Photo credit: Goodstuph
If you want to try your hands at bartending, you don’t need to spend a thousand bucks to get certified. What you really need to do is get the experience most successful bartenders worked so hard for.
Are you ready to start a career as a bartender? Here are some points to consider:
1. Do your research
You can’t really work in an industry you know nothing about. So, even before you start applying for bartending gigs, make sure you know the scene quite well. Visit some pubs and clubs and see how the professionals work night after night. Do keep in mind that it really does pay good money from the customers’ tips, but you will be working irregular hours. If you can think you can handle the highs and lows of the job, then it’s time you find out where you can learn to bartend.
2. Get the experience
Everyone can be a bartender, with or without experience. If you’re the latter, don’t worry for you can still become a successful one. All you need to do is practice. You can earn your way to the top by starting as a bar back. Sure, you will be the designated helper for everyone, but what you can gain will be invaluable. Aside from learning to mix alcoholic beverages, you also get to do other demanding jobs in the bar. For all you know, you can be a one-man-show behind the bar!
3. Memorise recipes
Have you ever seen a bartender with a recipe book in front of him during working hours? No, right? So, while you’re getting the experience needed, start memorising the basic recipes such as martini or cosmo. Keep on mixing drinks, cocktails until you perfect the taste. Also practice those juggling tricks with empty bottles to impress the giddy crowd. Trust us, it will gain you more tips!
4. Have the right personality
Now that you have the skills, it’s time to work on your personality. You can’t be boring when you’re working the bar otherwise you will lose customers. You need to be their friend, confidante, and most of all, their fun friend! So, do your best to keep that smile on your face even when the work gets tough. Remember that some customers can be a prick, so you also need to put them in their place and keep the peace inside your turf.
Now that you’ve read the points on how you can become a bartender, are you willing to take on the challenge? To start you off on your new career, here are 2 recipes you can try at home:
1. Reflections
2. Flowers for Her
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