Bartending is one of the most popular jobs in America and with good reason. You’re paid to be around people, you get regular shifts, and you have options for advancement. If this sounds appealing, here are some tips on how to land your dream job as a bartender:
Get Experience
The best way to land your dream job as a bartender is to work as a bartender. This may seem obvious, but the truth is that not everyone who wants to be a bartender knows how to get their foot in the door.
You can start by working as a barback or bar manager at some place like Chili’s or Applebee’s. You’ll learn the basics of being behind the bar while gaining valuable experience in what goes on behind closed doors of restaurants and bars on a daily basis.
If you don’t have access to those jobs right away, try applying for positions like ‘server’ at these places instead you’ll get better tips and see more action than if you were just standing around serving drinks anyway!
Be Willing To Start In A Small Bar
Now that you have a list of the bars in your area, it’s time to do some research and figure out which one looks like a good fit for you.
There are many ways to find out more about the bar environment. Ask friends who work as bartenders or servers where they would recommend someone starting. Check online reviews and see what people say about their experiences at certain establishments.
If possible, try visiting each place during non-peak hours so that you can get a feel for how busy it usually gets. And even if you’re not ready yet to apply at another bar right away, it never hurts to ask around about jobs there as well!
Move Around To Different Bars Until You Find Your Home
As a bartender, you will learn more in a few months in a small bar than you would in a year at a large one. Let me tell you why:
You will have more opportunities to work with different types of customers and personalities. The more experience you have dealing with all types of people, the better prepared you will be for anything that comes your way in life or at work.
You’ll get to make more mistakes because there won’t be as many people around to notice them! Embrace those mistakes; they are what makes us human after all!
Go To Bartending School
Going to bartending school is a great way to get ahead of your competition and learn more about the industry.
Bartending schools offer classes that teach you how to mix drinks, make your recipes, and even help you learn about the culture of bartending. Some schools also teach their students about the history of bartending.
The best part about attending these courses? They’re free! Not only that, but they’ll give you an advantage over other candidates who haven’t attended any coursework at all.
Learn Mixology
Learn Mixology. The art of mixology is the foundation on which all bartenders begin their careers. It’s about understanding the ingredients and how to mix them, but also learning what works best together and why.
Mixology is a science, but it’s also an art form. It goes beyond making drinks; it’s about bringing people together with drinks that fit their tastes and preferences. If you can find a way to make your customers feel at home in your bar, they’ll keep coming back again and again!
Build Up Your Skill Set
Learn to make drinks well. This is a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s the foundation of all bartending skills. If you don’t know how to make a drink, then you won’t be able to sell it or use it as a selling point for bar patrons.
Learn how to make them quickly. You may think that slow service is good service but not in bars! When people are out having drinks with friends or coworkers.
They want their drink fast so they can enjoy themselves and have many more rounds before closing time rolls around at the last call (usually around 2 AM).
So practice making drinks until your hands move like lightning and your technique is flawless practicing ahead of time will save you from disastrous mistakes during stressful real-world situations when customers are watching your every move.
Learn how to do so with flair and style…and confidence. Finally, learn how to do this with care: Your job as a bartender isn’t just about making people happy by pouring them tasty beverages; it also involves knowing when someone needs help outside your usual duties as a bartender;
Being able to recognize when you need backup from other staff members (or even calling 911), and being prepared for any emergency that might arise while working behind the bar. Finally still and most importantly learn how attention to detail: In addition
Get The Right Attitude
You have to develop the right attitude, which can be summed up in three words: friendly, outgoing, and team-oriented.
Bartenders are expected to be approachable, patient, and a good listeners. You also need to be flexible enough to handle all kinds of situations that come your way during working hours.
You should never lose your cool or let stress get the best of you if there’s an angry customer or a rowdy group who wants to party all night long. The last thing you want is for someone else’s bad behavior to reflect poorly on your character as well as your establishment’s reputation!
Study Up On Nightclub And Bar Trends
This is a great way to keep up with what’s popular, and also be aware of the things that aren’t. You can then use this information to make sure you’re doing things right, and if not, figure out how you can adapt it so it will be.
For example: If you know that your customers are requesting more berry-flavored drinks than they used to, then think about adding some berries into some of your cocktails!
Maybe even throw in some raspberry liqueur or grenadine syrup (they are both made from raspberries) and see how they go over with customers!
This is also a good time for bartenders to try new techniques – like using fresh strawberries instead using strawberries puree which is much easier/faster/cheaper.
Be A Leader, Not Just A Bartender
Your job as a bartender is not just to mix drinks and dole-out shots. You’re the face of the bar, and your actions will either pay off for you or cost you your career. Be a leader, not just a bartender.
Bartenders are often some of the first people that customers meet when they walk into their local watering hole.
They’re the ones who take orders from them, serve them drinks and food, interact with them throughout their stay at the bar and make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
If you want to become one of these go-to bartenders who customers know by name and even better love talking about after leaving their establishment (and who wouldn’t want that?), then here are four ways you can set yourself up for success:
You Can Get Your Dream Bartending Job With The Right Mix Of Experience And Personality
Bartending is a profession that requires a certain type of personality. If you’re the kind of person who likes to work alone and in their own time, bartending may not be the right choice for you.
You’ll be required to work closely with other people, so you must understand how your actions affect those around you.
If you do enjoy being around others during work and have no trouble depending on them, then becoming a bartender could be perfect for you! To land your dream job as a bartender, here are some things that will help:
Passionate about bartending: This is by far one of the most important factors when trying to get hired at any bar or restaurant.
Having this passion allows employers and managers to know what type of skillset they can expect from an employee who truly loves their job and doesn’t just see it as another source of income or something temporary until something better comes along (which happens all too often).
The best part about this passion? It’s contagious! Once customers come into contact with someone who truly loves what they do, they’ll want more from every interaction; thus creating return visits 🙂
Conclusion
Now you know how to land your dream job as a bartender. It’s up to you to make it happen. Put in the work, be yourself, and use these tips to stand out from the crowd.
