I think the title is pretty self explanatory. I'm looking to get into bartending and need some advice on how to do it. Any help at all would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
just get a job in a bar, you learn as you go it'll take some time to find a bar willing to train you without any experience, but you'll find one and then just go from there it's simple
It's better to probably complete one of those training programs you see advertised in newspapers. But you need to be 21 1st! -Josh
^it depends entirely on the state. some places will let you tend bar when you're 19. some places will only allow someone over 18 but under 21 to take the drinks to a table, waiting at a restaraunt, but not making the drinks.
It depends on where you are and where you want to work. I'm in Ontario so I had to get my smart serve(which is pretty much pointless), but I now work at a bar inside a restaurant, not my ideal place, but it'll do. If you're looking for a upper place, like a hotel or whatever, it'd probably be good to look into a class if you don't know all the general specs of tending. If you're into the pub environment, it's best to get a handle for the older fashion drinks rather than new spiffy ones. -also a good technique will help you here. If you are into the clubs, a class would probably be good for speed and slight flare, as well as knowing higher end, spiffy drinks normal people wouldn't buy. Generally, to get into it's not hard if you know your stuff, or people(in which case, you just have to fuck well j/k...kind of). I'd work the most on popular drinks and getting a good pace, it's a very fast paced job, especially if you want tips. Also I'd try to get into a hotel or some place that also does banquet things.
I'm thinking about going into bartending as well and am planning to visit a school soon. I've heard that you either have to know someone or work your way up (which sounds so silly to me) in a restaurant, which can take 2 years or more.
If you want to be a good bartender it's alot harder than showing up at a bar and hoping they teach you. I've been bartending for about five years and I never stop learning. I started by going to Premium Pour bartending school, in Eugene, OR. It was a great experience. If you don't want to go that route, the easiest way to do it is to figure out what drinks and shots are really popular in your area. For example, people in Wisco drink alot of Old Fashion's, but almost no one else drinks them. Study and learn all the recipes you need, because that's the biggest thing that holds people up when they're bartending it trying to find what goes in a drink. Make sure you become familiar with what types of liquor you sell, what's considered top shelf etc. If you want any advice, lemme know!
i took a class at a bartending school in toronto, but i ended up just getting a job at a bar where i still had to work my way up in order to tend i basically didn’t need to take the class at all because you learn as you go, it was a waste of money for me nothing i learned in class helped me in the real life, everything they taught m at school was pointless in actuality and a lot of bartenders I’ve worked with have told me the same thing i’ve worked in lots of different bars, everything from a 5 star restaurant bar, to a dive bar, sports bar and a fast paced night club knowing what you sell is important, know your alcohol
Alot of bartending schools are a waste of time, or so I've heard. The one I went to was awesome, I'm glad I did it. But plenty of people don't go to em. Learning recipes, knowing alcohol and having a personality are most important. Cause having a personality can get you out of most problems when you're bartending ;-)
Only in the REALLY good places, which only want top quality tenders, but generally, it's not THAT hard to get a job if you know your stuff. I mean look at me, I didn't take a fucking class, I got my smart serve (qualification in Ont. ) and got a job like that.
If you're a cute girl it's waaaaaaaaaaaay easier to get a bartending job than if you're a guy. At least around here. And don't tell me it's not true cause I've had alot of bar owners tell me so themselves.
I was a waitress for 2 years at a popular chain restaurant. I guess I was fairly close to being one of the next ones asked to work the bar, but the turnover was so low, it seemed hopeless. I'd rather not work at a hole in the wall... in the area I live, these places rarely have bouncers and often have fights. And, I need to make as much money as possible because I plan to go to school as well. I have heard from quite a few people that going to school is a waste of time and money, so perhaps I'll put in a few applications and decide from there if I don't get calls. I'd rather get into the school and get going than sit at home by the phone hoping someone will call while the bills are piling up.
Yeah, I hate that though. It's probably why they hired me in the first place, but then noticed I was actually know my shit because they let me close up now, which they "don't" let new people do. It's for bartending, right? Is it with a bartending school or a college? To be honest, it's pretty much a waste from a bartending school. Some colleges actually have really good programs that also include psychology and shit which WILL be useful. I didn't go to a college, but a friend of mine, as well as my dad(but that was a LONG time ago ) and they both said they used most of the stuff they learned... and I didn't really get anything out of the school. I'm not saying don't do it though, it might help you. Good luck anyway :cheers2:
