How to Get a Bartending Job

Co-authored by Mimi Perryman

Last Updated: January 17, 2023

Bartending jobs require skill, personality, and the endurance to keep working til the lights go out - not always an easy task. Bartending jobs are highly coveted, so before you apply, make sure you've mastered the basic skills and memorized the popular drinks. Read on to learn how to land a fun job as a bartender.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Hone Your Skills

1
Learn how to make drinks. In order to make drinks that look and taste like they were made by a professional, you'll need to learn basic bartending skills beyond just pouring and mixing. Check out online tutorials with information on the following techniques, then practice them until you have them memorized.^{[1]
X
Research source} Here are some basics you should know before you start looking for a bartending job:
- Shaking. This involves using a cocktail shaker to mix and chill drinks.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Straining. Cocktail shakers have built-in strainers, which you use to strain the ice from the liquid.
- Stirring. There's a proper way to do this to ensure the drink doesn't get watered down.
- Muddling. This involves using a muddler to press the flavor from fresh ingredients.
- Blending. You'll need a blender to make drinks like blended margaritas.
2
Memorize the classics. Start building your knowledge of different types of alcohol and learning how to make the most popular drinks. To a certain extent, the type of drinks you'll need to know how to make depends on the bar where you work; a high-end urban bar might focus on specialty martinis, while a college bar might serve a lot of Irish car bombs. Still, no matter where you work, you'll need the most popular standards in your repertoire. Learn how to make the following:
- Basic mixed drinks like a whiskey soda, a greyhound, orange juice and vodka, Jack and coke, gin and tonic, and so on.
- Other highballs like a bloody Mary, dark and stormy, fuzzy navel, melon ball, and Alabama slammer.
- Lowballs such as a White Russian, a godfather, and a peppermint patty.
- Martinis, Manhattans, and Rob Roys.
- Tropical drinks like pina coladas, daiquiris, margaritas and hurricanes.
- Shots like a lemon drop, slippery nipple, Jäger bomb or an orgasm.
- Other cocktails like a mimosa, a mint julep, a mojito, or an Irish coffee.
Advertisement
3
Observe bartenders in action. There are little tricks to pouring a good beer, mixing drinks, and saving time behind the bar. Watch how your mixer handles drink orders. Most of it is not rocket science; the most commonly ordered drinks are liquor plus a mixer. Buy drink manuals to learn about the more complex drinks and practice at home.
4
Consider whether you want to go to bartending school. They'll teach you the basics and you'll have an opportunity to practice making drinks. Make sure the school you choose has a real working bar and all real bartending equipment. Bartending is a manual skill that requires speed and dexterity. There is no substitute for hands on training.
- You don't have to go to bartending school to become a bartender, but it can help you learn the basics much faster.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Go Job Searching

1
Apply for jobs you find online. A lot of bartending jobs are advertised on online classifieds websites. Do a job search and keep a list of the jobs that sound appealing to you. Some may ask you to submit a resume online, while others will ask you to come in for an in-person interview.
- If you're worried you don't have enough experience, that shouldn't necessary deter you from applying. If you've practiced bartending skills and memorized the drinks, you may get hired anyway.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Make sure your resume is up to date, well-written, and proofread. Highlight any customer service experience you have, not just bartending experience. Any type of restaurant work is also a plus.
- Some establishments prefer to hire bartenders with no experience because they won't have any bad habits to break. Experienced or not, the cover letter and resume need to be exciting and pop with personality. A great personality and attitude will elevate you above the competition every time.
- Double-check your state's laws before applying for a job, as different states have different laws for serving liquor. For instance, you can get a bartending job in California without a bartending license or any experience, but it'll be really hard.
2
Go to bars and talk to the managers. If you have a favorite watering hole, find out who the owner is and start talking him/her up. Befriend the bartenders, barbacks, and cocktail waitresses, and let them know you're looking for a bartending job. Tip well, go often, and generally be a happy, useful presence at the bar. The manager will be happy to hire you when a position opens up.
3
Look for charity guest bartending gigs. Many big cities are now offering this option. You pick a charity, promote the event, and bring your friends in. In exchange, you and a couple friends get trained for the evening and get to mix drinks all night. It's a great way to get some experience and make contacts. If you impress the bar owner, it could lead to a job.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Land the Job

1
Prepare for your interview properly. Many bartending job applicants go into their job interviews unprepared. If you look at bartending as a quick fix or so easy to do that you don't need to prepare, you will not get the job. Just like you would for any job, show up to the interview with a positive, friendly attitude and respect for the position.
- Dress the part. Your appearance will be a factor when it's time to interview for a job. If you want a gig at a fancy restaurant, dress professionally. If you want a job at a hip club, dress edgy. If a dive bar gig is fine by you, dress tough. Most bars are going for a certain look or image, whether they tell you that or not.
- Be ready to show your skills. Don't show up without knowing how to make a martini.
2
Be personable. If you have a fun, charismatic personality, your lack of experience won't matter nearly as much. Tell some funny anecdotes and crack a lot of jokes. Make it clear that you love talking to people, telling stories, and lending an ear.^{[4]
X
Research source}
3
Act responsible. A bartender's job is fun, but there's also a lot of responsibility involved. You have to open and close the bar, handle cash and credit cards, make sure you don't serve minors, and stop serving people who've had enough to drink. Show that you're mature and capable of handling the types of situations that are bound to arise late at night when the alcohol is flowing.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I get a job as a bartender if I have no experience?

Community Answer

There are multiple ways you can go about this. One way is to first apply as a server or barback just to get your foot in the door, then work your way up to becoming a bartender while learning the drinks. Another thing you may consider is looking into a bartending school. Make sure the place is legitimate and has great reviews, and you can most likely ask for their help with job placement upon completion of the course.
Question

Does bar tending require any sort of college degree?

Community Answer

No. The only requirement in most states is to have or get an "ABC CARD" or a permit issued by the state allowing you to serve alcohol. Usually, this means taking a 5-hour class and applying to the state alcohol board. They will do a background check, and if you have any felonies or drug/alcohol charges, you won't be able to acquire one.
Question

What should I do if I have a bartending job coming up but I don't have any bartending experience?

Community Answer

If this is a professional gig, your employer will train you. Otherwise, just get yourself a good mentor and consultant or do your own research online or at a library.

Warnings

Always be honest about your skills and experience. You do yourself or your employer no favors if you don't have the skills you say you have. And be willing to ask if there is anything that is not clear or you don't understand. It shows intelligence, maturity and willingness to learn. Better to ask a stupid question and risk looking a fool than not asking and confirming you are one.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 26 Not Helpful 8
Where alcohol is involved, people can forget themselves and (with the exceptions of threatening, abusive or violent behavior). Be prepared to see, hear and learn things that discretion requires you keep to yourself. Do not be a gossip and be quick to forgive and forget.^{[5]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0