Bartender Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How much money does a bartender make? I am 16, but I want to be a bartender until I get my resturaunt management degree and open up a nightclub. But I need to know a few things here are my questions. *How much does a bartender make in the Houston/Spring/Woodlands area of Texas? *How much money in tips do bartenders make a night on average, after it is split up with the waitresses/waiters if it is split up at all? *How many nights do bartenders work a week normally and how long are the shifts. *What drink mixes should every bartender know? *How much does bartending school cost? *What is the average amount of money a bartender makes nightly? Any other things to know that I forgot to add would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Answer: It really depends on where you're working and what you look like. When I was bartending, I worked 5 nights a week and was making about $60K a year. I knew gals working in gay bars that were making $80K plus. SOme more by having tips under the table. It's good money if your get into a good place. Local bars you'll probably make in the $30-$40K range

Question: If you are a bartender, do your hands get funny stains or anything from working? One of the characters in my novel is a seriosu bartender and I am trying to describe his fingers. If you work long hours as a bartender, cutting fruit, washing stuff, etc, do your fingers suffer any effects? Funny stains? Permanantly wrinkled tips? Anything identifiable or special?

Answer: Yes, the liquors and ingredients can stain skin, especially lemons that can make your fingers rot! I can't imagine that green or red cherries are good for you either. Grenadine? Yuk! Use hand guard or lotion several times a shift too! Wash with soap and water after handling lemons/limes! Cheers!! >|< .

Question: What are the benefits of being a bartender? Can a guy be a bartender? Do they make a lot of money? Do you go to college to be a bartender? Do you have a pretty easy lifestyle as a bartender?

Answer: Hanging out in a party like environment and getting paid....

Question: How much does a bartender working in a Las Vegas nightclub make ? I want to become a bartender in a Las Vegas Nightclub. I am going to bartending school and then I am going to relocate there and hopefully find a job. Is it hard to get an entry level job as a bartender in a nightclub in Las Vegas ? How do you get in the door ? And how much money can I expect to make ?

Answer: 40 to 50 k a year. not including tips

Question: Can a bartender have 1st hand knowledge that a patron is 21 and serve them without ID legally? I am a bartender in Maryland, and this is a question that seems to be a back n forth issue at my bar.

Answer: i wouldnt, i have been in the biz for 20 yrs, no id, no beer..... the other customers need to see that you are id ing as well.....

Question: How do I become a bartender and learn all those drinks? I want to become a bartender. You can make a decent amount of money and it seems like a pretty fun job. Where do I need to go to become a bartender. Is there a certain class you have to take or license you need to obtain. How do you learn all of those crazy drinks that people ask for?

Answer: you are required to get an alcohol serving license and you can find out about that by calling your city hall or restaurant association. but there are plenty of vocational schools that teach you how to bartend, help getting you licensed, and have a great network of jobs to offer. search google for "bartending school YOUR CITY" experience and school will teach you all those crazy drinks.

Question: Is it mandatory to obtain a bartender license or certificate in the provinces of quebec and ontario, canada? I have my smart serve certificate and wanted to know if it is a law or regulation that one must have some sort of bartender or alcohol license in Canada and in particular, for the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. From what I have seen so far, a lot of these bartending schools and on line courses, although informative, are not a requirement in order to work as a bartender. Anyone know the actual regulations?

Answer: yes.

Question: What does it take to become a bartender in las vegas ? Can someone tell me what it takes to become a bartender in las vegas . How difficult is it ? What about the competition ? How do you start as a beginner ? How much does a bartender in las vegas make ?

Answer: Every good bartender I know started one of two ways. They are both good and will score you a decent bartending job. Number one: Go to bartending school. It's obvious I know but you can really learn a few things there. When you get out of the program you'll be set to tend a bar. You'll probably get a job at a slow bar because you have no experience but you can quit and go to a better place when you get some time. Number two: Become a barback at the place you want to work. This is good for two reasons. You'll get some killer experience at a fast bar and learn to make the types of drinks that crowd wants to drink. And also you'll have time AT the place you want to work so you'll have seniority over someone else. After a while you can pick up some Sunday afternoon shifts or something and you're good from there. If you work at a popular and expensive bar you can EASILY make six figures in LV. No joke.

