I have several questions about becoming a bartender ?

Question

I am currently unemployed and I am thinking about becoming a bartender. I have no experience and I have never even been behind a real bar. I read a book on bartending and I am really excited about this career. Can you work full time ? How much money can you make first part time and then full time ? What are the hours like ? How do you get your first job ? Is bartending school a good way to learn ? What are the key attributes of a successful bartender ? Is it a something you can do forever ? Please provide as much info as possible . Thanks !

Answer 1

check out www.totallyfreebartending.com ! stay away from bartending schools, they are a waste of time & money, most places do not hire anybody that went to the schools. start at a small restaurant/bar as a barback, and learn from the bartenders there, then fill in on less busy shifts, to gain confidence & experience. keep a bartender's bible at hand, and work your way up to better bars/restaurants. the money to be made depends on the type of bar, the location, the clientele, etc. working at a small family restaurant you might make 50.00 in tips on a good night, at a popular higher end restaurant the tips are more like 200.00 a night, and the most money to be made is at strip clubs, about 350.00 -500.00 a night in tips. this is for experienced bartenders, novices don't get the best shifts.be prepared to work hard !

Answer 2

Be a barback. You will learn the behind the scenes information. I recommend you don't try to be a bartender by being a server and working your way up in a regular restaurant since you won't learn much from those enviornments. You will only make good money at events, night clubs, and bars. Bartenders there can make $200 to $500 a night, but expect to get out of there at around 4 am.

Answer 3

go to a bartending school most states you have to have a license to bartend, all the drinks out there,depending on where you bartend on your income most jobs are at night