Question for bartenders: how did you get your first job?

Question

I'm a wannabe bartender that just ditched a five-year stint at a desk job. I went to bartending college and have been applying to area bars ever since (I live in Milwaukee, so there's a ton of em). It's been rough finding an employer, though. Part of that, I'm sure, is due to that fact that it's summer and the college kids are all employed full time. But I also wonder...what if just putting applications in at bars is not enough?

So tell me, bartenders: how did you get your first gig? Were you promoted from within? Do you b.s. in your first interview or lie about your experience? Or did you just find the right place at the right time?

Answer 1

I started bar tending at the local steak house when the regular bartender went on vacation for two weeks. I was a server at the time.
When we moved to a different state, I took another waitress job but moved into the bar very soon after being hired.
I started cold. There was no Bartender training. I Loved the Job!
I love the interaction. I love the income potential!
I would never recommend B.S in the interview but I would recommend going in with an attitude of willingness to learn. You don't want to make your potential employer feel like there is no room to teach you the way they would like things to be done because You've had Schooling.

Answer 2

I worked at a popular restuarant in town as a host, which closed down while I was away at college. A former bartender from there then opened up a new bar and hired many former employees from the old restuarant. She told me she thought I was unique.

Prior to that I took an online bartending class which was pretty much reading the same as a book and talking to other bartenders. Key point: If you want a bartending job, start making connections.

Answer 3

I got my first job in a bar by getting to know one of the owners. Then I worked my way up to head bartender over the next 2 years. I would try to get your first job in a slower bar or resturant. I work at a night club with about 200 - 300 guest per night. They all come in during the last 4 hours we are open and there are only 2 people bartending to serve them all. So it makes it hard for new bartenders to start out in that kind of fast paced environment. Try to apply at slower bars and work your way into the bar you want

Answer 4

If you don't get any answers soon it might be because they are closing down the bar or still out partying.

Answer 5

PR. Try to know the pple there. Talk to them.