This site is obviously not monitored by bartenders. I have been tending bar
for over 20 years, yes I'm old, but I'm faster and smarter than any 20 year
old.
First of all, there is more to bartending than making drinks. I have worked
with many idiots who could put a few ingredients in a glass and make a drink
but they will never be a bartender. Making a good tasting drink is important
but its all about making money...........You need charisma, your on stage back
there,if your not show material than be a cook or a busboy.
Most of the advice given here on how to start bartending is somewhat
correct. The best way is to become a barback. THEN WATCH the bartenders, kiss
butt with the management staff, work hard when your barbacking because the
bartenders will give you good referance. But don't be so good that they don't
want to lose you as a barback! Don't tell the management you want to be a
bartender when you interview for the barback job because everyone says that.
Than after you establish yourself as a good worker than let it be known you
want to tend bar.It will also help if somehow you can establish the fact that
your honest and trustworthy. If you find money on the floor, turn it in. I
know that 20 or 100 dollar bill will be tempting but look at it as an
investment. You will make good money as a bartender. One other thing, don't
call in sick or be late. You can also be a food server,if there is no opening
for barback.
There are no good bartending schools, I checked most of them out, they
charge you a fortune( some over 1000.00 dollars)For a 2 week course. The
reason I was checking them out was because I am in the process of creating a
downloadable E-book along with video tapes for a bartending course that will
run somewhere between 150 and 200 dollars. Some of the video tapes have real
bartenders training you while there at work. Look for it in about 2 months or
less at a site called bartendinginformation.com ( this link is not active yet)