Need Advice from Bartenders...and anyone else who'd like to chime in

[Camry178]

Hey all, I just need some advice.

I've been working at my retail job for the past 10 years now and am thinking of a career change. The reason for the change is that I have a 3 yr old son that I only get to see about 3 days a week b/c of mine and my husband's work schedule. My parents have him about 4 days and live almost 70 miles away.

Anyway, I've been really thinking about bartending since it's something I could do at night after my husband gets home.

Now my question is in regards to the pay. Do female bartenders make better tips than male bartenders? I could really use as much advice as possible, cuz if i can make more money bartending part-time than working my full-time job, guess what I'll be doing?:)

[Jester]

Do female bartenders make more than male bartenders? Assuming everything else is equal (as in they are as good as the male bartenders, and aren't complete slack asses, etc.), yes.

That being said, not many places will hire you as a bartender right off the bat. Either they will hire you as a server or cocktail server, as they normally hire their bartenders from within, or, if they don't have servers, they will usually look for someone with experience.

Can you get a job as a bartender off the bat without experience? Yes. But it isn't easy.

If you are wondering, I make these statements with 21 or so years of experience in the food and beverage service industry, though of course most of my experience has been in Arizon and Florida. Individual mileage may vary.

[Banrion]

In my personal experience, to get a good tipping bartending job, you NEED major experience. After I had a mild beginning of life crisis and dropped out of college, I sunk money into a fancy schmancy bartending school. While I did learn alot, it didn't count for jack in the real world. About the only places I could get a job were places like Elks Club & Knights of Columbus, and the tips were crap because these people pay to be there, and the drinks are hella cheap, and most people are "regulars" who eventually think of you more as a friend than a server and "forget" to tip.

Besides that what Jester said, you can start out as a server and try to work into it.

[Jester]

As the Semi-Official Bartender of CS.com (not to mention the Official Drunk), I'd like to add some more to the above.

First, bartending school is an utter waste of money. Bartending is 95% personality, something they do not (and in my opinion CANNOT) teach in those schools. Making drinks? Yes, some are better than others (I did win my very first "make a new cocktail" bartending contest, thank you very much), but in the end, it is something you can learn rather easily.

Now, if you do want to do that, AND you want to make some money, AND you want a more flexible schedule, I would suggest finding a place that has bartenders and cocktail waitresses, and applying for the latter position, letting management know you are interested in the former position at some point. Cocktail servers make serious cash, and you would be in a position to get behind the bar at some point.

Will you have to deal with obnoxious troglodytes trying to grab you every way from Sunday? Yes. No job is perfect. Those who are good at it find ways to deal with said toads without endangering their jobs or pissing off customers. And yes, that in itself is an art form. (And the subtlety involved is probably why I am guessing Mysty never worked as a cocktail server. And I mean that as a compliment, Mysty, so don't go all ninja on my ass.)

Hope it all works out for you. :cheers:

[MystyGlyttyr]

(And the subtlety involved is probably why I am guessing Mysty never worked as a cocktail server. And I mean that as a compliment, Mysty, so don't go all ninja on my ass.)

No offense taken. Hell, I didn't last two weeks as a waitress at fracking Waffle House before I assaulted someone. I can't begin to imagine how bad off I would be in one of those places where you can't get away with threatening somebody's manhood with the waffle iron.

Still, those with a slightly less happy trigger-finger than me might be well-suited for a cocktail waitress job, and I hear that if you're really good at it, you can utterly rake in the tips.

[Camry178]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. As for the a$$holes and jerks, as long as they're tipping me I can deal. I have to deal w/ them now and I don't get anything extra for it.:lol:

[Greenday]

They don't always, and they're still customers..

Yea, and they don't need full glasses or beer without a lot of head...

I'm looking to get into the bartending scene myself. My mom's co-worker bartends part-time and offered to show me the ropes of bartending. Since I'm probably going to be forced to go back to the racetrack, I'm thinking of taking her up on it.

[draftermatt]

I'm not a bartender, but my wife worked with an ex-bartender. The only problem she had with the job was pregnant women. Apparently more drink than you would believe and she was not allowed to refuse them.

Something to chew on because I know it bothers me so it probably would bother you too.

[TeslaRecoil]

Hey Camry ... glad to see a local on here ...

From what I've seen around the island, it's not easy to come in off the street, especially with no experience. You're gonna get stuck as a server or some kindof runner until a spot opens up, and then you'll be lucky to get in.

You might be able to get a job in some local dive bar, the one where your only customers are the same three drunks glued to the same three stools day in and day out. You won't make big money there, but it's a start. A cousin of mine did it that way, and now she's in demand all over LI, making up to $400 per night cash.

If you're looking for a place to get started, PM me and I'll see if I can recommend anything.