Bartending 101
The Good, The Bad, and The Real Deal
So You Want to Be a Bartender? Good Luck.
Imagine standing next to an ambulance for 10 hours, everyone yelling at you, no breaks, stress through the roof, and everyone is wasted. That’s what it’s like to bartend. If you can get through that, then you can handle being in the weeds on a busy Friday night. Oh, and you might develop an addiction problem too. Here’s the no-BS guide to the different types of bars you might work in, the pros and cons of each, and some tips on how to get started in this chaotic yet rewarding industry.
Dive Bars: The Underdogs of the Bar World
Dive bars are the gritty, no-nonsense establishments where both bartenders and patrons wear their hearts on their sleeves. Picture peeling paint, a well-worn jukebox, and regulars who’ve been coming here longer than some bartenders have been alive. Chances are the bartender has worked there for 30-plus years, and you only get the gig if someone dies or if they really like you.
Working in a dive bar means you get to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. No one's expecting you to make a flaming tiki drink with a sprig of lavender. Here, it’s all about serving cold beer and simple cocktails. The regulars are your bread and butter, and you’ll quickly learn their names, their stories, and their drink orders. But don’t expect big tips. The drinks are cheap, and so are the tips. Creativity isn't exactly encouraged here. If you try to serve a craft cocktail, you might get laughed out of the bar.
Dive bar tips can be hit or miss. Some nights you might rake it in from your regulars, and other nights you’ll be lucky to cover your cab fare home. The real charm of a dive bar lies in its authenticity and the genuine connections you make with the regulars. These are the places where you can hear stories that span decades, all while pouring whiskey shots and cracking open beers.
Cocktail Bars: Where the Magic Happens
Cocktail bars are the playgrounds for the mixologists among us. If you’ve ever dreamed of using a blowtorch to caramelize an orange peel, then getting yelled at, this is where you want to be. Cocktail bars are all about creativity and precision. Beware of the pretentious cocktail bar. Be prepared to hear about how to make ice 200 ways by someone who smells like onion rings.
The best part about working in a cocktail bar is the opportunity to flex your creative muscles. You’ll get to experiment with different spirits, flavors, and techniques. Plus, patrons at cocktail bars appreciate a well-made drink and tend to tip generously. However, with great power comes great responsibility. The expectations are high, and the pace can be intense. You need to know your spirits inside and out, and there’s no room for error when you're charging $15 a drink.
Cocktail bars typically offer better earnings thanks to higher tips and sometimes a higher hourly wage. When someone orders a $20 Old Fashioned, they usually tip accordingly. But don't be fooled by the glitz and glamour; cocktail bars often have pooled tips, which means your earnings are split with everyone from the busser to the barback. The fancier the spot, the more ways your tips are divided, and often, it’s not worth the hassle.
Sports Bars & Restaurants: The Arenas of Alcohol
Sports bars are like the wild west of the bartending world. They’re loud, chaotic, and a whole lot of fun. Imagine trying to pour a pint while dodging flying high-fives and managing a dozen drink orders during a playoff game.
The energy in a sports bar is infectious. Time flies when you’re serving drinks to a crowd of excited fans. Plus, game nights and events ensure a steady flow of customers, and people are generally in a good mood and ready to tip. The downside is the potential for chaos. The atmosphere can turn rowdy, especially if the home team loses. Also, the drink orders are usually pretty basic—think beer, shots, and simple mixed drinks—so there’s not much room for creativity.
Working in a restaurant bar means you often get home early and can somewhat maintain a social life. Plus, there’s the added perk of free or discounted food. But to truly hold the title of a bartender, you need to experience a bar program with no food, where you work from 3 PM to 4 AM. That’s when you’re fully immersed in the lifestyle, dealing with the late-night crowd and all the chaos that comes with it.
Earnings in sports bars can be good, especially on game nights when patrons are more generous with their tips. Just be prepared for the occasional rowdy customer and the unpredictability of a high-energy environment.