How to become a bartender
- Earn a high school diploma. While a college degree isn’t required to become a bartender, you should have a high school diploma or GED.
- Attend bartending school.
- Gain experience and work your way up.
- Work as a barback.
- Practice your skills.
Contents
Do bartenders make much money?
What Is the Bartender’s Hourly Wage per State? – The minimum wage and average salary for jobs vary based on the state in the US. For average bartender pay, some states pay an average wage of as little as $10/hr and as much as $17/hr, Indeed created a map to show how much bartenders earn by state according to their average ($14.07/hr). 
As you can see, the states that pay the most to bartenders are New Hampshire, with $17.72/hr, and Massachusetts, with $17.58/hr. While the lowest paying rates for bartenders are in Mississippi at $10.41/hr.
Can you make good money as a bartender?
How Much Do Bartenders Make In Tips: Bartender Salary With Tips – The average salary for a bartender with tips included is $65,094. To get a more accurate picture of a bartenders’ salary with tips, let’s revisit the data from above with tips added in.
Is bartending a stressful job?
A long-standing employment option for many people, bartending is one that has been around for millennia. It is a position that calls for a specific set of abilities, such as the capacity to mix cocktails, pour shots, and serve beer. Bartending can be difficult and stressful, despite what some people may believe. We, bartenders, are aware that our work involves more than just making cocktails,
It entails working long hours, interacting daily with different people, and being on your feet all the time. Additionally, bartenders have difficulties including managing the bar, dealing with troublesome patrons, and cleaning up after guests. Bartending can be a fulfilling career for those who enjoy connecting with people and providing top-notch customer service, despite the difficulties.
It’s crucial to balance the benefits and drawbacks of a bartending job, While working as a bartender can be entertaining and exciting, it also calls for commitment and hard effort, Attending bartending school can be helpful in learning the skills necessary to become a successful bartender, but it is also important to have a positive attitude, a smile on your face, and the ability to handle stressful situations.
Is it hard to be a bartender?
2. Bartending Pros and Cons – We’ve mentioned the perks of bartending. But, like every job, there are also downsides to the role. Compare the following pros and cons to decide if bartending is right for you:
Bartending can be mentally taxing. Bartending is physically demanding. You’ll work in a demanding, high-pressure environment. You’ll work late nights – and your weekends won’t be your own. Work can be boring and monotonous.
Can you be a good bartender if you don’t drink?
Drinking isn’t a requirement for bartenders. You can work as one and may have no desire for alcohol. Bar owners search for a worker who possesses a professional demeanor and good ethics; can mix drinks; guard the establishment’s interests; and provide great customer service.
How do you dress like a bartender?
A Crisp White Shirt – Dressing as a bartender is about looking sharp, smart, and formal. Start your look with a high-quality white shirt, freshly washed and ironed (or steamed) before each shift. Some bars may require different coloured shirts, such as black, which is great for hiding any drinks spills. But, if they don’t specify, then opt for white. It’s a traditional choice for a suave style!
Can an introvert be a bartender?
Can a casual introvert be a great bartender so long as they move fast, has a great memory and is responsible? I’m an introvert and I was a great bartender for most of my life. I don’t come off like an introvert which was definitely helpful. I could talk to anybody but on my downtime I like alone time.
Is bartending a side hustle?
Bartending on the weekends or as a part-time job can be a great experience for a number of reasons. – Flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of bartending is the flexibility it offers. Many bars are open late into the night, making it an ideal job for people who work full-time during the week and want to make some extra cash on the weekends.
- But don’t just think you have to bartend at night! In Miami there are a slew of hotels and beach bars that are busiest in the daytime, especially on the weekends.
- This type of flexibility will provide time to pursue other interests.
- This is particularly beneficial for those who want to work part-time or who need to balance their work and personal commitments.
Bartenders can choose to work during busy times, such as evenings and weekends, to maximize their earnings potential. Let us not even get into bartending solely events. The South Florida bartending scene is loaded with festivals, music & sports events.
