Bartending is one of the most flexible careers in the world. People are often drawn to bartending because of the income potential, varied hours, and the demand for bartenders from cities to small towns and everywhere in between. No matter where you live, chances are great there are bartenders employed within minutes of your home.
It's no wonder then why so many people want to bartend. But what exactly are the qualifications of a successful bartender? This is where things get a little hazy. This is not as simple as an accountant needing an accouting degree or a truck driver needing a particular level of drivers lisence. Conversely, the qualifications of an ideal bartender require a bit of soul searching on the part of the individual.
The Successful Bartender
Trust me when I tell you there's a whole lot more to being a great bartender than memorizing drink recipes. There is a unique level and complexity of personal traits involved. Let's take a look at the top five qualifications, and traits, of the most successful bartenders.
Trait #1: Successfully Adapting To Your Environment
Before you enter the world of bartending, ask yourself what type of job environment makes you tick. Bars are cyclical, not only through the course of a year, but within one day or even one shift. It's not unusual for two or three hours to be extremely slow, followed by a few hours of absolute bedlam. Can you adapt to an environment like this, and will you find it enjoyable? Simply put, some people enjoy, and thrive in, a more consistent and methodical daily pace.
Trait #2: Relationship Skills
Let's face it, bartending is a social job. Are you outgoing? Are you a good listener? Sometimes it's very difficult for people to balance those two skills, but you'll need a lot of both to be a bartender. Further, you'll not only be dealing with customers (who are sometimes difficult), but you'll also have close working relationships with other bartenders, servers, managers, and support personnel. To complicate matters, each of these people may have their own agendas and priorities. Good internal relationships are what keeps a bar moving smoothly. Make sure you've got the interpersonal skills to navigate through these potentially difficult waters.
Trait #3: It's Not All Glamor
When the movie "Cocktail" hit the theaters, thousands upon thousands of people suddenly wanted to become bartenders, enticed by the glamor and money depicted in the film. In reality though, those glamor moments are few and far between. You'll have bad shifts with even worse tips. There will be customers and staff you'd just as soon not deal with. And it's hard work! Remember, it's not just being behind the bar ... there's pre work before the bar opens, and clean up after the bar closes. These aspects of the job are far from glamorous, so enter the profession knowing all the ups and downs.
Trait #4: Fluctuating Finances
Bartending is a job where you'll make the bulk of your money from gratuities. These will fluctuate, especially earlier in your career where you may not have a steady crowd of regulars. Economic conditions and the geographic area where you work will also factor in. Make sure you've got the ability to weather the storm of fluctuating income. It's not uncommon for an ill prepared bartender to have a good night and, flush with cash, spend it all in a day or two. It takes a strong dose of discipline and a willingness to take a long term view and big picture focus.
Trait #5: Your Energy Level
Most new bartenders are surprised, even shocked, at how badly their feet hurt and how tired they are after a long shift. Bartending may look glamorous but it's not easy work. You'll need to be in condition to stock, move boxes, and be on your feet for hours at a time. Many times, you'll close a shift in the wee hours of the morning and expected to be back on shift for opening just a few hours later. Sleep patterns and personal plans quite often take a back seat. Be aware, and prepared for this physical and mental upheaval before you enter the profession.
If these traits somehow discourage you from pursuing bartending as a job or a career, that's certainly not the intent. Rather, it is intended as a frank assessment of what the bartending job entails from someone who has been in the trenches. And while bartending can be mentally and physically challenging, the right bartending job can be incredibly rewarding. Just be sure to ask yourself some tough questions before you dive in, and most importantly, expect honest answers as well.
It's no wonder then why so many people want to bartend. But what exactly are the qualifications of a successful bartender? This is where things get a little hazy. This is not as simple as an accountant needing an accouting degree or a truck driver needing a particular level of drivers lisence. Conversely, the qualifications of an ideal bartender require a bit of soul searching on the part of the individual.
The Successful Bartender
Trust me when I tell you there's a whole lot more to being a great bartender than memorizing drink recipes. There is a unique level and complexity of personal traits involved. Let's take a look at the top five qualifications, and traits, of the most successful bartenders.
Trait #1: Successfully Adapting To Your Environment
Before you enter the world of bartending, ask yourself what type of job environment makes you tick. Bars are cyclical, not only through the course of a year, but within one day or even one shift. It's not unusual for two or three hours to be extremely slow, followed by a few hours of absolute bedlam. Can you adapt to an environment like this, and will you find it enjoyable? Simply put, some people enjoy, and thrive in, a more consistent and methodical daily pace.
Trait #2: Relationship Skills
Let's face it, bartending is a social job. Are you outgoing? Are you a good listener? Sometimes it's very difficult for people to balance those two skills, but you'll need a lot of both to be a bartender. Further, you'll not only be dealing with customers (who are sometimes difficult), but you'll also have close working relationships with other bartenders, servers, managers, and support personnel. To complicate matters, each of these people may have their own agendas and priorities. Good internal relationships are what keeps a bar moving smoothly. Make sure you've got the interpersonal skills to navigate through these potentially difficult waters.
Trait #3: It's Not All Glamor
When the movie "Cocktail" hit the theaters, thousands upon thousands of people suddenly wanted to become bartenders, enticed by the glamor and money depicted in the film. In reality though, those glamor moments are few and far between. You'll have bad shifts with even worse tips. There will be customers and staff you'd just as soon not deal with. And it's hard work! Remember, it's not just being behind the bar ... there's pre work before the bar opens, and clean up after the bar closes. These aspects of the job are far from glamorous, so enter the profession knowing all the ups and downs.
Trait #4: Fluctuating Finances
Bartending is a job where you'll make the bulk of your money from gratuities. These will fluctuate, especially earlier in your career where you may not have a steady crowd of regulars. Economic conditions and the geographic area where you work will also factor in. Make sure you've got the ability to weather the storm of fluctuating income. It's not uncommon for an ill prepared bartender to have a good night and, flush with cash, spend it all in a day or two. It takes a strong dose of discipline and a willingness to take a long term view and big picture focus.
Trait #5: Your Energy Level
Most new bartenders are surprised, even shocked, at how badly their feet hurt and how tired they are after a long shift. Bartending may look glamorous but it's not easy work. You'll need to be in condition to stock, move boxes, and be on your feet for hours at a time. Many times, you'll close a shift in the wee hours of the morning and expected to be back on shift for opening just a few hours later. Sleep patterns and personal plans quite often take a back seat. Be aware, and prepared for this physical and mental upheaval before you enter the profession.
If these traits somehow discourage you from pursuing bartending as a job or a career, that's certainly not the intent. Rather, it is intended as a frank assessment of what the bartending job entails from someone who has been in the trenches. And while bartending can be mentally and physically challenging, the right bartending job can be incredibly rewarding. Just be sure to ask yourself some tough questions before you dive in, and most importantly, expect honest answers as well.
About the Author:
If you're a bartender, or are considering becoming a bartender, you owe it to yourself to check out our brand new "How To Be A Better Bartender" resource site. To learn how you can double your tips on each and every shift, visit us at: http://www.beabetterbartender.info .
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