Bartending

Answer 1

Bartenders prepare Alcoholic Beverages according to recipes or customer preference. Bartenders may work in public or private establishments or be hired for a one time special event.

Duties

Bartenders take drink orders from bar patrons and serving staff, mix and serve drinks, and usually collect money from bar patrons. Bartenders stock liquor and other supplies behind the bar, fill beer coolers, replace empty kegs, and often fill ice compartments. Bartenders remove all empty liquor and beer bottles, beer kegs, and all trash from behind the bar. Bartenders often serve food to bar patrons.

A bartender is often expected to keep a close inventory on bar supplies and many do the ordering. Bartenders usually clean their own area at the end of the night, including sweeping and mopping.

A bartender is responsible for checking identification of bar patrons to be certain they are of legal drinking age, monitor the condition of patrons and cut off their drinks before they become intoxicated, and sometimes be a mediator between drinking patrons.

Requirements

Bartenders must be of legal drinking age in their state and many states require a permit or license and some states require a health certificate to be certain the individual has no communicable diseases. Bartenders must know the alcoholic beverage laws of their state and are required to abide by them. Many states require that bartenders attend a responsible server class.

There are bartending schools for learning the trade but most bartenders learn on the job. A bartender is often a server who has learned by watching bartenders. There are books of drink recipes that every bartender keeps on hand.

A bartender must be able to lift heavy loads, be on his or her feet for long hours, be a people person, be able to work in rushed and stressful conditions, and keep a cool head when others lose theirs.

Earnings

A bartender usually starts at minimum wage but as a tipped employee it may be less. Bartenders count on tips for most of their income and a good bartender can make $20,000-35,000 a year or more, depending on the type of establishment. Insurance and paid vacations may be offered and most establishments give one free meal during working hours.

Outlook

There will always be a need for bartenders, especially in tourist areas, but often getting the job is watching for job listings and being in the right place at the right time.