Bartenders
Overview
Bartenders create and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages while providing excellent customer service in restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. They mix cocktails using precise recipes, check IDs to ensure customers are of legal drinking age, and manage bar operations including inventory and cleanliness. Modern bartenders use point-of-sale systems, craft unique drink creations, and often work in collaborative team environments. This career requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask in fast-paced settings.
Did you know?
Most states require bartenders to be at least 18-21 years old and obtain alcohol service certification or licensing to legally serve alcoholic beverages.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$32,436.67 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Speaking
Key Responsibilities
- Serve snacks or food items to customers seated at the bar.
- Create drink recipes.
- Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Balance cash receipts.
- Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
- Order or requisition liquors and supplies.
- Slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.
- Plan bar menus.
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Prepare appetizers such as pickles, cheese, and cold meats.
- Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
- Ask customers who become loud and obnoxious to leave, or physically remove them.
- Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
- Plan, organize, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
- Supervise the work of bar staff and other bartenders.
- Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.
- Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
- Mix ingredients, such as liquor, soda, water, sugar, and bitters, to prepare cocktails and other drinks.
Career Considerations
Licensing and Age Requirements
Most states require bartenders to be at least 18-21 years old and obtain alcohol service certification or licensing to legally serve alcoholic beverages.
Tip-Dependent Income
Bartender earnings in the US heavily rely on gratuities, which can create income variability based on establishment type, location, and customer volume.
Non-Traditional Work Schedule
Bartending typically requires working evenings, weekends, and holidays when bars and restaurants experience peak business hours.