There's definitely more than one way to skin this cat. There's bartending schools, which can give you a basic crash course in the fine art of bartending, and even help you find a job. There's the ole "lie on your resume" trick, which may get you the job, but may not help you keep it. Then there's the work your way up philosophy, where you start out bussing or waiting tables and wait for the prize spot to open up. The choice is yours.
In the typicaly bar you'll need to have a few dozen recipes down pat. In some of the more upscale and chain restaurant type joints, you'll be required to memorize 100 or more. Don't stress, it's not as tough as it sounds, and just like with anything else, practice makes perfect.
Do you want the truth? Can you handle the truth? Well, the truth is would you trust an anorexic chef to cook you up a great meal? Didn't think so. Although it's certainly possible to bartend without drinking booze, in our honest opinion we think your ability to really excel in the fine art of Mixology would be extremely limited. You wouldn't have a clue what anything tasted like, how to combine ingredients to concoct your signature drink, or even relate to the drunk guy sitting in front of you.
Although you may find it a wee bit tougher to find a bartending job, especially depending on WHY you were convicted in the first place, there are no laws that say you cannot bartend with a felony conviction - just keep your nose clean, got it?
Reputable establishments hire women as frequently as men for bartending jobs if not more often. And while it is true that bartending carries it's risks, there are a vast amount of options when it comes to hours, location and type of bar you'd be working at, so if you make the right decisions, bartending can be safer than working in a grocery store.
There is no age barrier in the Bartending field. There is room for everyone from young people of eighteen years old to people in the Golden Years. Your ability, personality and attitude count more than anything else. So get moving grandpa!
We think so. Bartending is one of those jobs that rarely gets old (unless you're in one of THOSE places. Bartending pays well. Offers plenty of room for advancement (ie, Bar Management), in some cases benefits, and above average blue collar pay. Plus the chicks dig it! What else could you ask for in a career?
Bartending at private parties, events and functions is a great way to not only gain experience but to gain confidence behind the bar. You'll master the basic techniques, solidify drink recipes in your head, and make some decent cash.
Bartenders make their money in two parts. One is an hourly wage. The bad news is that this hourly wage is typically minimum wage. The good news is that the hourly wage makes up only a small part of a bartender's pay - tips make up the rest, and it's a significant part of what Bartenders earn. Tips can account for an added $20 an hour or more. Plus, bartenders sometimes get great benefits (depending on where you work) including vacation time, medical, dental and more. And you're sure to get a few free meals and drinks from time to time!
If you serve alcohol or employ people who do, more and more of our courts have a message for you. You've got to do more to stop intoxicated customers from driving drunk. To help you avoid that risk, and help save lives, there is a proven training program called TIPS* Training for Intervention procedures by Servers of Alcohol.
A "Barback" is that mythical Irish creature....uh, wait, that's not right. Although the Barback is becoming extinct in many bars (replaced by the lowly busser), you may still be able to score a job. A Barback is essentially the bartender's bitch. They'll wash glasses, change kegs, maybe, just maybe get to pour a beer. The barback does the dirty work, and receives a portion of the bartender's tips in return. Barbacking is thought of a great stepping stone to a full fledged bartending gig.
