So you have decided that mixing drinks like Tom Cruise, in the movie: Cocktails, is something you would like to do as a career? As part of the food and beverage industry, bartending is an occupation that offers unique locales, and environments to work in and allows you to meet many different kinds of people. The money made bartending, the bulk of which is earned through customer tips: can be quite good for top-notch bartenders. Now that you know what you want to do, how do you get started?
You don't need a college degree or a bartending license to be a bartender. You must be of legal drinking age to serve alcoholic beverages though. Some areas may also require you to obtain a sellers/servers certificate from a course that is approved by the liquor control board. You can find contact information for the local government offices in your specific area and inquire as to whether you will need to obtain this certification. More and more employers too, are having their employees take a certified alcohol-servers course, even if not required by local statutes. Doing so lowers the costs of insurance for the employer. These classes are short, and inexpensive, (around $19.95) and teach you how to spot problems early when serving alcoholic beverages, thus preventing under-age people or customer's who have already had enough, from being served alcohol.
You can educate yourself on mixology: the science of mixing drinks: by purchasing books, and DVD's, or by taking courses offered by bartending schools. A reputable bartender's school can be an excellent resource to learn not only what liquors and mixers go into drinks, but you will have a chance to work with the glassware, and pour-n-store containers that you will be using in your chosen career. You will also gain valuable skills on how to interact with customers which you will need to be successful in this field. Many of these courses are now offered online so that you can take them when your schedule permits and at your own pace. Always check out any school with the BBB, Better Business Bureau, before sending any money, to ensure that the school you are considering is an accredited institution.
The very best training of course, is on- the- job training. When you first start out, consider taking a position as a bar-backup. You would be responsible for keeping the beer stocked, ice tubs filled, and bringing clean glasses from the dishwashers, but you will also be able to watch the bartenders in action and learn quite a bit from those who have been at this for awhile. When things get busy you might move up to pouring drafts, then maybe mixing a drink or two. Before you know it, you will have gained invaluable experience that will enable you to earn a good living for a long time to come.
There are some things to keep in mind when considering becoming a bartender. Although tending bar is often an exciting place to work, with the nightlife various personalities, and party atmosphere, there are some drawbacks that can make bartending a stressful occupation at times. If you aren't an out-going person, bartending probably isn't the right career choice for you. This is because the bulk of your job will be interacting with customers. The more comfortable and confident you are in your interactions with them, the more successful you will be in filling your tips jar and earning the amount of money you desire as a bartender. You will have to deal with drunks, under-age drinkers, lousy tippers, and maybe even break up a fight or two. You will be handling money, so a good grasp of math is beneficial. Bartending is a fast-paced environment that requires heavy lifting and long hours standing on your feet. You will need to do all of this while maintaining a pleasant outlook towards your customers. Expect to work long hours, weekends, and holidays.
On the plus- side of things, once you have earned your stripes, and have a few years of experience under your belt, you can work almost anywhere. Not only can you choose exotic locations, perhaps you will work on your tan while serving drinks to patrons of your 'floating bar' in some tropical paradise. You can also choose from different environments, as jobs for bartenders can be found in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and even with catering companies that 'hire out' for it's bartending staff.
The bartending industry looks promising with an expected growth of nearly 20% over the next 5 years. This means that there will be plenty of jobs, and opportunities to make a good amount of money for those looking to get into the bartending field Congratulations on your choice of a very rewarding career in bartending!