Comments on: How to Get a Job as a Bartender

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school 2 weeks before i turned 21 and had a job at a Restaurant on my 21st b-day. I started in Banquets, like weddings, Christmas parties, company functions, stuff like that. The thing about Bartending School is that it gets you acquainted with handling bottles with pour spouts, soda guns, ice bin, speed rack, general Bar knowledge. You also learn a fair amount of drink recipes through flash card and word association memorizing. I still use the word association to this day.

But that is the extent of it, I'm very glad I did go to a 2 week class, But I truly learned how to tend bar on the job. After I got faster and got experience with the registers and making change I moved to the main bar on weekends where the money is at. After a couple of years I started getting job offers from customers and employees from other bars and clubs. I started working at a very hi

on 9/3/2008 I went to Bartenders school a few weeks before I turned 21 and had a job at a local fancy restaurant starting in banquets and working my way up to the main bar on weekends. As my speed and knowledge grew, began getting numerous job offers through customers and employees working at other places. Point being, if you're good and dependable, you will be noticed. After 2 years I was in a very high volume sports bar working fri. & sat. nights taking home $250 to $300 a night. With job offers to go to Maui, Vegas, and one to Denmark which I did take and had a blast for about 6 months till I got homesick. All in all, study your drinks, always be honest in the register, don't give away drinks unless approved by your boss, and date all the waitresses you can, cause it don't get much better than that!

on 3/10/2008 If someone should not mention bartending school on their resume then why even go? I agree, it takes 1% ability and 99% personality so with that in mind, save your $400 dollars and get out there and make it happen.

on 3/6/2008 Bartending schools can work but lots are scams. Do your research and ask for references. If they can't or won't provide them then get out of dodge.

The first comment is spot on. Getting to know people "in the business," even just regular customers, can greatly increase your chances at getting a bartending job.

If your looking for a job but don't have experience visit http://getabartendingjob.com and sign up for my free newsletter.

I have over 14 years experience as a bartender and manager and will help you get that crucial first job. The newsletter is absolutely free and full of great content. Check out the Break into the Business Program while your there.

Good Luck ;)
Brian Williams

on 3/6/2008 Some bartending schools are good but some are also just out to get your dough. Do some research and ask for references.

The first comment is spot on. Getting to know people in the bartending industry, even customers, can greatly enhance your chances if you have no experience.

For more info on getting bartending jobs with no experience sign up for my free newsletter at http://getabartendingjob.com. While you're there check out the program, it's guaranteed to get you a job in 30 days!

Good Luck,
Brian Williams

on 1/24/2006 I read these tips a few months ago, and now I'm a barback. If you have no bartending experience, then you either apply to be a barback at a bar, or you can work your way up to bartending at a restaurant.

Here are my additional tips:

Goal: Speak with the manager in person.

Option #1: You're already at the bar you want to work for. Flirt with your bartender. Ask them if they enjoy working there. If yes, ask them if they're hiring, what the manager's first name is, and how to reach them appropriately.

Option #2: Call the bar, ask for their business hours, and ask when the manager is most likely there. Your best shot is to go to the bar in the afternoon (or whenever they open), since that's when they're the least busy.

Be persistent, treat everyone you meet like your best friend, and dress up a little (no jeans).

on 12/15/2005 Bartending jobs outnumber barback jobs like 20-1. Half of the bartenders here in L.A. went to bartending school, but they won't admit it.

I went to bartending school in L.A. and it worked for me big time. Within a week I had my first job with a caterer. After that a sports bar, and now a local bar in Hollywood. I make good money.
If I were to have taken the advice of bartenders I spoke with, I'd still be thinking about bartending or I'd be working as a barback. I tried that too and barback jobs are harder to find than bartender jobs!
The location of the nearest school to you may not be the best one, so look around. Call them up. If they don't answer all of your questions over the phone hang up and call another school

Look for a school that offers a free trial class (do a search in Craigslist), or at least allows you to watch a class in action. Bartending Schools are what you make of them!!

on 11/22/2005 I got my first bartending job at a local gentleman's club. I had no experience but plenty of personality. I was hired on the spot because people do leave a lot to get out of the environment. You can make great money and get a lot of experience because customers main focus isn't the drinks. And yes, it can be done with clothing on.

on 11/22/2005 I used to be a F&B manager as well as a bar school instructor. I can tell you that for larger, more respectable establishments - education looks brighter than experience. I would much rather train a new bartender to do as I ask, rather than untrain someones bad habits (e.g. scooping the glass in the ice bin, or even worse - you should be asked to use a jigger)! But some schools are a joke. Seriously, if they can train you in 2 weeks, why can't I? A 6 or 8+ week bar school will give you a better understanding of how everything is done by the book. But the fact remains, that management is usually stretched very thin. You must learn that there is no establishment that does everything by the book. This means learning the fine art of improvising.
1) Start with a place you would like to work and quiz the bartender - we always like to talk about ourselves. Find out how he or she got started and ask about the schools. Be ready for some laughs.
2) Add some (but not too much) experience - fine dining is always a plus - wine knowledge is usually lacking and is an easy in if you are willing to learn.
3) Go in with the attitude that you are willing to work your way up if need be - most bartenders start out as barbacks - and yes, I have even started females as barbacks, though rarely.
4) Be ready to work any shift! In this business you are guaranteed to work every weekend and every holiday. Don't worry, you'll get front row seats to every freak show in town!
5) Anyone can do this job, so why should I hire you? Sell yourself - "No, I don't have 10 years of experience - I also don't have 10 years of bad habits, you can train me to do it exactly the way you want it done"
6) Lastly - remember that your reputation is the only thing you have in this business and it will follow you everywhere you go! Honest bartenders are a dying breed. Don't fool anyone; least of all yourself!

on 11/22/2005 You're better off starting as a waitress and working your way up. Some places will train you. I never went to bartending school - don't go - it's a waste of time and not necessary. I applied at a bar, and they trained me. Smile, dress nice, and show up on time; you'll catch on quick once you get the hang of it. Either you will, or you're just not cut out for it. It can be stressful at times, so you need to be able to multi-task and be fast, yet accurate. That's all!