Drinknation Forums

[Indy]

As someone who has only recently developed an interest in making drinks, I've considered over the last couple of days actually going to a bar and asking them to let me "apprentice" there. My idea is for them to let me work behind the bar doing whatever needs to be done (this doesn't mean one hour at the bar and seven washing dishes in the kitchen; it means mixing and pouring drinks).

Obviously, an arrangement like this means I'd be working for free (not even tips!), purely to gain experience in making these cocktails. Already, though, I've run into some problems:

1) My city is not exactly upscale; we have a few "cosmopolitan" bars and nightspots, but most of them are real shit-kicker watering holes. I expect most of my time would be spent opening beers, not mixing martinis.

2) I contacted one bar that was advertising for a bartender, and explained my proposal. The bar lady told me to come back during the day. I did the next day, and the bar lady told me the owner had "just stepped out the back door" (what a coincidence!), and that they didn't have any openings anyway (but if I'd like to fill out an application...). I really, really don't like getting the runaround, so I said goodbye to that place, and braced myself for the possibility that this will happen many more times.

3) I'm not entirely sure ANY bar (or restaurant containing a bar, like Applebee's or Olive Garden) is going to go for this kind of proposal. A big place might be too concerned about the liability (and/or the peculiarity of the arrangement), and a mom-and-pop, hole-in-the-wall place isn't likely to give me the kind of experience I need.

4) I'm not sure I want to trek to EVERY single bar, pub, club and restaurant in town just to find ONE that's going to let me do this. I'm wondering if it would be worth my while to put an ad in the paper under "employment wanted", then let any interested parties come to ME.

Thoughts?

[great libations]

where @ in indy do ya live? contact me and if you aren't too far we may be able to help one another.

great libations
auditweasel@charter.net

[Indy]

Evansville. You?

[SwizzleStick]

I would imagine your proposal would be hard to get any takers. Too much liability and no benefit for the owner. They only pay $2.15 - $6/hr in most cases anyway.

Try simply applying as a hard working bar-back.

[turbosaleen]