What Do Bartenders Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Bartenders mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff. They also clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.

Other tasks include:

• Collect money for drinks served.
• Balance cash receipts.
• Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
• Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
• Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers’ excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
• Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.

We asked Bartenders how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 32% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Bartenders slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks. They balance cash receipts.

A typical day for a Bartender will also include:

• Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
• Collect money for drinks served.
• Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
• Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
• Arrange bottles and glasses to make attractive displays.

We asked some Bartenders a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	65% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	66% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	16% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	57% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bartenders also order or requisition liquors and supplies. They may also ask customers who become loud and obnoxious to leave, or physically remove them.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bartenders Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers’ excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons. They might also Plan bar menus.

In addition, they Slice and pit fruit for garnishing drinks.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Create drink recipes.

To some Bartenders, it is also their responsibility to Prepare appetizers such as pickles, cheese, and cold meats.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Bartender, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/food-preparation-and-serving/bartenders.htm

http://www.restaurant.org/