Bartender jobs
Does the idea of slinging drinks like the girls of 'Coyote Ugly' sound more like a night out on the town than work? Do generous tips and free meals tickle your fancy?
What do servers and bartenders do?
Waiters and waitresses make up the largest part of this industry; they take and deliver customers’ orders, prepare itemized checks, and sometimes accept payment. Their general duties vary considerably, depending upon the establishment.
Bartenders fill drink orders, plain and simple. Orders can be placed directly at the bar or through the servers for dining room customers.
Hosts and hostesses, usually the first faces the customer sees upon entering an establishment, welcome guests, maintain reservation or waiting lists, assign guests to tables to accommodate the size of their party, show the patrons to their seats, and provide menus.
What are the working conditions?
Food servers and bartenders are on their feet the majority of their shift, so a pair of comfortable shoes is recommended; they also often carry heavy trays of food, dishes and glassware. On top of this pressure, they are also expected to serve customers in a timely fashion to keep business flowing and reduce wait time.
Many restaurants and bars maintain long hours, so you can expect to work shifts that may go into the early morning hours. Weekends and holidays are a busy time for food and beverage establishments, so the ability to maintain a flexible schedule is a must in this industry. During extra busy times, employees may work split shifts, in which they work several hours in the middle of the day, take a long break, and return to work the night shift as well. Many students only work food and beverage serving jobs part time—this gives them enough spending money so they’re not indebted to Mom and Dad, as well as valuable work experience.
What skills do I need and how can I get promoted?
There are no educational qualifications for these positions, though employers may prefer to hire high school graduates for server and bartender positions. The ideal candidate for these jobs is typically well-spoken and well-dressed with the ability to work well with others. Waiters, waitresses and bartenders need to have an excellent memory because they will need to remember multiple orders at one time. They also need to be comfortable using a computer to place orders and generate customers’ bills; math skills are also a plus to calculate totals quickly, so brush up on that arithmetic boys and girls.
Prior experience is not necessary for some establishments, but for restaurants with strict standards, a couple years under your belt will give you an edge. As for age, you need to be at least 21 years old to serve alcohol, so you younger job seekers should get your start as a server before you can throw those cute little umbrellas in any cocktails. If you are old enough to bartend, you should be familiar with state and local laws concerning the sale of alcohol, and always follow those rules to a tee.
It may be a little harder to get promoted in the food service industry because the establishments tend to be small, but like at every job, there is always the opportunity for a raise once you gain some experience. You can also try to find a job in a bigger and busier establishment that may pay more from the get-go and have more opportunities to advance. Some hosts and hostesses as well as waiters and waitresses advance to supervisory jobs, such as maitre d’hôtel, dining room supervisor or restaurant manager.
Show me the money!
Wages vary depending on location and job description. For specific information, check out our wage calculator to help you determine pay for this job in your neck of the woods.