Not only do today's bartenders have to remember which brands of which spirits go in which cocktail, but now there's a dash of this house-made tincture, two dashes of that obscure bitters and a rinse of some inscrutable liqueur.
Some people wonder how many drinks a bartender needs to learn to make when they learn this profession. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) has an official list of 77 drinks. Those drinks are seen as the true drink selection that can be requested at a bar.
In fact, most bartenders do NOT know all drinks. Instead, they know what's on the menu in the bar that they work in as well as some of the more popular drinks. Learning every single drink would be a waste of time for most bartenders. Most bars have a set menu and most customers only order popular drinks.
If there is one thing a successful bartender needs, it's a good memory. They strengthen short-term memory by recalling drink orders, remembering the ingredients to specific drinks or cocktails, or the names of trending craft beers. Bartender's sharpen long-term memory when they remember regulars and greet them by name.
You often have to work nights and weekends
Because many others have an opposite schedule, working in bartending can mean you don't have the same free time as others in your family or friend group. Some bartenders also have to work on holidays, which might not work for your needs.
It is a position that calls for a specific set of abilities, such as the capacity to mix cocktails, pour shots, and serve beer. Bartending can be difficult and stressful, despite what some people may believe.
Bartending is high pressure work in many cases. If you work in a busy restaurant or fast-paced bar, you may face constant stress to get drinks mixed and delivered quickly to patrons. Additionally, bartenders must often ask younger customers to show identification to prove they are of legal drinking age.
The hardest part of this job is that no matter whether you are having a bad day, or going through something, whenever you sign in to start work, you have to face it, and you have to face it from the very first day. All you have to focus on is looking after the customers to make them happy.
They got the drink slingers' opinions on everything from customers' orders to bar manners, and while some results aren't surprising, others might have you rethinking your cocktail of choice. Lest you think you were just being paranoid, 81 percent of bartenders will change their opinion of you based on your drink order.
Becoming a bartender isn't an easy road. When you first start out, you'll have to be humble. Beginning as a barback and learning from a mentor are two things you can do that require no experience. If you're willing to learn and work hard, you'll see your dream come true more quickly.
1. Thou shalt never get so drunk that you can't count the money. Bartenders are often encouraged to drink a little during their shift, whether because a regular wants to buy them a shot or the staff needs a morale booster.
Less Pressure
There can be a lot of pressure on bartending. You're expected to create regulars, chit chat all day long, and hold down the fort should there be any issues. Sometimes serving can be a bit less emotionally taxing.
Several bartenders mentioned that they remembered many drinks in their repertoire basically as riffs on another—instead of remembering abstract formulas, they master a few common drinks and then add and subtract ingredients to those to remember others.
Being social, outgoing, and friendly will help a bartender succeed, sell more drinks, and keep customers happy. Keep in mind that being friendly and outgoing are very important; the underlying job of a bartender is to sell drinks.
Because we expend most of our social energy at work, bartenders often need quiet time on our days off. This can be hard when you're dating a new person. They often expect you to be the fun-loving, energetic bartender personality that they first met, and it can be disappointing when your off-duty vibe is much different.
The best bartenders are the ones that take good care of their appearance. This is the main reason why it is so important for everyone to make sure that they look their best. People in bartending should make sure that their appearance is impeccable.
Financial Benefits: Bartending can be a lucrative part-time job, especially on the weekends when bars are busiest. Bartenders typically earn an hourly wage, plus tips, making it a great way to supplement your regular income.
You have to not only be courteous to customers; you also have to offer them some courtesy from time to time. Especially to those who are regulars at the bar. This is an important part of the golden rule. When we talk about courtesy, we refer to a drink or liquor.
Everything from why you shake, when you muddle, to the practicalities of the job, and what we call the five 'P's of world class service: pride, passion, preparation, professionalism and presentation.