Question: What is an average cost for a bartender at a private party? Hello. I live in Minnesota and I got a bartender's license about a month ago. I have been having some problems getting a full time job as a bartender, so I was going to offer to bartend holiday parties for neighbors, but I do not know how much I should ask for. Any links or answers would be great!

Answer: $20-30 per hour with a four hour minimum, plus gratuity. Sometimes there is a premium for help during peak seasons, like the holidays. Depending on where you live, you can probably find a number of agencies that specialize in freelance bartenders and waitstaff. If you can't find listings for any, try calling a local caterer and ask them if they can recommend a place. Also depending on the liquor licensing laws in your area, the party host will be required to provide all of the alcohol and mixers - you just show up and shake. Some bartenders I've worked with bring their own bar kit with shakers and other supplies, which is something that they may not need at every gig, but are usually happy to have it when they do (good bar towels, too!)

Question: What does it take to be a bartender in a Las Vegas Nightclub ? My name is Mike. I am in my thirties and I just got layed off from my banking job. I am enrolling in bartending school to become a bartender and then my dream is to move to Las Vegas and become a bartender at a nightclub. Can someone out there tell me what that will take ? How can I accomplish that goal with no experience ?

Answer: i'm going to tell you this from experience ... it's much harder for a man, who's just getting into the game, to get a job as a bartender in LV. the clubs & casinos want women, or men who've been doing it for a long time. if you still want to pursue it, you'll have to start small (and it helps you know someone!) ... go to a local bar like PT's or something, or start as a barback. you may have to do that a while. but at home, practice skill & drinks any chance you get, so that if you go for the "big job" you have something to prove! you have to step it up, since you don't have the experience.

Question: Can an employer force a bartender to give them back 20% of their tips for helping out? I am a bartender in a local pub/casino in Las Vegas. The employer forced me to sign a paper that I would give up 20% of my daily tips to them for helping when it is busy and also give up 10% to the cook. Is this legal?

Answer: It's legal, yes, as long as your total income doesn't drop below minimum wage, and as long as the tip-out isn't applied retroactively. When I was at college I waited tables in an expensive restaurant, and HALF our tips went into a tip-out pool that was shared between the bartender, maitre'd, bus-boys, host and kitchen staff. Good job the average bill was over $100 a cover, even back then, so I still made good money. Richard

Question: How can I become a bartender at scores of las vegas ? I want to become a bartender at scores of las vegas. I am a good looking male and I love that place. I will do anything to work there. Its my dream and if i dont work there, I will be extremely dissapointment. It not because of the girls, but because of the infatuation and delusion I have of working there. Evertime I drive from LA to Vegas, I always go to scores. I want to get behind one of there bars and serve hundreds of drinks a night and have the prestigious of making dennis rodman his favorite drink. What will it take to get a job at scores of Las Vegas. Someone tell me what the odds are at this point ?

Answer: Dude, I played craps w. Dennis Rodman in Vegas once, and it was...not so much an experience. Also, I have never heard of this place (and I go to Vegas about every other month, but I'm old, so whatever). If this is some cool happening place, I would suggest you get your bartending license and work at wherever you can, while pitching/schmoozing whoever hires bartenders at Scores. Eventually it will happen (although the place could easily become old news by then--the average lifespan of the "hot place' in Vegas is about 2 months).

Question: How can i become a bartender without going to bartending school? I dont have money to go to bartedning school how can i become a bartender quickly?

