Bartending is one of the few jobs that are both mental and physical skills. Bartender needs manual dexterity to handle bar tools, bottles and glassware. Customer service skills are necessary because bartending is a service job
and happy customers are more likely to leave a tip.
A bartending job is highly desirable and can be high paying. A New York bartender can up to $150 to $300 daily and more with salary and tips. A person with no experience can easily learn how to bartend at a New York State Education Department licensed bartending school. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants quick job training that can lead to a well-paying career.
If you don’t have any experience, ignore the advice of people who say start as a server or a bar back. You’ll be wasting your time. I have talked to many servers and bar backs who thought that would be there ticket to a bartending job, but it never happened. Most establishments don’t have the time or the personal to train a person with no experience.
Why should an establishment hire someone without experience when they can call their local bartending school and get graduates who have already been trained in the basics? There are those that do find jobs with no experience but it usually is because their friend owns the place or they’re a hot looking chick that the owner or manager wants to put the moves on.
It takes time to learn how to make all the drinks and it’s important that you practice making them behind the bar. Choose a bartending school like the American Bartenders School that has a 40 hour certification class that’s licensed by state. Forget cheap programs that are only 1 or 2 days long. You’re wasting your time and money. You won’t get enough practice time or instruction to have the necessary skills to land a job.
Once you have bartender training you’re going to have to put in time and effort in getting a job. Jobs where you can make over $1,000 a week to start are in high demand and worth the effort. One of the best things about looking for a bartending job is that potential employers are all around you. On every busy street there are restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels that use bartenders. With over 15,000 places in New York you can be sure there are many full and part time jobs available.
If you’re not sure bartending is right for you, attend a free class at American Bartenders School in New York, Northern New Jersey or Palm Desert, Ca. You can meet the instructor and talk to current students to find out how they like the bartending school.