Message 4598 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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> 
> I'm learning the drinks quickly and pouring accurately, moreso than 
> any of my "classmates". I'm comfortable striking up conversation with 
> strangers and I'm a decent looking guy, I think i'd be a very good 
> bartender but I'm just wondering if I'll ever get the chance since I 
> don't personally know any bartenders or bar owners in the area.

So how is it that you don't know any bartenders or owners?  A fellow with your 
attributes oughta be a regular PATRON "on the scene".
That's part of what "hitting the streets and hitting them hard" entails.  Go 
to places you think you might want to work or might have a chance of working.  
Hang-out a little bit each week.  Get to know the bartender(s) by name--it 
shouldn't be hard if THEY'RE any good--and moreover, have them know YOU by 
name.
Here's another little trick:  sit at the stool closest to the service bar.  
You'll hear some cool and useful house gossip,--like who's moving to Colorado, 
or getting that day job etc-- you'll be able to assess the house's strengths 
and weaknesses, you'll learn the product mix (what the joint serves the most 
and least of) and if you stick with it, you'll eventually have at least a 
nodding acquaintance with one or more of the managers.  Don't be a Know-it-all 
ass with a just-out-of-school smell on you but try to create rapport with the 
staff as if you're creating rapport with your first customer when you finally 
DO get behind the stick.
It takes some dedication, perseverance and some cunning.  And it takes some 
time on the WET side of the bar when you don't have experience on the WORKING 
side of the bar.  As a manager interviewing a potential employee, I like to 
ask them where and WHAT they drank over the past week.  While there's no wrong 
or right answer, an applicant with no DRINKING experience (variety and 
quality, not quantity) better have another club in his bag.  Put another way, 
a 4 star Kitchen probably wouldn't hire a guy who ate 2/3 of his meals at 
SUBWAY--unless his name was Jared.

Work the streets and you'll get there.
Myers