What makes a good bartender?

Question

I want to be a bartender. I'm taking classes this summer. What makes a good batender, how they make money and hopefully I
will not do this. What happends when they make a mistake?

Answer 1

Knowledgeable, nice, friendly, outgoing. Smiles a lot, open to suggestion ec

Answer 2

Smiles and eye contact! be sociable, friendly and flirt, but don't flirt so much that you end up getting harassed. allot of ppl want to take the bar tender home. be friendly, yet hard to get, attentive and open. Never CLOSED MINDED or snooty. Money tip: If some one orders a $5 drink and pays with a $20 for example, give them back 2 $5's and 5 $1's rather than a $10 and a $5. this will keep your drawer from over flowing with $1's and $5's. Plus small bills burn holes in ppl's pockets; especially at a bar, and ppl are more likely to tip you a couple dollars if they have allot of $1's. Don't worry about mistakes. they happen. drinks Willl be spilled, if you don't mind they won't mind. Make cheat sheets for popular drinks and prices, or even regulars physical attributes, names and drink of choice and post it by the register. this wil help you be more personal, thus increasing tips, and it will help you remember drinks and prices thus cutting down on mistakes in your drawr. Cheat sheets are a new bartenders best friend. Good luck.

Answer 3

I've been bartending for about 7 years now. Everyone has their own style and personality. It's important that you bring a peice of yourself out with every customer.

Pay close attention to your bar. People don't like to wait for their drinks.

Listen to your customer's requests and act swiftly.

Talk with everyone. Never let someone who's alone feel alone.

Learn some tricks for those slow times. You can find some fun ones on the web, just search "bar tricks".

Always give change back with at least 1 - 5 $1's. (To ensure you get at least a $1 tip per drink)

If you don't know how to make a drink, just ask. Most people don't mind sharing their knowledge of mixology.

Make sure you have a bartender's bible!! For those crazy drinks no one knows what's in it but the book!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!! Everyone Loves A Bartender!!

Answer 4

I used to bartend.
The best bartenders make the drink the way the customer wants it.
They also need to be good listeners in general....some bars are quiet enough that the bartender will hear people talk about their problems.

They need to have a nice style of mixing that looks appealing to the customer. They also need to learn how to not listen in on personal conversations, but at the same time, remain alert to take their order when they want another drink.

Personally, I have to ask: Do you truly enjoy hearing/seeing/interacting with people who are drinking? You will see the true reality of what alcohol does to peoples brains when they drink. It makes them act like idiots, frankly, and only sober people can see this. I do not enjoy being near people when they drink. For that reason, I will never bartend again, although it is fun to mix drinks.

Answer 5

The most important thing is smile. You have to smile all the time and don't show your guests that you're tired or bored or sth like that. You should be out-going and helpful. Of course service also counts. The important thing is technique but the only way to gain experience at work. I used to make some mistakes at the beginning but I'd never gave up. You have to be self confident and believe in yourself. Honestly, when I made a mistake nothing happened. I knew what I shouldn't do next time. You have to be patient as well.
I love this job because I like to be with people and I don't have problem with being with them all the time which sometimes is tiring.

Answer 6

Have you ever worked in the industry ? Don't waste your $$ on that class unless you plan on working in a night club. You will never make those specialty drink in a neighborhood bar. If you have a good personality, some looks & thick skin you will be fine. Its not that glamorus. Check with your favorite local pub to see if you can get on the job experence. That your best bet. Good luck. I have been doing it for 20 years & now I am a G.M. of a pub in Phx.

Answer 7

Smile a lot, know how to joke with people, be confident, be fast, know your stuff. Be able to recommend drinks off the top of your head (preferably the premium ones). When you make a mistake, laugh at yourself to ease the tension, but don't act ditzy or flighty. People know that mistakes can be made, just get it right first and then clean up.

Trust me, my most embarrassing moment was dropping a strawberry daiquiri on the floor and it splashed all over a customer's pants. I was horrified. But he understood and even tipped me after I brought another one. Just laugh, apologize, and make it right. And then don't think about it and let it affect your rhythm.

Answer 8

Skill, good memory, speed, efficiency, patience, creativity and a non-judgemental disposition.
If you choose to work in a uperscale hotel environment it would be wise to have solid wine/beer knowlege as well as a firm understanding of scotch/whiskies. Oh, and must must know how to properly pour a draught....especially Guiness and Stella.

Answer 9

Good skills, LISTENING! and good Memory, friendly, but not too friendly where you end up conversating more than wokring

Good looking, not scuzzy looking. Nice smile! Try to remember the regulars and their names and drink of choice, so before they sit you have a drink all ready for them.

Answer 10

Sex appeal, knowing when to cut someone off, knowledge of the drinks and a whole lot of flirting.