Bartending
 

Does anyone have past or present experiences of Bartending?

I figured that I could give it at try while still going to school and such, seeing as trying to get into retail isn't going that far.

Also, is it recommended to go to a bartending school?

dial 1 800 doo doo doo BAR TEND!
sorry, my temptation got the better of me there :-(

My experiences are that you can make a LOT of money if you are good at it and put forth the effort - however, most people don't put forth the effort and make just enough to scrape by.

Sounds a lot like retail!

In my experience of tending bar in almost every setting, meaning neighborhood bars to upscale cocktail bars to dinner houses, the fact of someone going to bartending school was a mark against them in all the bars I worked at. Course this is only an opinion, but one I believe to be true. It seems bartending school teaches all the wrong things. Just as an example, I can't tell you the number of times I saw a male come in to apply for a bartending position, wearing a tie, which is what the bartending school recommends. (and that is not just for the job application) Well, I'm here to tell you, the last thing you want is something around your neck, that an angry or disgruntled customer, who has alcohol added to the equation, could grab a hold of. It's only common sense not to wear a tie behind the bar, and this is typical of what bartending schools teach.

Having been a past bartender:

1. Know what goes into basic drinks. Memorize it. Sure, many drinks involve only two things and have a silly name. It's part of the mystique.

2. People will ask for weird shit they heard of which you never have. Just ask what's in it. If they don't know, oh well. You're a bartender, not Googledrinkipedia. Offer to make them something else that has a similar name you have heard of. Or make something up with an equally silly name right then and there. One night some guy came in while I was tending and asked for a 'Swayback Turtle'. I've still never found what the hell is in one, and he didn't know. I made up a drink and called it the Komodo Rampant and gave him the first one on the house. He ordered them all night long, and tipped well.

3. Pay attention. The crowd is unruly, and will turn against you if they can. If you look like you're watching them, they'll never get that far.

4. All customers are untrustworthy. Not stealing everything untrustworthy, but they're all vying for your attention and will do what they can to get it.

5. Stay away from the girls/guys. Treat it like a job, and remember they're all customers. Flirting is expected, but I've never seen anythign further go well for anyone involved.

6. Presentation is super important with drinks. They're just liquids in a cup, until you add some garnish, put it in a fitting glass, make sure the beer has a nice head on it, etc.

Do that, and you should do well enough.

Treat your customers as an old time friend.. but don't actually make them friends.. they are still customers. Talk with them, bullshit with them, have fun.

Use the right glasses for the right drinks.

Never ever ever ever leave home without your black book (book with just about any recipe in it).. see anxt's point #2 for reference.

People like their drinks quickly..however, they will appreciate you being a tad slower if the drinks are made correctly.

Bartending school is a waste of money. Unless you are working at a college bar where every week someone is making up some new fruity (sissy) shot or drink, you can get by starting out with knowing about 50 drinks. Those drinks depend on what type of establishment you work at (you don't have to make many Grasshoppers at a sports bar) and the geography of where you work (I've yet to find two bars that make a Rum Runner the same way, even when they are across the street from each other). The most important skill for a bartender is being personable. People will forgive you for not knowing a drink; they won't forgive you for poor service.

I'm so glad I found this post. I was actually planning to find a bar tending school tomorrow.

I decided about a month ago I would like to pursue bar tending.

Lots of good advice here.... =)