- A bartender is someone who serves drinks to customers behind the bar in a restaurant, pub, bar or tavern. The drinks served are usually alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and cocktails, but non-alcoholic beverages such as soda and water are also served. A bartender is expected to know the recipes of hundreds of mixed drinks and be able to mix them properly, or correctly. A bartender also tends to the bar by making sure all the alcohol, garnishes and glassware is maintained and ready to serve. She may own the bar outright or be an employee of the establishment. In regions where tipping is customary, many bartenders depend on tips to make up the majority of their income.
- A bartender arrives to work a few hours before the bar or restaurant opens to organize the glassware, garnishes and alcohol. He makes sure that a variety of alcohol and juices are in stock and that all of the serving dishes and glasses are readily available. He also spends a few minutes stocking the bar with garnishes such as maraschino cherries, martini olives and slices of lemon and lime. Most of the time the bartender must cut the lemons and limes into slivers and store them someplace where they can be quickly accessed during his workshift. Once everything has been organized, the bartender opens the bar and gets ready to serve the customers. The rest of the work day is spent taking orders from customers and serving drinks in a timely and organized matter. A bartender must also take payment from customers or waitresses and make change. At the culmination of his shift, the bartender must sweep the countertop and reorganize all of the glassware and alcohol before going home.
- A bartender also has many unofficial duties during the work day. Many bar patrons turn to bartenders when they need a sympathetic ear or someone to talk to. Bartenders often befriend many of their regular customers and get to know them on a more personal level. They also help to provide a steady amount of clientele by remembering customers' favorite drinks and recommending popular drinks for the local nightlife. Moreover, many bartenders even mix their own custom creations and include these new drinks in the menu of the bar.
