While many an amateur mixologist knows how to make an appealing drink, it requires a lot more knowledge and skill to become a professional bartender. Bartenders must know how to prepare a wide range of drink recipes— and the appropriate equipment to make them— and mix drinks quickly without waste. They serve drinks directly to customers, and work with wait staff and kitchen crews, often in busy conditions, to ensure that customers receive prompt, accurate service. Bartenders prepare garnishes for drinks, keep the bar stocked with supplies, and serve food to customers who sit at the bar. In addition to ensuring that customers are of legal drinking age, they converse with customers, and when necessary, they manage patrons’ unruly behavior. Bartenders also process payments from customers. Most bartenders work at restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels. Full- and part-time schedules are both common, as is working late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Most bartenders learn their skills on the job, often starting as bartender helpers or wait staff. No formal education is required, although upscale establishments may prefer candidates with bartending experience or classes. Most states require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years old.
What they do:
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
On the job, you would:
Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
Collect money for drinks served.
Balance cash receipts.
Business
customer service
sales and marketing
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady
Memory
remember words, numbers, pictures, or steps
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Self Control
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Social Orientation
You might use software like this on the job:
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Point of sale POS software
Focus point of sale POS software
Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
Internet browser software
Web browser software
high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.