What are some steps in the right direction to become a bartender?

Question

I want to go to school for it, but I know that you don't need to, i would like to start doing it as soon as possible, I want more money and every one of my friends that do it are making lots of money at it, plus it is also a lifestyle i would enjoy, I'm just looking for a few pointers, Thank you

Answer 1

look to start working at a more laid back bar where you mainly serve beer and easy mixed drinks like gin and tonic and rum and coke and then work your way up to a busy bar where you need alot of drink knowledge to make things like martinis and stuff

buy one of those drink and shot dictionaries and bring it with you to the bars and tell them you have been studying on your own.

Answer 2

I have a few friends who bartend and they make great money... We work at a restaurant with a saloon in it (Sagebrush) so they serve food to their customers at the bar as well. They are both very good at what they do and started off as waitresses for about 3 years. I think it helps to start out as a server so you can learn the basics of customer satisfaction! At restaurants that serve alcohol you can learn about the different drinks and how to make them, you may even have to make them yourself sometimes. I don't really think any schooling would be necessary unless you just wanted to go to school. Only your ABC class is necessary and bartending certification in some states.

Answer 3

It might be different here in the UK but here, pubs and bars are usually desperate for good staff. It's hard to find staff who are good with people and good with money and hard working. Why don't you just go visit some bars and ask if they need anyone, and leave your resume so they can contact you if a job comes up?
Are you sure about it being a well-paid job though? It's not regarded as such in the UK, where it's often a job for students and foreign visitors - maybe it's different in the US as you have a 'tipping' culture that we don't have.