Professional bartending is a fast-paced, rewarding career with a unique set of skill requirements and risks. When considering this as a career choice for yourself, be sure to first research whether your area has a large enough demand for bartenders.
You will also need to evaluate your experience level, and determine whether you will need further bartending training to be successful. Make sure you know the risks and benefits of the profession as well, before either looking for a bartending job, if you have the experience, or deciding to attend a bartending school in your area.
There are different schools of thought as to what qualifies a good barkeep. Some say that when bartending professionally, the most important qualification is the individual’s social skill set. Others suggest that bartenders are at their best if they have a friendly yet humorous and sometimes flirtatious attitude towards their patrons. After all drink tends to make folk, more sociable and they often look to the bartender to share in conversation and joke around with them. Psychologically, a customer who thinks that the bartender is one of them will typically tip far more generously than to one that is seen as not joining in with their banter. Since your income as a bartender heavily depends on the tips given by customers, it is important for you to develop a good rapport with your customers.
Having a good memory is another important qualification of being a bartender. A good barmen or barmaid will generally be able to remember customer orders without having to write everything down. In addition, they will be able to mix the vast majority of drinks without having to resort to a mixed drinks recipe book. The ability to instantly recall the steps and ingredients required to make any drink the customer orders is the sign of a successful bartender.
If you are a female bartender, then walking the fine line between friendly and over friendly can be enormous. While it is important to have that unique personality many experienced bartenders are known for, being too flirtatious with men who have been drinking can be very dangerous. Due to the late hours when bars close, the poor lighting in most parking lots, and the state of mind of many of the patrons, it is often recommended that bar employees do not walk alone to their vehicles. Many bar managers and owners make it their policy to escort barmaids to their vehicles.
It is also important to keep an eye on customers while they are in the establishment. Bartenders need to keep mental notes on how many drinks each patron has had, as well as any suspicious behavior. Responsible, professional bartending may also mean having to refuse alcohol to an already intoxicated customer, or perhaps even asking a customer to leave the premises if they start to become aggressive.
It is often said that the biggest risk for a bartender is becoming an alcoholic. Being around alcohol so often can be too tempting for some. If you can avoid being sucked into that trap, you will likely enjoy bartending as a career. The people you will meet will be unique, with many stories they are just dying to share. You will see friendships grow with co-workers, and enjoy a full time income while only working part time hours. Best of all, professional bartending is certainly nothing like just another day at the office.