Want to start bartending. Is it hard?

Question

I want to pick up bartending because you can do anywhere and make quick cash ($600 for working 2 nights!). I am not a big drinker, however, and do not know how to mix any drinks. Think I will I be able to pick it up fast? Any thing else to consider?

Answer 1

Don't count on that much for two nights. It varies wherever you go. You may need to start somewhere where you make less to get the experience. It is not hard but you will have to have a great memory....to memorize drinks....to remember what each customer drinks each time they come in.....etc. Get a book about alcohol and drinks and start studying it. Then ask around your area what peoples favorite drinks are so you are sure to know how to make them (along with all the standards ones).

You will need to know these just for starters:
Margarita
Bloody Mary
Manhattan
Cosmopolitan
Bay Breeze
Sea Breeze
Madras
White Russian
Black Russian
Martini (various kinds)
There are a whole lot more but I do not know the type of place you intend to work in. The style and variety of drinks change from place to place. Get to know your whiskeys...learn about sweet and dry vermouths and which drinks get which. Learn what alcohols are in a speed rack (the bottles most used). There is a lot to learn but if you go to some small place and work daytime when it may be slow you can learn on the job. That is the best way.....and the customers are always willing to help you learn. Good luck.

Answer 2

bartending is very good money but it is hard work and it takes a while to learn and you will not find any bar/restaurant that will hire a bartender with no experience. I would suggest u try working as a server first and the money in serving is almost as good depending on where u work at. Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I wouldn't like the idea that i'd serve people until they are almost drunk and then they are going to drive and kill people. Because there are always some people who are going to drink and drive. So for me it would be very hard to start bartending, i couldn't live with the idea. Mixing drinks: doesn't really matter, after one night you know what to do. You can always get a 'drinks' book, or look on internet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cocktails

Answer 4

Sure you can if you have experience!
Good luck getting a break into it.
Most work there way up the food chain- from dishwasher.

I don't mean to be rude- I tried to convince my friend NOT to do it. She is much like you and only gets Catering jobs now.
She actually says its a "race thing" and I can't argue with her on it. I have seen it as an issue myself.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 5

No, not really just look for job listing and then have a good interview and the job should be yours.