Bartender

Bartender Apprenticeship Programs

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

Duties
Bartenders typically do the following:

• Greet customers, offer menus, and inform them of specials
• Take customers’ food and drink orders
• Pour and serve wine, beer, and other drinks
• Mix drinks according to recipes
• Check customers’ identification to ensure that they are of legal drinking age
• Clean bars, tables, and work areas
• Collect payment from customers and return change
• Engage with customers
• Manage the operation of the bar and restock liquor and bar supplies
• Monitor the level of intoxication of customers

Bartenders fill drink orders for customers either directly at the bar or through waiters and waitresses serving the dining room.

Bartenders must know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to mix drinks quickly. When measuring and pouring beverages, they must avoid spillage or overpouring. They should be personable with customers at the bar and also work well with waiters and waitresses and kitchen staff to ensure prompt service.

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

Bartenders may collect payment from customers after each drink is served or open a tab for a customer and collect payment when closing it at the end of service. They also must monitor customers for intoxication, determine when to deny service and, in some cases, arrange for safe transportation.

More information about bartender careers including video, wage, and job outlook from USBLS.

More information about bartender careers from O*Net