These are perfect for racking up some quick cash on the weekends! Potential Earnings: We won’t go into labor statistics, why? We’re in Miami, not Wichita, Kansas (no offense). Bartenders are often able to earn a substantial amount of money in tips. The average bartender can earn anywhere from $100 to $500 per shift, depending on their skills, location, and the type of establishment or event they are working in.
In addition, bartenders often receive tips in cash, which allows them to see the fruits of their labor right away. You do the math! Socializing: Bartending provides a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of people from all walks of life. Whether you are serving regulars or new faces, bartending gives you the chance to practice your social skills and make new connections.
Self-Expression: Not many jobs allow you the opportunity to express your creativity and individuality, but bartending allows you to do just that. You are the artist behind the bar and can create any drink you can imagine, as long as it fits your establishment’s style and your guest’s palate. Financial Benefits: Bartending can be a lucrative part-time job, especially on the weekends when bars are busiest.
Bartenders typically earn an hourly wage, plus tips, making it a great way to supplement your regular income. Bartenders typically earn an hourly wage, plus tips, making it a great way to supplement your regular income. Employee Discounts: Bartenders often receive employee discounts on food and drinks.
This can result in substantial savings, especially for those who enjoy dining out or visiting bars. Career Opportunities: Bartending can be a steppingstone to broader career opportunities in the hospitality industry. Those who excel as bartenders can go on to become managers, supervisors, or even open their own bars or restaurants.
These positions offer higher salaries and greater opportunities for career advancement. Learning Opportunities: Bartending requires a certain level of skill and knowledge, and as you gain experience, you will also improve your abilities. This can lead to new opportunities, such as getting hired as a full-time bartender, or even starting your own bar or restaurant in the future.
Attending our Bartending School in Miami will provide you with a strong background coupled with industry knowledge. Variety: No two shifts are the same in the world of bartending. You will be constantly presented with new challenges, whether it’s dealing with difficult customers or coming up with creative drinks for your guests.
This keeps the job exciting and rewarding. In conclusion, bartending can be a financially rewarding career choice. From tips to flexible scheduling and opportunities for advancement, there are many benefits to this line of work. So, if you are looking for a career that is both fun and financially beneficial, consider becoming a bartender. 
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What is the name for a female bartender?
A woman who bartends; bartender.
What is the highest paid bartending?
High End Bartender Salary
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $51,500 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $18 |
| Average | $31,899 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,000 | $10 |
How many drinks do bartenders know?
What is the standard of drinks that every bartender should know but tell himself that he is a good bartender? – This question is important, since on many occasions bartenders do not know exactly how many drinks they should know and also how to prepare them.
- Which although it may not seem like it, is an important detail no to overlook.
- Some people wonder how many drinks a bartender needs to learn to make when they learn this profession.
- The International Bartenders Association (IBA) has an official list of 77 drinks,
- Those drinks are seen as the true drink selection that can be requested at a bar.
Those 77 beverages have been classified as the classic originals around the world. However, in every region there might be a slight modification based on their preference or special touch. That is why it is important that every bartender knows which drinks are on this list and obviously.
What are the disadvantages of being a bartender?
You often have to work nights and weekends Because many others have an opposite schedule, working in bartending can mean you don’t have the same free time as others in your family or friend group. Some bartenders also have to work on holidays, which might not work for your needs.
What is the hardest part of being a bartender?
What challenges do you face on a day-to-day basis, if there are any? – The hardest part of this job is that no matter whether you are having a bad day, or going through something, whenever you sign in to start work, you have to face it, and you have to face it from the very first day. All you have to focus on is looking after the customers to make them happy.
What is the youngest age to be a bartender?
What Is the Youngest Age to Be a Bartender? 18 is the youngest age to be a bartender in the USA. Anyone younger than 18 cannot legally serve alcohol in a bar or restaurant.
Is it worth it to learn bartending?
Is Bartending School Worth It? – If you’re totally new to bartending or are having trouble getting your first bartending job, yes. It’s worth it. If you have some experience bartending and only need the specific certification or permit required to work in your area, no.
- It’s not worth it.
- Figure out what your local alcohol laws are and get that specific certification.
- You may be able to get away with just alcohol server training,
- For example, in Texas the TABC certification is all that’s required.
- It costs about $10 and takes a few hours to do the coursework and pass the exam.
