How to Negotiate a Bartender's Salary
A bartender is necessary for any large social gathering that requires alcohol. If you own a restaurant, club or bar then you will also need many bartenders and waitresses. Negotiate up front or else you may end up paying big money to have your drinks served.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Begin with the basics. What you pay your bartender depends greatly on several variables. Location, type of establishment, number of patrons, hours and responsibilities are some of the things you have to take into consideration before you begin your negotiation. For example, bartenders in New York are going to make more than ones in Iowa.
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Agree on how you will pay the bartender's salary. You can pay him by the drink (more common at cocktail parties) or by the hour (for large permanent establishments). Most staff bartenders get at least minimum wage plus tips. If you have multiple bartenders, negotiate how they will split the tips.
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Look at how much experience she has. You will have to pay more for a more experienced bartender, but it is worth it. Having someone that knows how to handle bartending responsibilities makes everything run smoother. Nothing is more embarrassing than having to explain how to make a drink to a bartender.
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Decide on what benefits you will offer. Bartenders rarely get health insurance from their employers, but do get other things. If you want to keep your bartender full-time, be prepared to offer something better than an after-shift drink.
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