Message 10026 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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Cannot agree more with Swizzles' advice.

IMO you'd be better off bar backing etc at the start, you would be slowly 
introduced to the bartending as you go along and wont become overwhelmed. This 
is definately the way to go if you are seriously looking at bartending as a 
profession. As you get more confident your employers will pick up on this. 
Where i work every bartender has to work his way up the tree, so that he/she 
has an understanding and appreciation of everybody elses roles, whilst at the 
same time improving their knowledge. It is one thing knowing how to mix a 
cocktail, but can you tell me its history or why x ingredient is so special 
etc?

Remember theres a fine line between being a "know it all" and being 
enthusiastic. Some bartenders unfortunately have big ego's and wont take to a 
newbe telling them how a drink should "really" be made. Cocktails are like a 
joke, everybody delivers the punchline differently in their own style

Anyway good luck in your search!