Just make sure you know the answer to ” how old do you have to be to serve alcohol ?” Online bartending school is worth it if you have zero to little experience bartending. Or if you need to get your foot in the door and don’t have the time or resources to attend an in-person school. 
You won’t learn industry skills like how to stock a bar or the sizes of wine bottles, but we can fill in the gaps for you. We can even give you a bartender duties checklist to make your work easier.
How do bartenders remember how do you make drinks?
About a decade ago, bartender Brad Farran moved to Brooklyn to help open Clover Club, Julie Reiner’s groundbreaking cocktail lounge. Among his first tasks: memorize a long list of cocktail recipes. “I made myself flashcards,” he says. “I would study them every day, have my roommate quiz me, and read them on the subway.” And he mastered themright up until opening night.
- It didn’t amount to a hill of beans the first time I had three tickets up with two different drinks on each,” he says.
- I was immediately in the weeds.” Memory happens naturally; memorization does not.
- Memorizing something is work, straight up.
- Sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn’t.
- So bartenders have to tweak the process and try different routes to find methods that work for them.
“Over time, it got easier as I figured out how to build drinks on a structural level, how to balance them,” Farran says. “This made it easier to keep things straight in my head.” While many of our everyday tasks once were dependent on memorization—think dialing a phone, driving to a friend’s house, or remembering to meet a lunch date—these have more or less been given over to a constellation of gadgets.
Bartenders, however, don’t have the luxury of outsourcing. Constantly checking a smartphone (or even a less obtrusive smartwatch) to recall the ingredients and measurements in a complicated drink breaks the rhythm behind the bar. And it looks unprofessional—guests will assume you’re texting and just ignoring them.
Frequent checking of recipes also slows performance, which means fewer drinks per shift, which means fewer tips. “If you have to pause to look up a spec or flip through Evernote, that’s seconds wasted,” says Anu Apte-Elford, who helped put Seattle on the cocktail map when she took over the Rob Roy bar in 2009.
- Those seconds add up to minutes, and those minutes could add up to hours.
- Think of all the tips you’re losing by not getting drinks out fast.
- It’s your money and your time.” At the same time, mixology has gleefully plunged into the thickets of bewildering complexity.
- Not only do today’s bartenders have to remember which brands of which spirits go in which cocktail, but now there’s a dash of this house-made tincture, two dashes of that obscure bitters and a rinse of some inscrutable liqueur.
So bartenders more than ever need to master the art of memorization, much as their 19th century forebears did. Knowing dozens of classic and house recipes are just a start; add to that tally maybe a dozen new drinks with each quarterly menu change. “In all frankness, it’s my job, and I don’t consider memorizing 100 recipes any great feat,” says Audrey Saunders, who opened New York’s pioneering Pegu Club in 2005 and helped train dozens of bartenders, many of whom have gone on to open notable bars themselves.
“In the same way a pianist is required to memorize notes and music, a mathematician equations, a scientist formulae, or an actor a script, it’s simply what we do,” she says. “There are no shortcuts. We signed on for the task when we signed up for the job.” But how do they exactly do it? I spoke with a dozen bartenders who had a century’s worth of experience between them, and asked how they achieved the Odyssean feat of decanting an ocean of drinks into their heads.
How to Become a Bartender With No Experience – 7 Steps
No two approached the process exactly alike but I did find some common threads, which might be simplified and summarized as: rote, reason, and riffing. ROTE “The main thing I did was make flashcards and study them incessantly,” says Joaquin Simo, alum of Death & Co.
And proprietor of Pouring Ribbons in New York. “Sitting on the subway. I’d always be flipping flashcards.” Flashcards are cutting-edge 19th century technology—they were initially called “reading cards” and popularized thanks to an influential 1805 book on education. But they worked then and they work now.
If there was a agreement among bartenders, it was the usefulness of flashcards—most seemed to have employed them at one point in their career or another. Not only are they handy, portable tools that never threaten to shut down after dropping to one percent power, but even the act of creating them is a plus.
