You may think that anyone can man a pub. What’s so difficult about pouring drinks anyway, right? Truth is there’s a lot more to bartending than what meets the eye. It’s a full on career choice; one that not only has the potential to be lucrative, but also possesses multiple avenues of advancement and growth.
So if you didn’t know the following five facts about being a bartender, here’s a quick rundown.
1. Bartending is a mostly a gap job
Most people seem to think that bartending is strictly a temporary in-between job that acts more as a gap filler rather than an actual career. This is certainly true for some people, but not all. Bartending is a very expansive career and you can really go places if you become good at it.
Not only are there bartending professionals out there who thrive in the industry, but there are many trained individuals who have taken their bartending career to a whole new level. Some take part in bartending competitions that promise to test and enhance their bartending skills to the ultimate limits. Others start their own pub and use their experience to create massively successful establishments. So it’s clear that bartending is way more than a simple gap job.
2. Being a bartender is easy
There’s a lot that goes into being a bartender. Anyone who has obtained their alcohol licensing will understand that being a great bartender requires a certain set of skills. These include recognising certain types of drinks using only the senses (without having to check the label), managing lots of customers at once while keeping everyone happy, and understanding how to mix cocktails & shooters expertly.
Bartenders also work long hours. They have to deal with rowdy customers who sometimes go overboard. Bartenders also need great time management skills in order to equally distribute their attention to each customer—making everyone feel welcome and wanted. Lastly, bartenders need good memories. You’ll not only want to remember how your regulars like their drinks, but you’ll also need to know how to serve multiple orders at once without mixing them up.
3. You don’t need to study
Before you choose to become a bartender you will need to attend an alcohol licensing course where you will learn about the safe sale of alcohol and its effects on people. Through this course, you will earn the right to serve alcohol in any authorised establishment. Obtaining this licence will assist you in getting better bartending jobs; because the management recognises your ambition and willingness to take bartending seriously.
4. It’s a dead-end job
If you thought there were no future prospects in a bartending career, think again. You can use your skills, knowledge and experience to great advantage. Many regular bartenders who took the time to obtain their personal licensing have flourishing careers today. These include, but are not limited to:
- – Owning a pub
- – Managing a pub
- – Managing bar staff at nightclubs
- – Bartender competition officials
- – Bar management at prestigious clubs;
- Golf clubs
- Theatres
- Sport stadiums
- ..and lots more!
5. Bartending pays too little
There is one misconception about bartending that isn’t as cut-and-dry as most people think. Many people considering a bartending career think that there’s very little money in the industry. Can you really start a family on a barman’s salary?
This is not quite true. While barmen get decent salaries in the UK, they also get loads of tips from their patrons. These tips aren’t always regular (or guaranteed at all for that matter), but some nights can generate high amounts in tips. If you work in a team, you will likely have to share these tips with your colleagues; but if you work alone, it’s all yours.
Now that you know a little bit more about being a bartender, perhaps you will consider this as a viable career. If you are serious about becoming a professional bartender, remember to put in the work and get your personal licensing sorted beforehand. Once you do that, enjoy this dynamic and social career. It’s well worth it!
How to get a Personal Licence
Thinking of applying for a Personal Licence? The Personal Licence Training Course teaches individuals about the law and legal responsibility of being a licence holder and is part of the process for obtaining a Personal Alcohol Licence.
Once you have passed the Personal Licence Course, you will then be able to apply for a Personal Licence.
