bars are going for a certain look or image, whether they tell you that or not. Look for charity guest bartending gigs. Many big cities are now offering this option. You pick a charity, promote the event, and bring your friends in. In exchange, you and a couple friends get trained for the evening and get to mix drinks all night. It's a great way to get some experience and make contacts. If you impress the bar owner, it could lead to a job. Write a great cover letter and resume. Oftentimes a great cover letter and resume is enough to overcome a lack of experience. Some establishments prefer to hire bartenders with no experience because they won't have any bad habits to break. Experienced or not, the cover letter and resume need to be exciting and pop with personality. A great personality and attitude will elevate you above the competition every time. Prepare for your interview properly. Many bartending job applicants go into their job interviews unprepared. If you look at bartending as a quick fix or so easy to do that you don't need to prepare you will not get the job. The best way to prepare for your interview is to write a great cover letter and resume. You will have them to bring to your interview and the process of writing them will better prepare you for the interview. Tips Come up with a plan and take action. Like anything in life getting a bartending job requires some effort. The more you put in the more you will get out. Decide on the type of place you would like to work, build a list of 7 of these establishments. Write a great cover letter and resume and go to these establishments. Call ahead first so you will be speaking to the right person. Have anecdotes and stories ready and entertain when you get there. Good employees are very hard to find. If you can show that you will be a great employee, they will hire you or find someone who will. Do not b.s. as suggested in other areas - tailor your experience to present yourself as a great employee but never lie about it. More real advice like this is available in a "How to Get a Bartending Job" newsletter Catering companies are a good place to start. They are easier jobs to get, if you can b.s. a little bit, and you will learn a lot by doing basic drinks and pouring wine and beer. Become a barback first. Work your way up the ladder. Bussers have a good opportunity to barback, in some bar&grill joints you must become a busser before they consider you for barback. If you plan on going to a bartending school check their Better Business Bureau profile, be sure they guarantee job placement and that they give you a minimum expected pay rate, never pay for an orientation meeting, ever. Related wikiHows How to Get a Job After You've Been Fired How to Be Confident and Outgoing in a Job Interview When You Are Blind or Visually Impaired How to Get a Job How to Find a Job if You Are Disabled How to "Build" a Bar Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get a Bartending Job. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
- He Doubled His Income by Bartending 2 Nights!
If you are new to bartending or looking for a way to break in the this article is for you.... Please realize that you can do this - Believe in yourself, get off the internet... and go do it! Here's the article: I have been in the restaurant and bar business for over 12 years. The question I am asked the most, by a landslide, is "how do I become a bartender?" I have been asked this question by people already in the restaurant business and people with no experience just looking to make some extra money. I give them all the same answer, "Decide that you want to become a bartender and resolve yourself to doing it."Becoming a bartender is just ......... Read the full article here
- How to Get a Bartending Job with Little or No Experience.
Lots of people want to get a bartending job but don't know how to go about doing it. This article will expose some of the myths of bartending jobs and show you the steps to getting your first bartending job.The first step in getting a bartending job is getting an interview..... Read full Article Here
- Cool Martini Recipes
This is a great resource. I have been getting quite a few requests for specific, hip and cool martini recipes. I thought you would like to check out this recipe list from the folks at Swank Martini. Swank Martini Recipe List Swank sells stuff like martini shakers, glasses and all kinds of bar related stuff. They even have olives! I have a few of their modern martini glasses and they are great at parties but I don't want to get into that. I'm writing to tell you about their Martini Recipe List. They continually update it and its got to have more than 200 recipes on it right now. So if you're having a party anytime soon or want to feature some killer new martinis at your bar then check out Swanks Martini Recipes at: Swank Martini Recipe List I hope you enjoy;) Let me know which ones you like best.
- Persitence is more imprtant than bartending experience
I thought you might like to hear one of my all-time favorite quotes: Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge Whenever I start to feel defeated I read that quote. Thinking back, persistence is how I produced the Seven Secrets Program. Persistence is how I went from busboy to Food and Beverage Director. Persistence is how I convinced my wife to marry me. Everything that I have ever gained that is of value to me; I gained through persistence. So, if times are getting tough or you just need a little inspiration just remember those words from our 30th president. Thank you for reading and Good Luck, Brian Williams getabartendingjob.com
The Publican says:
2 years ago
This hub has gotten 195 views this month. I know there is a community of aspiring bartenders out there. You are not alone.
Stick around and leave a comment. Don't be shy. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can but don't be afraid to talk to each other.
Take Action - Share your Experiences now!
P.S. - Let me know what questions you have or anything else you would like to see on this hub. It is here to for you. Dont be shy, ask away. What is the one question you want answered in your quest to learn how to become a bartender?