Jackson Cannon, owner and bar director of the famed Hawthorne in Boston, says there are multiple benefits. “It’s as much writing the drinks down as it is quizzing yourself,” he says. “Note cards remain an essential way to practice new information, and I actually require new staff to do it.” Several others focused not just on words and measurements when memorizing, but also tried to picture their actions making the drink.
“Imagine yourself going through the motions, reaching for the bitters, the bottles, the glassware, etcetera, while reciting the recipe,” says bartender and consultant Franky Marshall with Modern Bartender in New York, and an alum of Clover Club and Dead Rabbit,
“I find visualizing helps to reinforce the actions once you’re actually making the drink.” (This technique of visualization is often employed by athletes, race car drivers and jockeys.) REASON Committing each element to memory is daunting, but as Farran discovered, understanding how these fragments work together from a broader, theoretical perspective can make memorization less daunting.
Instead of memorizing hundreds of individual notes, you’re essentially recalling dozens of chords. Several bartenders mentioned Gary Regan’s Joy of Mixology and its taxonomic approach to “families” of mixed drinks as a helpful memory aid. If you master the basics—how much spirit to how much modifier and sweetener for a handful of drink families—then you can focus on the specific ingredients, and turn to the “family” ratios for measures.
For instance, sours, including the Margarita or Daiquiri, are generally two parts liquor, one part citrus and one part sweet. Still, some drinks break from these standard formulas, or they include an ingredient that resists lodging in the mind. “The basics are straightforward,” says Geoff Wilson, an alum of The Violet Hour in Chicago and currently with Urban Farmer in Portland, Ore.
“It’s the outlier ingredients that can be trouble—like crème de cacao.” Then it’s often back to rote memorization. Or drawing on other mnemonic tricks. Anyone who has taken high school science remembers mnemonic devices like “Roy G. Biv” to recall the colors of the spectrum.
Some use these for drinks that won’t stick—Apte-Elford says one nemesis of hers was the Corpse Reviver #2, for which she had a lot of requests but trouble recalling. “Finally I just started saying GLLCA—pronouncing it GLICKA in my head—and for that helped me remember: gin, lemon, Lillet, Cointreau, absinthe.” RIFFING Several bartenders mentioned that they remembered many drinks in their repertoire basically as riffs on another—instead of remembering abstract formulas, they master a few common drinks and then add and subtract ingredients to those to remember others.
“One advantage to working under Phil Ward is that he was the ultimate Mr. Potato Head bartender,” says Simo, explaining that Ward often swapped key ingredients to craft something new. “Like, it’s a Little Italy but with this instead of that. There were a lot of similar builds where you were making substitutions.” Legendary bartender and author Dale DeGroff, who’s widely credited for kicking of the craft cocktail boom in the 1990s from his perch at New York’s Rainbow Room, agrees that this approach can be helpful in mastering a long list.
- The French 75 is easy because it’s a Tom Collins, but with Champagne instead of club soda—and lose the cherry and orange slice.
- The Sidecar is a sour, and then the Between the Sheets is a Sidecar with a split-base spirit—Cognac and rum,” It’s not just the mustache wax and shirt garters—bartenders live in the past in other ways.
At work they live in an oral rather than a written culture (nevermind digital), and memorization has always been essential in verbal societies. And the more you do it, the better you get at it—ideally, the cocktail recipes become ingrained, like family.
Can you make a living bartending?
Think About Your Earning Potential – If you’re wondering what you need to do to be a bartender, an important step is to think about your earning potential. You can make a living as a full-time bartender, but how much extra cash you have to spend depends on a few factors. Your earning potential is affected by:
The state’s minimum wage. Bartenders have a lower minimum wage rate than others due to tips. The law presumes that the daily tips make up the difference in minimum wage rates. Your shifts help determine your tips. Daytime shifts are usually slower, even at busy restaurants. Most customers are there for lunch, not an adult beverage. Evening shifts are the best, especially on weekend nights. Depending on the location and type of establishment, you may not notice the lower minimum wage. If you work with a barback or other bartenders on your shift, you are expected to share tips. You and the other bartenders get equal shares, and then each gives a specified percentage to the barback. How skilled you are behind the bar affects your tips. Friendly bartenders that can pour great-tasting drinks will make more tips. Bartenders’ salaries are also based on seniority. The longer you stay at an establishment, the higher your rate of pay.
If you’ve decided that bartending is a career you want to explore, and you’re old enough to pour and serve alcohol, it’s time to get started as a bartender.
What kind of bartenders make the most money?
What is the highest-paid bartender job? – The highest-paid bartender job is a head bartender. Head Bartenders earn an average salary of $89,366, which is $ 42.96 hourly. A head bartender is responsible for monitoring bar operations, assisting the bar staff, and ensuring the highest customer satisfaction by addressing the guests’ needs and concerns. Head bartenders usually mix drinks, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the drink mixing industry, experimenting on the menu, and researching current bar drinks to attract and meet guests’ demands. The ultimate goal is to generate more revenues and bar patrons. They also monitor stock inventories, coordinate with the manager to request for supplies, and perform administrative duties as needed.
Is bartending a good side job?
Bartending on the weekends or as a part-time job can be a great experience for a number of reasons. – Flexibility: One of the biggest advantages of bartending is the flexibility it offers. Many bars are open late into the night, making it an ideal job for people who work full-time during the week and want to make some extra cash on the weekends.
But don’t just think you have to bartend at night! In Miami there are a slew of hotels and beach bars that are busiest in the daytime, especially on the weekends. This type of flexibility will provide time to pursue other interests. This is particularly beneficial for those who want to work part-time or who need to balance their work and personal commitments.
Bartenders can choose to work during busy times, such as evenings and weekends, to maximize their earnings potential. Let us not even get into bartending solely events. The South Florida bartending scene is loaded with festivals, music & sports events.
- These are perfect for racking up some quick cash on the weekends! Potential Earnings: We won’t go into labor statistics, why? We’re in Miami, not Wichita, Kansas (no offense).
- Bartenders are often able to earn a substantial amount of money in tips.
- The average bartender can earn anywhere from $100 to $500 per shift, depending on their skills, location, and the type of establishment or event they are working in.
In addition, bartenders often receive tips in cash, which allows them to see the fruits of their labor right away. You do the math! Socializing: Bartending provides a unique opportunity to interact with a variety of people from all walks of life. Whether you are serving regulars or new faces, bartending gives you the chance to practice your social skills and make new connections.
- Self-Expression: Not many jobs allow you the opportunity to express your creativity and individuality, but bartending allows you to do just that.
- You are the artist behind the bar and can create any drink you can imagine, as long as it fits your establishment’s style and your guest’s palate.
- Financial Benefits: Bartending can be a lucrative part-time job, especially on the weekends when bars are busiest.
Bartenders typically earn an hourly wage, plus tips, making it a great way to supplement your regular income. Bartenders typically earn an hourly wage, plus tips, making it a great way to supplement your regular income. Employee Discounts: Bartenders often receive employee discounts on food and drinks.
- This can result in substantial savings, especially for those who enjoy dining out or visiting bars.
- Career Opportunities: Bartending can be a steppingstone to broader career opportunities in the hospitality industry.
- Those who excel as bartenders can go on to become managers, supervisors, or even open their own bars or restaurants.
These positions offer higher salaries and greater opportunities for career advancement. Learning Opportunities: Bartending requires a certain level of skill and knowledge, and as you gain experience, you will also improve your abilities. This can lead to new opportunities, such as getting hired as a full-time bartender, or even starting your own bar or restaurant in the future.
- Attending our Bartending School in Miami will provide you with a strong background coupled with industry knowledge.
- Variety: No two shifts are the same in the world of bartending.
- You will be constantly presented with new challenges, whether it’s dealing with difficult customers or coming up with creative drinks for your guests.
This keeps the job exciting and rewarding. In conclusion, bartending can be a financially rewarding career choice. From tips to flexible scheduling and opportunities for advancement, there are many benefits to this line of work. So, if you are looking for a career that is both fun and financially beneficial, consider becoming a bartender. 786-Bartend Miami’s Bartending School / Institute Bartenders Schools, bartending classes near me, bartending courses near me, become a bartender, bartender school near me
What is the highest-paid bartending?
High End Bartender Salary
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $51,500 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $18 |
| Average | $31,899 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,000 | $10 |