Bartending belongs to the hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, bars, hotels, and theme parks. Bartenders work where alcohol is sold, such as bars, taverns, hotels, casinos, catering and party companies. Some may serve food or set up tables. In busy bars, assistants known as "barbacks" help bartenders, who also may be responsible for inventory and ordering supplies.
Segments and Skills in Bartending
The bartending industry comprises different segments offering various services. Neighborhood bars and dive bars require bartenders to engage patrons with excellent customer service skills while making drinks. Fine dining represents another segment, demanding bartenders to craft complex cocktails to pair with meals, along with extensive wine and liquor knowledge to provide recommendations.
Bartenders hone their skills across different establishments, learning specific aspects such as beer pouring techniques at pubs, whisky varieties at bars, and wine knowledge in fine dining settings.
Duties and Demand in Bartending
Bartenders are tasked with making both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks based on customer requests and verifying identifications for age. Additional duties include:
- Serving snacks
- Assessing customer needs
- Making recommendations
- Interacting with customers
- Taking orders and accepting payment
- Cleaning glasses and bar tools
- Balancing cash to record sales
Essential skills for a successful bartender encompass multitasking, quick thinking, high customer service levels, handling late night shifts, and teamwork. Knowledge of drinks, current trends, and remembering customer preferences are also important. There is consistent demand for bartenders due to the industry’s resilience during economic downturns and the relatively manageable learning curve associated with the profession.