Bartender duties and responsibilities
Bartenders need to finish tasks quickly so that businesses can serve more customers. They help ensure that guests are pleased, engage them in conversation, and encourage them to spend more time at, and make additional purchases from, the establishment. Duties and responsibilities for a Bartender may include:
- Collecting payments from customers
- Operating point of sale terminals and providing bills to customers
- Cleaning the bar and the area around it
- Hiring and training new employees
- Operating blenders, coffee makers, ice cream makers, and other equipment
- Washing glassware and bar utensils
- Monitoring bar inventory and ordering supplies and ingredients when needed
- Ensuring compliance with federal, provincial or territorial liquor and food safety regulations
Bartender skills and qualifications
Successful Bartenders usually have friendly personalities and the ability to interact with many different types of people. They can be professional while being entertaining and encouraging a fun atmosphere. Bartenders may need to stand for long periods and do physical work like moving heavy boxes. Some establishments require uniforms or specific dress codes for bartenders. Top skills and qualifications for Bartenders include:
- Outstanding customer service skills
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Basic math skills and the ability to keep track of customer tabs
- Food safety and preparation skills including an understanding of how viruses and bacteria can spread
- Mixology or the ability to make traditional cocktails and create new ones
- Familiarity with local liquor laws and the ability to enforce them
Bartender experience requirements
Most Bartender jobs require at least a year of bartending experience or experience as a Server, Host or Hostess, or Front Desk Agent. It is not uncommon for entry-level Bartender jobs without requirements of any prior experience, though.
Bartender education and training requirements
Most Bartender jobs require a secondary school diploma, and some look for applicants who completed bartending school or a bartending course. Many provinces and territories also require a license or certification for Bartenders who serve alcohol. Bartenders who also serve food will need additional food safety certification. It’s common for employers to provide on-the-job training for Bartenders.
Bartender salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Bartender is $14.09 per hour. Individual pay levels vary depending on experience, education levels, the company, and the location of the position.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Bartender isn’t exactly what your company is looking for, here are some similar job description samples that could satisfy your needs: