Bartenders will always give the image of a bar in additions to the drinks that are offered there. From professional to casual, aloof to friendly, there are various expectations from the bartenders. In most of the countries, it is necessary to attend a bartending school, some states will need a certification before you are permitted to serve drinks. The bartending schools will teach you recipes, but they will mostly focus on mixing techniques, food safety and managing a huge crowd. Learning how to be a bartender is fun and easy.
In recent years, it has become popular for bartenders to entertain the customers while making drinks, shaking, serving and pouring drinks in certain way. However, people still perceive the image of bartending as friendly barkeep. A good bartender is someone who has a good memory about the regulars, and providing them with the drinks without them asking for it. Learning how to be a bartender is fun and here are some simple steps on how to be a bartender.
- To be a bartender you will need a lot of confidence and you will have to show it as well. In the typical bar setting, a bartender is the one who will be controlling and setting the standards. The customers and waitresses will look at the bartender for running everything smoothly and making all the customers feel at home.
- Always remember that you as the bartender must always dress according to the environment. You can be a bartender in any kind of setting; if you are in a country hat then you can wear a cowboy hat or wear a Ritz-Carlton tux. However, whatever you wear, just make sure that you always have clean overalls and great appearance all the times. Always remember that first impressions are very essential.
- Have a good attitude and be friendly to all the customers. A bartender must mingle with all the people who appear at his or her bar. The bartender is responsible for setting the tone and creating a friendly and exciting environment.
- You must always try to give good service and treat all your customers with respect even if they are drunk. The other people present at your bar will be listening and watching, so it is very important that you maintain your cool. A good bartender will be always rational and calm.
- Remember to set up the bar and have plenty of stock as back up, because you don’t want to run out on drinks. If there is no proper preparation then the bar will not run smoothly and might end up being chaotic. This will make you look very unprofessional and your customers might judge you by this.
- Make sure that your bar is clean all the times. This will include emptying all the ashtrays, placing a napkin under the drinks, wiping sticky stuff off the table and picking up trash from the bar floor. Always use clean towels for wiping the bar and get rid of all the empty glasses and beer bottles.
- The most important thing to be a good bartender is knowing your drinks inside out. A professional bartender will never give his or her customer a ‘duh’ look when they ask for a particular drink. Sometimes customers will order a bizarre drink, but you should have it memorized. This part will help you in making or breaking your tip.
- Last but not the least; you must never drink while at work. If you like alcohol then it can be a little difficult to keep your hands of the drinks, but you will have to do it or it will make you look unprofessional. If you are drunk most of the times then you might get fired.
Tips and Warnings:
- Always learn your drinks, the less time you spend in thinking the faster you will be. You will have to memorize the prices and the combination of the prices as well.
- Make sure that you always look attractive. Whether its personality, looks or anything else you will want your customers to come back over and over again.
- When you start your career as a bartender, then you will be willing to start from the bottom. Some places can be way too competitive and you will have to work in crappy shifts at first.
- Always remember that you will have to be on you feet most of the times. If you happen to work in a restaurant, which turns into a nightclub then you can work from dinner to 5am.
- Once you become a bartender, you will have very little time to meet your friends outside work. So, you must be prepared to meet your friends when they come to your pub. Always keep in mind that tips will be divided and pooled by different methods.
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