Why would you want to be a bartender? There are quite a few reasons why one might consider becoming a bartender. Money is probably the main reason most people become bartenders – a good bartender in a busy place can work part time and earn a decent income full time. If you like meeting people, this is just another reason to work in the hospitality industry: bartenders meet new people almost every night they work. Also, being a waiter is probably one of the most fun jobs you can have.

Money

Most people tip a minimum of $1 per drink, if they pay for each drink in cash. If they run a tab, the base tip is considered 15% and a good tip is around 20% if you do a good job. Some people tip even more. If you serve 200 drinks in one night and everyone pays cash, that will translate to about $200 in your pocket for a fun short shift. If everyone is running, your sales at the end of the night will be around $400 on 200 drinks, if it’s a $2 beer night and everyone got the cheap beer. At 20%, that’s $80, which is actually a low estimate because many people will continue to buy more expensive, higher quality drinks. In addition to the tips you’ll earn (which you can see are impressive), you’ll also be paid an hourly wage to supplement your tips, as well as a possible tip share if you prepare drinks for waiters or cocktail waitresses. With your hourly wage and tip sharing, your income grows very quickly and there is the potential to earn a lot of money.

Meet people

In most places, bartending is a very social job. Your job will consist of meeting, conversing and entertaining the different guests of the establishment. You will meet a lot of new people in this line of work, as there is almost always someone new coming in. You will meet, talk to and enjoy the company of many new people on a regular basis. Who knows? Your job may even introduce you to new friends or a romantic interest?

Fun

The fun or party atmosphere associated with most bars or clubs means that you will have a more relaxed working environment. Dress code guidelines are generally less strict, and patrons generally trust the bartender for a good conversation. Many bartenders have an arsenal of tricks, jokes, and conversation skills to keep their customers engaged and amused. Your bosses will spend more time with you if you’re funny, and the longer they stay, the more they spend. Obviously, the more they spend, the more they tip, so your income is directly related to how much entertainment you can keep your bosses up.

Get there

Now that you know why you want to be a bartender, so how do you get there? You could take the long and hard road as a waiter or a barback, but nobody likes the long and hard road. Is there an easier way?

The answer is yes. As a server or bartender, it could take you months or even years to learn everything you need to know to be a successful bartender. Instead, he can attend a bartender’s school. These schools are designed to give you all the basic information you’ll need to succeed in most bar environments in no time, so you can get right into the fray without having to worry about learning the basics with everything going on around you. around. .

You can expect to learn about 100 of the most popular and classic recipes that you’ll need to know at most bars. You will learn by watching a professional bartender mix the drink in front of you, explaining what is being done and why, and then repeating the process yourself until you are comfortable with the process.

You can also expect to learn the basics, such as customer service, garnishes, and the correct glasses to serve drinks with. In addition, basic beer and wine knowledge will be taught, such as how to properly brew a draft beer (yes, there is a proper way), and how to pour a glass of wine and present a bottle of wine.

There will be a short class on alcohol responsibility and a certification of approval. This course covers how to properly verify IDs and how to spot counterfeits, as well as state and federal laws regarding the sale and service of alcohol. You’ll know how to spot a fake ID and when to interrupt someone after this short course.

Many schools will help you find a job with a job placement service. Through agreements with bars, schools can help you find a job at many of the bars and clubs in and around the area you attend school to help you get real experience behind a real bar.

When you’re looking for a school, make sure you pay attention to how they teach. Many bartending schools, unfortunately, have turned into scams. You want relatively new textbooks and materials, as well as a professional classroom setup. Good schools will have classrooms that look and feel like a real bar when you walk in. You should see everything you’d expect in a real bar: a counter, bar stools, three-compartment steel sink, soda gun, speed racks, ice bins, and real liquor bottles. (The liquid inside the bottles is not actual liquor, but a special liquid made to look and act like the liquor it is supposed to be.) This allows you to get a real feel for working behind a real bar. Some may have “workstations” that look like miniature bars. Don’t settle for a school you wouldn’t have a drink at, they are most likely a scam.

Now that you know what to look for in a school and why you would benefit from attending bartender school, get out there and start learning. Once you’ve finished the class, you won’t regret your choice and soon you should be earning money and having fun at your new job. Enjoy your new vocation, whether you just need some extra cash or want to make a full-time living bartending.