For what it's worth, I'd suggest going to the places that you might want to
bartend at and get to know the bartenders, servers, and even the owners if
possible. Maybe become a regular, or maybe not, but just get to know them and
chat them up, but I wouldn't make it so obvious that you're looking to work
there until both parties feel comfortable enough to casually mention it. When
there comes an opening (eventually), then hopefully you might have first dibs
on it. There's no hard and fast rule on getting the perfect bartending gig,
but this surely doesn't hurt. This is exactly how I got my very first
bartending gig, and it was at a place that was one of the best bars in the
city to bartend at, both for environment/vibe and money. I was a regular at a
bar in Nashville and I got to be very good friends with the bartenders and the
owner, and when there came an opening for a bartending gig (over 2 years
later), I was the first one they considered, and I had zilch experience. Good
luck.