Do bartenders really make a lot of money???

Question

I am in Houston and i am thinking of becoming a bartender.. you know going to the school, trying to make a few extra dollars. I'm in Texas and you have to be 18 to be a bartender... but I am moving to San Diego in Dec. and I believe that you have to be 21. Would it be worth spending the money to take the class, to be a bartender for a short time while I am here???

Answer 1

it depends on the bar. your personality. and your customers.
some places are known for the flare of the bts and come for a show. if you give a good show they tip well. some ppl come and are glad to have a great bt that keeps the drinks coming and the conversation rolling.
some are just cheap asses and don't tip for diddle. others will be generous.
it's never the same every night. sometimes you make $50 others $500.
you have to know your stuff and really work the crowd.
you have to really study up on mixing your drinks and make them spot on. ppl will eat you alive if you mess up their drinks and they know you are new. they can be mean, but they can be soooo much fun!

Answer 2

Nope, if you are moving to SD, get a job in a restaurant and just get the experience there as a server, if you keep the job long enough and have good work ethic, you managers will see that and once you turn 21 I'm sure there will be a position on the bar staff for you. You will make some KILLER $$$ in SD as a bartender!!! Good Luck!

Answer 3

I thought of taking classes too, because my friend works as a bartender part time and makes great money (depends on the restaurant's of coarse) so i asked different bartenders at different restaurants and they all said that the classes dont really matter because all restaurants want to train you themselves. And that you have to work your way up to a bartender (cleaning tables first, then waitressing, then bartending) regardless of weather you have had prior training.

Answer 4

First of all, do not go to bartending school!! Most places won't hire you if you have. You need to start somewhere waitressing, and learn the ropes so that you can work your way up. And yes, you can make a lot of money, but just like any job, there are down days.

Answer 5

I bartend at a middle/low class steakhouse on Long Island, New York and make like between $300-$150 a day.

I honestly enjoy bartending.

And in your state California like most states it's, 18 to serve, 21 to drink.

Answer 6

i'm a bartender and became one when i was 18 u only have2 b 18 i wouldn't reccomend going to school for it if you are going to be doing it for long it hard. VERY hard at the school i went to we had to rember 120+drinks and be able to make 10 drinks in 10 mins if you can't rember stuff don't bother, if you can give it a try
also shop around to diffrent schools because some just rip you off anything more than like 400 $ you are getting ripped off. good luck

ps that clearview person is an idot and sounds like my grandmother.
fyi drunks dont drink at bars its to expensive
and um DUH not all bars are the some
you can work at a hotel bar, or at a bar and grill there are lots of places you can work at where there arn't any lowlifes!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

To be honest not all bartenders make good money. 1.) If you are good you can make money. 2.) If you are good looking (and if that is your pic) you can make good money. The hardest thing though is finding a bar that allows you to have the Friday and Saturday nights. Which are usually taken by the bartenders that have been there. Plus if you are going to school I feel that cocktail waitressing is the way to go. You don't get the long hours and make good money!!

Answer 8

My daughter took the class and got her "certificate"(I think it was $500, but can't remember for sure) -she worked part-time and it certainly helped her pay her way through graduation from UNC Chapel Hill and 2 years post grad - just remember it takes a special type personality as well as talent - you must be responsible and handle situations discretely as they arise! TIPS are a mainstay to say the least! Of course she didn't be come a "professional" - she has a wonderful great job as an interior decorator in Ft. Lauderdale - Good luck. Always will give you something to fall back on if need be in hard times!

Answer 9

I used to pull $100+ a night working at a hotel downtown, I'd try to bartend somewhere with some night life.

Answer 10

I tended bar while in college and I made a ton of extra cash (well a ton for when I was in school) but would not suggest keeping this as a full time job. It did get really old after a while and you sort of have to be able to flirt with your customers, even the ones you would rather avoid.