> Hi, I'm going to be moving to L.A. in about 6 months (like the hoards
> of others, to further my acting career) and I plan to bartend to pay
> the bills. I'm in NYC now and will be quitting my "day job" soon to
> go to bartending school and find a bartending gig in Manhattan for
> experience before my move.
>
> I have a few questions for you L.A. bartenders -- I know answers are
> really variable -- I'm just looking for a general idea of things.
>
> 1. First, I want to get an idea of what my new nocturnal schedule
> will be. What time do bars close in L.A.? What time does a typical
> night shift start? End?
>
> 2.How hard is it to find a (decent) gig in L.A.? I'm a 26 year old,
> attactive female (I know this might help me).
>
> 3.Lastly, (and I know this one REALLY depends on where I work, but
> I'm looking for a best and worst case scenario) -- can anyone give me
> a RANGE of what I can expect to make bartending full time --5 or 6
> shifts a week? (or a couple of places part time if need be).
>
> I waitressed my way through a B.A. and Masters degree, so I'm
> familiar with the whole service industry thing. But I'm not much of
> a drinker, so the bar scene is a little foreign to me.
>
> Thanks for any feedback you can give me!!
I have been bartending in L.A. the last 4 years from Hollywood, to Beverly
Hills in the hottest or most well known spots so I could offer you a little
advice.
Your schedule will be starting at anywhere from 6 to 10 p.m., and getting
done as late as 3 a.m. (bars close at 2:00)
L.A. is one of the hardest places to land a good gig on the entire west coast.
However, you do have a major player on your team, you're an attractive 26
year old female (so you say). It seems to me the male bartender in L.A. is a
dying breed, even though I usually double any female I work with in sales,
sadly it's the cute female most owners want behind the bar. (with the
exception of hotels, usually always males.
The best bet is to go to any newsstand and look right next to where they keep
the actor times and such, and you will find a guide complete with names,
addresses, and directions to all the hot spots from Santa Monica, to
downtown. It basically is a guide to help you set up your first gig in L.A.
and from what i've heard, it's the best tool you could use.
Most of the jobs at the new places, hot spots, or money making spots are
usually obtained through the "network" or "who's who" of owners, friends, and
bartenders already in the L.A. industry. That alone makes it tough,
especially for newcomers.
The least money making gig i've had probably not even a hundred a shift. My
best gig ever in LA (moneywise) was Barney's Beanery, where I would work 3
nights a week averaging $300 to $500 a night working 6 p.m. to close. Not
bad huh?
Finally, try the private catering companies. They start you at $15 to $20hr.
plus tips, and you do a lot of cool events (i.e. Golden Globes, Oscars,
Independent Film Awards, Play Station 2 and X Box parties ETC...)
Good luck and I hope that I have helped some. I have been here the last four
years and am lovin' it.
Any questions or comments, e-mail me ilikethecheese[at]msn.com
Playboytender