Answer: Believe it or not, some states REQUIRE licenses for many food and beverage positions. I suggest you start with your county health office. They should be able to tell you what the license requirements are - or should be for the county or counties or the cities you want to work in. Get to know the bartender[s] in the establishment[s] you're interested in working. Getting to know the managers also goes a long way. DON'T go in those places to get a buzz or get drunk. The best days and times to do your networking are Monday through Thursday: 2 PM to 4:30 PM and/or 9:00 PM to 10 PM. AND/OR, depending on the bar and state law, 12:45 AM until closing. Sometimes they'll let you stay after closing, while they clean up and re-stock for the next business day. Saturday: 11 AM to 11:45 AM. 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Sunday: Is a "pot luck" kind of day. It all depends on how busy that bar is. Many times, you could go in at 11:00 AM and chat with the bartender until "the crowd" starts coming in for the popular sporting event. Generally, the busiest days of the week are Fridays and Saturdays. FORGET ABOUT ALL DAY FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT OR SATURDAY NIGHT. Bartenders are far too busy. Any other times are the times when the bartender is busy tending bar and earning his/her money, tending bar and conversing with customers. Most of the time, you're on your feet. Invest in a very comfortable pair of shoes or two pair of comfortable shoes. Why two pair? One pair airs-out one day, while you are working in the other. You should alternate wearing the shoes. When you're busy, the hours fly - they go fast! When its slow, they creep! You will find-out and discover you will be your customers’ psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage counselor, Mr./Ms. Fixit, their “best friend�, etc. This is part of the job. Its how you build “a following� and how you increase your tips. You better learn how to operate that register and make change very fast! Sometimes the bar is two or more “deep� This means all around the bar, the customers are standing - waiting for service. You’ll develop a system. It takes time AND thought. You may have to start off getting ice, washing glasses, stocking beer and wine; cutting fruit; getting juices and doing all the other tasks necessary for keeping the bar running smooth. Then you'll get to work the service bar or functions/banquets/parties. You may be able to pick-up a shift or two for lunch, during the week or lunch on Saturday and/or Sunday. Ask the bartenders you befriend about attending a barternding school. Its worth looking into. If you decide not to do this, its a loss of some of your time and its entirely up to you. A great book to invest in is "Mr. Boston's Deluxe Official Bartender's Guide" or "Mr. Boston's Recipe Book". Either is commonly referred to as "Mr. Boston" I THINK I would prefer the former rather than the latter. Each day when you go to work, take your book. Each day, when you leave, take your book. You may want to invest in both. It has JUST ABOUT ALL the popular cocktails and drinks. When you have this book with you, your chances of "being stumped" about a drink or preparing that drink you forgot how to make, should be greatly reduced. Many times the customers play a vey frustrating game. They try to "stump the bartender" and they make up their own names for drinks. If you can't find that drink in your book, ask the customer who ordered it. DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER! For Heaven’s sake, PLEASE tip the bartender[s]. He/She/They have bills to pay - just like you do! Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Over 26 years in the food & beverage business. “The University of Hard Knocks.�

Question: How much money can a bartender make on a Friday and Saturday Night ? How much money can a bartender make on a Friday and Saturday night working at a bar or nightclub ? Give from low to high ?

Answer: A buddy from the marines went into bartending after he served. He was making $200-$400 (depending on the night) in Arizona.

Question: How is a bartender responsible for his customer who drinks and IS NOT driving? I was told that a bartender is utterly responsible for his customer to the point that even if the customer drinks and takes a cab and on getting home hits his head on something, the bartender can be sued for that. It that true??

Answer: Yes, it's true. The bartender served him past the point of intoxication. Bartenders are only supposed to serve someone until the point where they are exhibiting signs of being drunk. I got in huge trouble as a bartender once because I served an elderly man 2 beers and one shot and then he had a seizure outside the restaurant, fell, and hit his head. He was a regular and we knew he had a condition, but he cops would have come after me had my boss told them I was bartending that day. Most of T.I.P.S. training (required in Massachusetts for bartenders) reviews how to tell someone is impaired and how to cut them off. It's your bar, you're serving the alcohol, you are responsible.

Question: Where can I find a bartender contract? I'm an event planner & I have a friend that is a bartender at a Bar but doesn't usually do events. So becaise I'm planning on hiring her for an event, I need a bartender contract that can be signed by my client & the bartender. Where can I find one? I've checked google but no luck. Thanks!

Answer: http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/employ/index.php?pid=yahooppc-employ-contract_a&OVRAW=bartender%20employment%20contract&OVKEY=employment%20contract&OVMTC=advanced&loc=US&a=t This isn't exactly what you are looking for, but hope the guideline helps.