Drinknation Forums

girlbartender18 · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2003 3:52 pm

hi! im an 18 year old college girl, and ive always been interested in bartending, so im going to go to bartending school, and bartend my way through college. i should be working at a nice hotel or restaurant when i get out (ive got friends in the bartending business who will help me out) anybody have any tips for getting my bartending career off to a good start? Razz

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:40 am

Your attending bar tending school in texas? Mind if I ask which school. I was thinking about becoming a bar tender but never knew what anything about the school or which is better.

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:42 am

I must really remember to sign in before posting

Guest · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 2:25 am

Hey I'm bartending my way through school too. I've been doing this a while so I definitely have some advice! The people in this biz are jerks. Your bosses will try to molest you. Half the time the money sucks. On a brighter note though, be careful with the money you make, since it's all cash, it tends to disappear quickly! When you're having a bad day with a customer, co-worker, or boss, just try to remember that this is only a job, not a career.
Good Luck!
Santa

Pharoh · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:30 pm

PHAROH SPEAKS...

I've bartended on and off for about 6 years. I'm in the Air Force now and do it as a part time hobby. Remember, bartending, though a lucrative business, is all about having a good time and encouraging others to have a good time. Create your own signature drinks, flirt your ass off, get that money. Make yourself known as best you can. Don't just blend in as another employee. The bar is your home. Always upsell. Don't ask them what kind of vodka or rum they want. Just think of the drink they want, and think of what liquors will make it taste as good as possible. If someone wants a Vodka Cranberry, don't use house crap. Make it with Armadale or Grey Goose, or a Flavored Stoli. Let them see you picked a good brand. I'd tell more, but I gotta get ready to go to work myself. Good Luck!

Monkey Justice · Chief Big Monkey Joined: 23 May 2003 Posts: 136

Wise words from the Pharoh Wink

Tim · Guest

I'd say your'e already on the right start by going to ANY bartending school. You just have to find a way "IN" to get behind a bar. My start was lying to a potential employer in Europe and I told him I knew EVERYTHING on bartending and he let me in for a month before he fired me. By that point, I knew alot and moved on to the next place, saying I bartended for a month somewhere and then THEY hired me...by THAT point I knew some stuff and could go. Do whatever you have to do if you know you'd be a great bartender. Now, that's all I'm doing and I make hundred of dollars a nite doing it at various clubs, making more than most professions. I'm glad I lied! I'd recommend trying to "get to know" someone that works somewhere, because an IN is BIG in the bartending scene. Try to work at a small ghetto bar so you can be bored and have time to experiment with liquor.

holly · Monkey-in-training Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

I think the most important piece of advice to give a new bar attendant is to take pride in presentation. There is nothing worse than asking for a drink from a shabby bar attendant who doesn't give a damn about your night. You will gain a lot of respect (not to mention good tips) from customers and management if you put effort into your work. Good customer service is fundamental to bar work. Try to remember the customers' orders if they are drinking for a while. They will really appreciate it. Always make sure your bar is spotless and stocked. Most importantly, have fun! Even if your friends are out on the town totally anilated, don't feel down... Your making money, they're wasting it, and you'll feel fine the next day.