> How do you go about preparing yourself for your first day at work at
> a bar? Do you take a shot of something to relax to get the
> nervousnesss out.. your feedback would be helpful. thanks
First of all...relax...you're going to have the jitters no matter what you do
so just have them and get on with it. I don't really recommend having a drink
to deal with your nervousness...most places don't really want their bartenders
drinking anyway, but if it's cool at this place and you do, don't have more
than one.
I don't know if you're right out of bartending school or what kind of
experience or training you've had but I'll assume you know the basics...and if
you do...relax...because that's what people order for the most part...gin and
tonics, martinis, cosmopolitans, cape cods...all those basic drinks are what
you'll be making for the most part so don't worry about those. If you don't
know a drink ask for help from another bartender, check a cocktail book or if
you have to...ask the customer....it's not a crime to not know a drink on your
first night.
Here's a trick a mentor gave to me to help save face... go to office depot or
wherever and get a really small address book...one that will fit in your back
pocket and is sectioned out alphabetically...then you can enter in any drinks
that you may be uncertain of by name and in whatever way that makes sense to
you. So when you can't remember you can just whip that book out, hold it
behind the bar, go right to the drink and remind yourself...no harm done and
you don't feel like too much of a dork asking the customer.
My advice is to keep in mind that it's bartending not brain surgery...you're
just making drinks for someone...if you don't get it exactly right no one's
life is at stake. Not that you shouldn't want to do a great job and make some
damn good drinks...there's been a lot of talk about that on this board
lately...but have fun and realize that you're learning and you're going to
make mistakes. But you'll get faster and better at what you do very quickly.
I would even say go ahead and admit you're new at the job if you're having a
problem with a drink. If you're friendly about it and have a sense of humor
you can usually get a customer on your side. Get their feedback on the drink
you made for them. Get them involved in what you're doing, if you've got time
and it's not too crazy busy.
The main thing is to have fun and then the people in the bar will have
fun...even if you're in the weeds, try not to get frustrated, stay positive
and just keep going and you'll get through it. And the next night...you'll be
faster and know more. Good luck...let me know how it goes and what kind of
place you're at.
Archie