How To Become A Bartender - Bartending As A Career:
Finding a job is never easy, and finding a job as a bartender is no easy task (even if you went to bartenders school). Being is bartender is a lot more complicated than most people think - it's not just making drinks from vodka, gin, rum, and beer. Usually to become a bartender you have to go to an official bartending school or attend bartending courses (we cover this in more detail below). I live in Las Vegas and here it will cost you about $400 (on average) to enroll in a bartending training course. Bartending is an old profession because people have been drinking for years and they have always felt comfortable talking to the local bartender. If you live in a big city like New York or San Francisco then you can expect a lot of competition when you try to find your new job as a bartender. The good news though is that bartenders in big cities (SF, Los Angeles, Miami, etc.) tend to make a lot of money, which is why most people consider the career in the first place. If you are seriously interested in pursuing a career in bartending then be sure to do read bartending books, watch videos, talk to people who are currently bartending, network, basically just do whatever you can to meet people in the business. We have reviewed some of the important steps below, so enjoy our article and hopefully it helps with your job search.
Bartender School - Bartending Classes & Bartender Training:
Do you want to attend bartending school? If you want to find a job then you will have to attend some sort of bartending classes. If you have a friend who owns a bar, or if you have a connection in the bar industry then you might be able to just get a job without having any experience. As we mentioned above you will find most bartending schools charge about $300 - $400 to enroll in the course. Typically the bartender classes will last for about 2 weeks, but in some cases I've talked to people who went to a longer, more in depth course on bartending. If you are looking for a good website that can help you find a bartending school then try abcbartending.com. It's hard to get a good bartending job without having any experience, and the only way to get experience is by working so don't pass up a entry-level bartending job (maybe a local bar, hotel bar, or even a restaurant bar). After you have graduated from bartending school and you gain work experience, you will start to find many opportunities. Getting trained properly is very important because many bartenders acquire bad habits, which can ultimately get them fired from a good job. Learn hot to bartend professionally and from them you will find bartending jobs in nightclubs, weddings, golf resorts, private parties, etc.
Bartending Jobs and How To Find Employment As a Bartender:
Do you want to land a good bartending job? Do you want to work in the nightlife? Whatever your motivation is, being a bartender can be very profitable and a fun way to live your life. Looking online is a great way to find local bartending jobs and some websites like backpage.com even offer a notification system (which alerts you to new job listings). There are many companies that claim to offer job placement assistance, but in the end your best bet is to network and hit the streets while you pass out your resume. Once you land a bartending job you will be overwhelmed for the first few weeks and then it will start to feel normal. For some people it's hard to get used to the hours required (usually late nights), the dark and smoky atmosphere, and the drunk rowdy customers that you will see every night. On the other hand though, many bartenders love seeing their loyal customers and eventually end up knowing what their regulars drink (whether a cold beer, apple martini, or maybe some blended drink). If you do decide to pursue being a bartender, just remember that it's a very competitive business where youth and good looks play a major part.
Bartender License and Bartender Salary:
Are you worried about getting a bartenders license? Well, the good news is that you don't have to be worried about getting an official certification or "bartenders license" in order to get a bartending job. As we stated above, the best way to get your foot in the door is to enroll in a local bartending school where you can learn the skills and meet some contacts. There is a big misconception among bar patrons that bartenders make a lot of money from the bar they work for. Most bars and restaurants (even casinos in Las VEgas) pay their bartenders near minimum wage, which means that all bartenders heavily depend on making tips Ask any bartender "how they make their money" and 99 percent of them will tell you that they live on tips. Bartending can be lucrative though and many bartenders in cities like Las Vegas, Chicago, los angeles and Boston can easily make over $70,000 a year.
Flair Bartending & Making Drinks, Serving Cocktails, Using Drink Recipes:
Being a flair bartender (not flare) is a great way to be unique at work. Throwing bottles in the air, catching glasses behind your back, and flirting with the crowd are all parts of a "flair bartenders" job. Usually flair bartenders making a ton of money in tips from happy customers who love to see something different. In Las Vegas casino bartenders tend to \be the highest paid with the best benefits (health, union, vacation, sick). Serving cocktails is what will make your, or break you as a bartender. Most hotel, bar, and casino guests don't like a rude service employee (bartender, dealer waitress, manager, etc.). When people go to bars or go on a vacation their main goal is to have fun, so when the bartender is dull, rude, or just uninterested in his customers he will feel the results in his tip jar.
Bartender Music and Helping Run a Bar:
Even though serving alcoholic drinks will make most bar patrons happy and content, the best way to set the party mood in your bar is to play the right music. There are many key elements to running a successful bar and the most important thing is hiring the right people as employees. The music in any bar (casino, restaurant, or club) is so vital because it literally sets the mood. If you are in a hip hop nightclub then you are going to expect to hear rap music (or R&B, etc.) and if you are in a country bar then obviously the customers are going to request country music. Some bars even hire live bands (that play cover songs) to entertain the crowds, while other bars hire a dj to just play the most popular songs. Most bartenders will admit that the right music can help a club succeed, yet in the end the biggest factor is management and the staff (waitress, bouncers,etc.). If you own a bar or club (or if you just have any input) then don't hire the cheapest guy around, instead look for quality and experience when it comes to hiring new employees - spending money now could save you thousands down the road.
