I have always wanted to be a bartender as a part-time job. I'm thinking of doing this in Chicago. What do you need to do to become one? Do they teach you at the bar or do you have to know all the drink combo's before-hand?
2007-08-24 11:09:59 · 14 answers · asked by randomchick 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
ME TOO!!! They make really good money, and I sure do love alcohol..lol.. Im keeping an eye on this question so i can see what i need to do..
also i live in houston..
2007-08-24 11:13:39 · answer #1 · answered by *Bella Reveuse* 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some places would rather you get a certificate from bartending school. Some places would rather train you themselves so they can teach you their way of doing things. It all depends on the place. Go to a few places near you that you'd like to work at and ask. Some places will move people up from barback or cocktail waitress.
The most important thing you need to know with bartending is not how to make all the drinks.... that won't take long to learn and you can actually do that on your own.... just a lot of memorization. The most important part of bartending is always customer service and speed. Making your customers feel important. Never, ever leave someone sitting there without a drink..... knowing what your regulars drink........ That's how you're gonna make money. Good luck!!
2007-08-24 11:21:19 · answer #2 · answered by Shannon™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was a bartender for six years.
I would advise you NOT to go to a bartender school. The problem with those places is that they teach you nothing about service.
Learning recipes is one thing, service is a whole other ballpark though. Being a good bartender is all about personality. You have to be very outgoing and have a good sense of entertainment, and especially know how to make people laugh.
My advice would be to work at a restaurant or cocktail lounge and learn the ropes from within. That way you can learn service first, which is the most vital function of bar tending.
2007-08-24 11:30:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
check out www.totallyfreebartending.com ! bartending schools are a waste of time & money. get hired as a cocktail server first, to gain drink knowledge, while making great money, then ask if you could train behind the bar as barback or relief bartender. there is no way, to know all cocktails in existence, so keep a bartender's bible handy. the industry actually snickers at "bartending school graduates" we don't hire them. you will also need to get the alcohol serving certification, check your state's laws on it, you can do it online.good luck ! to the houston girl, the TABC certification costs 25.00 online and takes about 5 hours to take , and is good for 2 years(www.learn2serve.com). you will also get a discount on your car insurance, if you show it to your agent, it counts as alcohol/drug awareness course.houston is a great place to make money as cocktsailserver/bartender.
2007-08-25 01:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is best to take a bartending class and then apply as most bars are too busy to teach. The added bonus of the class is that you learn the basics of bar management and that is good money. Good Luck!
2007-08-24 12:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A bar can hire you to work there while they send you to school if they wanted to. Just someone will have to also be there to help you out when you're bar-tending. My friend did this and she mad lots of money. This is how she ended up being able to save so much money. Having the look and attitude is the key. You need good people skills and not to mention bar-tending skills.
2007-08-28 09:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by LB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they have some training classes for that. I wouldn't know about your area. I've thought about being a bartender for a while now as well. I say check your local newspaper to see if there's anything in that area of training.
2007-08-24 11:21:59 · answer #7 · answered by truetaurus86 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In WI, you have to have a license to bartend, which comes after a 6 week course in "responsible beverage service" at the Tech school.
2007-08-24 11:17:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some go to bartending schools, while others are proficient at mixing drinks be cause they like to drink .
2007-08-24 11:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are "schools" that will teach you the recipes but just go cocktail for awhile you will make good money and learn the drinks then can slide into bartending...good luck
2007-08-24 11:14:33 · answer #10 · answered by darcymc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there is actually BARTENDER SCHOOL where they teach you how to be a bartender and find you a job.. its like bryman college but for bartenders... search the web for bartender schools near you...
2007-08-24 11:16:06 · answer #11 · answered by ~WENDY DARLING~ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