Bartenders: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.

What do Bartenders do?

Bartenders typically do the following:

• Greet customers, give them menus, and inform them about daily specials
• Take drink orders from customers
• Pour and serve wine, beer, and other drinks and beverages
• Mix drinks according to recipes
• Check the identification of customers to ensure that they are of legal drinking age
• Clean bars, tables, and work areas
• Collect payments from customers and return change
• Manage the operation of the bar, and order and maintain liquor and bar supplies
• Monitor the level of intoxication of customers

Bartenders fill drink orders either directly from customers at the bar or throughwaiters and waitresses who place drink orders for dining room customers. Bartenders must know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to mix drinks correctly and quickly. When measuring and pouring beverages, they must avoid spillage or overpouring. They also must work well with waiters and waitresses and other kitchen staff to ensure that customers receive prompt service.

Some establishments, especially busy establishments with many customers, use equipment that automatically measures and pours drinks at the push of a button. Bartenders who use this equipment, however, still must become familiar with the ingredients for special drink requests and be able to work quickly to handle numerous drink orders.

In addition to mixing and serving drinks, bartenders stock and prepare garnishes for drinks and maintain an adequate supply of ice, glasses, and other bar supplies. They also wash glassware and utensils and serve food to customers who eat at the bar. Bartenders are usually responsible for ordering and maintaining an inventory of liquor, mixers, and other bar supplies.