An occupation that has gained increased visibility in the last few decades, is bartending.
Once thought of as a simple job that only entailed serving drinks in a glass to customers, bartending has become more specialized with the development of new drinks, cocktails, and even the advancement of social media platforms.
In these, companies, nightclubs, and bars can advertise their products directly to people, which has, in certain cases, put a focus on bartenders and their unique creations.
We’ll discuss the most important facts about Bartenders, how to become one, and the cost of Bartender School.
Table of Contents
What Is a Bartender?
A Bartender is an individual who prepares, mixes, and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to customers.
They have also been known as barkeepers or mixologists but the most common name is Bartender.
Even though it has mostly been an occupation for men because of prejudices and stereotypes, women have started to gain recognition as Bartenders as well.
What Does a Bartender Do?
Among the most common duties of Bartenders are to welcome customers, provide them with the menu or options, take their orders, prepare and serve their drinks, keep a clean work area, check customers’ identification when there is doubt of being underage, and collect payments for the served drinks.
Where Can Bartenders Work?
There are various settings where Bartenders are able to work beyond the typical bar.
In general, Bartenders can work in casinos, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and other locations where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served.
Should I Become a Bartender?
Even if it might seem like a fun and creative occupation, bartending is not for everybody.
Long hours, particularly at night, always standing, managing diverse types of people that could be affected by the alcoholic drinks, are some of the traits of the job that certain people might avoid.
On the contrary, if you have high energy levels, enjoy meeting and talking to people, are a team player, can multitask, are creative, and have a strong memory, then bartending might be the perfect fit for you.
How Can I Become a Barber?
It’s not required to have formal education or obtain a diploma or degree in order to become a Bartender.
The majority of people that want to learn about this craft, gain their knowledge with on-the-job training.
But for those who wish to have a deeper knowledge and keep up with the new tendencies of the market, attending Bartender school is the best option.
On-the-job Training
Since it’s not a requirement to gain a diploma or certificate, numerous people start training in a particular setting they choose with the help of an experienced Bartender.
This could be a great choice if you want to start working immediately and learn about the job while on the job.
Bartending School
The second option is to attend Bartending School.
These programs are generally offered by technical or vocational schools.
Among the subjects you will learn are state regulations and laws, communication with clients, different types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cocktail recipes, working as a team with other employees, and how to manage difficult customers or disturbances that could occur.
State License
License for Bartenders is not required in every state, so it does depend on the state where you aspire to work.
Yet even if in the state where you are it is not mandatory, you could still obtain a license since some employers might prefer Bartenders who have proven knowledge of the laws and regulations, as well as the basics of bartending.
How Long Does Bartending School Last?
The duration of Bartending School usually varies according to the program you choose.
In general, Bartending School can take from a couple of weeks to three months.
How Much Does Bartending School Cost?
The state where you live, and the type of school and program you choose, are going to affect the cost of Bartending School.
On average, for online programs, you could pay from $100 to $300.
In-person programs tend to cost between $200 and $800, on average.
