Most bartenders are not “just” a bartender. They love what they do! For many people serving drinks behind at your favorite watering hole, they enjoy showing up to work every day and providing excellent service.
What do they love about it? It’s long hours, late nights, and it’s not often considered a prestigious career. Surely being a bartender isn’t what anyone aspires to do long term—or is it?
Let’s find out why some say bartending is a rewarding career. Here are nine reasons bartenders love doing what they do!
1. It’s flexible
Once you know your way around mixing drinks and the rules of bartending, you can work just about anywhere that serves alcohol. Plus, bartending often provides a flexible schedule. Some bartenders work their service job around school or a day job.
Do you need a license to be a bartender? Yes! Different states have different regulations for tending bar. However, once you have your license, you can work at almost any bar or restaurant. Be sure you keep your license active to maintain your eligible work status.
2. You Meet Interesting People
If you’ve spent any time at your local bar, you understand that people-watching is a prime activity as the drinks continue flowing.
Bartenders see it all, night after night. Many bars make a great place to meet new people, engage in conversation, and hear interesting stories from patrons. Depending on the type of bar, some bartenders might never see a dull moment during their shift.
If you like people and a social atmosphere, bartending is an excellent job.
3. It Pays Well
You probably know someone who paid their way through college by bartending. Depending on the bar and the clientele, bartenders can make great money working a few hours several nights a week.
On top of your base pay, you earn tips from tipsy patrons. As you learn your bartending craft, you’ll master the art of pacing drinkers to keep them engaged, yet not over-served. Serve your patrons well (and within the law), and they often reward with higher tips.
4. It’s Creative
Except for the occasional slow night, bartending is rarely dull. Mixing drinks can be fun and interesting. Learning new drinks creates your next bartending challenge.
Raise your creativity “bar” and develop your own signature drinks. As you learn the best combinations for different types of alcohol and mixes, your bartending talents can put you in-demand for your creativity. If you want to turn your creativity in the other way – sign up for WritingJobz and start working as a writer.
5. It Boosts Your Confidence
If you need a way to build your confidence, bartending is an excellent way to do it in a comfortable atmosphere.
Learning drink recipes helps develop excellent memory skills. Talking with customers helps improve your social and small talk skills. Learning in a creative environment can help minimize the fear of making mistakes or striking up a conversation.
When you’re the man or woman behind the bar, you are automatically the most popular person in the room! Use that to build the confidence you can take with you when you leave the bar after your shift.
6. It Makes Others Happy
Do you like putting a smile on someone’s face? Serving alcohol can help you do that! Watching people celebrate over a few drinks can be rewarding when you have the opportunity to serve them their favorite beverage.
Talking with someone at your bar who is having a rough time can be the one good thing that happened to them that day. You never know when your role as a listener behind the bar can help someone get through a tough time.
Bartending is a service industry. While your tools are beverages, making sure people have a good time (safely) is the heart of your job. If serving others gets you excited about life, being a bartender is a noble industry for you.
7. It’s Fun
If movies like Cocktail or Coyote Ugly taught us nothing else, working at a bar is fun!
Mixing drinks, telling jokes and stories, and developing friendships with your coworkers make a fun working environment. Plus, there’s usually music, dancing, games, and other things that make your bar a fun place to work or spend time.
A desk job is not fun. If you prefer a more fun and relaxed environment, you need to step out from behind the desk and get behind a bar.
8. It (Often) Offers Free Drinks
If you enjoy having a drink almost as much as serving them, bartending jobs often come with the perk of free drinks.
While your bartending training and licensing discourage drinking on the job, many bars or restaurants allow employees to enjoy a few free drinks after a shift or on your days off. If you enjoy where you work and who you work with, grabbing a drink with them after work makes your job more fun!
9. It’s Different
Bartending is a different job than your average 9-5 job. You don’t need a college degree. It’s a skill you can take anywhere around the world. With enough experience, you can also learn the ropes of managing a bar staff or running your own bar or restaurant.
Choosing a career as a bartender gives you options, community, and the opportunity to be creative in an environment that can change daily. If you enjoy doing something different, give bartending a chance!
Bartenders Are In Demand!
With training, a license, and the right skills, bartenders rarely have trouble finding a job. Bartending is an in-demand career for the food and beverage industry. Have fun while you work, learn a marketable skill, and be everyone’s favorite party guest when you work as a bartender.
Did you enjoy this article? We hope you’ll check out more of our food and drink blogs!