About Bartenders

Bartenders provide the image of the bar in addition to the drinks offered therein. From casual to professional, friendly to aloof, there are many expectations for bartenders.

Bartending School

While it is not technically required to attend bartending school, some states do require certification before being permitted to serve drinks. Schools will vary on their exact curriculum, so prospective students should be certain their school teaches what they want to learn before attending. Most schools will teach some recipes, but will largely focus on mixing techniques, food safety, managing multiple customers and serving laws appropriate to the area.

Mixology

A good bartender should be knowledgeable about many kinds of drinks. While it's very unlikely for any bartender to be able to make any drink on demand (much as no chef would be expected to make any dish without being provided with a recipe or at least a definition) various techniques and most popular recipes should be second nature. Mixed drinks vary on their ingredients, mixing styles and difficulty, so a good bartender should be prepared for various orders.

Bartending As Performance Art

It has become popular in recent years for bartenders to provide entertainment in making drinks, pouring and shaking and serving in creative ways. This is called "flair bartending," and has become an international sport. There are many competitions for flair bartending worldwide, but most people are likely to see it in a club rather than at a competition. Flipping bottles and shakers, close-up magic and juggling are some methods that are used.

Bartending Image

The bartender is often the "face" of the bar. In the United States, there is an expectation of what a bartender should be. Many people believe in the cultural image of the friendly barkeep, providing an ear in addition to a glass. A good bartender should have a good memory for regulars, in many cases being able to provide "the usual" without having to ask what it is. This will, of course, vary from bar to bar: some restaurants prefer to provide drinks to the customers via the wait staff, removing the bartender from the customer interaction.

Bartending in Popular Culture

"Cheers" provides the most iconic representation of a bartender in American pop culture. The bar (also called Cheers) has as its proprietor the friendly neighborhood bartender Sam, the type who takes an interest in his customers. A rather seedier variant appeared in Moe's Tavern from "The Simpsons," providing a darker counterpoint to the image of bartending as a whole. Flair bartenders are generally represented in film rather than television: "Coyote Ugly" and "Cocktail" both present the artful entertainment aspect rather than the friendly tavern.