If you want to work flexible hours, meet new interesting people, and get paid well, then working at a bar might be what you need to do. Working as a bartender can be your temporary job until you graduate or you can pick it as a career choice. Improving your skills will guarantee that you will get paid and tipped well. But being a bartender is not as easy as some people might think. Of course, a bar is a fun place, but it can be very stressful. You might meet some weird people, angry people, or people who are dealing with an emotional trauma. You need to be able to handle different situations properly to keep your job and make sure that everyone is having fun even if you are working very late. Here are tips that every beginner bartender should follow.
Do your Homework:
Even if you have some customer service experience, working behind a bar is something else. You have to learn the recipes, the language used, and how to use the equipment properly. You will have to prepare different drinks without making a mess with an inviting smile on your face. Every bar is famous for a few drinks so get yourself familiar with them.
Be Physically Prepared:
You are properly asked to wear a uniform, but if you aren’t, then you need to pick something that suits the place. Every bar has its own style, so you might need to check with the manager before picking an outfit. Always remember that you will be moving around and preparing drinks all the time, so make sure that you are wearing something comfortable. You should always wear comfortable shoes because you will end up standing for hours. Get some good sleep before going to work as you might stay awake all night long.
Listen to Advice:
Your manager wants to make sure that the guests are having the best time so they will most probably give you a lot of advice to help you survive. If you are unsure about anything, you should ask questions before the big crowds arrive.
Check with your Clients:
Some people might come to the bar and ask for a certain drink that they’ve had somewhere else. If you can’t find this item on the menu, then it is better to check with them. They might tell you about the ingredients that are used to prepare this drink and this way you can guarantee that they will get what they want. You can also check with another bartender.
You are There to Work:
A bar is a great place that is full of fun and interesting people but you should stay professional. You should never drink on the job. You must stay sober and focused the whole time. Don’t offer too many free drinks to your friends. Remember that making and receiving money for drinks is going to pay your bills.
Don’t worry if you can’t get everything right. You might be unable to handle some troublemaking customers but you can always call your manager to deal with them. With time, you will get better at handling more challenging situations.
