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 Message 20174 of 22774 in Behind the Bar
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Subject: Re: Becoming a Bartender (sorry)
From: Dano_
Posted: Sat Dec 1. 2007, 18:53 UTC
Followup to: "Becoming a Bartender (sorry)"  by Bryan M  (Fri Nov 30. 2007, 00:50 UTC)
Barbacks do share in the tips.  In my opinion, barbacking isn't a great way to 
become a bartender, as in my four and a half years of bartending I have seen 
exactly one barback be promoted (to service bar only), and he was the 
manager's good friend.  Barbacking is an excellent way to become familiar with 
how a bar is organized and how it runs, but if I were you I would start like I 
did in hotel banquets because they are open to training new bar staff or 
hiring those with little experience.  Learn the basics there, memorize the 
most popular drinks and shooters, and then try for a service bartender 
position at a restaurant where you can experience volume during dinner rushes 
and further your knowledge and experience.  From the service bar, work hard to 
get on the wood serving the customers and you'll be off.  

Many are against it, but I recommend fudging your experience along the way 
(enough to get you the job, not enough to get you in over your head) and be 
extremely persistent.  I started five years ago in hotel banquets, and was 
into restaurants within 6 months, and nightclubs within a year and ever since. 
 It took a lot of persistence, but I've been a high volume bartender for over 
four years and make great money.  It's just my opinion, but I doubt I'd ever 
have gotten this far had I taken the barback route.

Good luck!


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