Help with Bartending ?

[NySportsfan]

Whats up guys,
Wanted to see if someone could help me here, It's kind of a 2 part question...Since I derive most of my income from capping, and independent contractor jobs ie:newspaper delivery and other "odd jobs" that have flexible hours as not to be tied down so I couldnt handicap, I wanted to take up bartending. I know, they have schools for it, but I don't have the time to go to it, and I'm a fast learner, and I've been to a million bars and pretty much know all the drinks, just would need to study the odd ones, but you can always ask them if it's a weird one in a nice way, I doubt they'd be offended, at least anywhere I've been. I also am well-versed in talking sports, have a good personality, can discuss lines etc with guys who bet and such, and feel I could do a good job.....My question is, Is bartending school absolutely necessary? If I walked into a bunch of places, explained my situation and my strenghts/weaknesses, would someone take a chance on me? Of course I'd hafta start doing shitty afternoon shifts w/low pay, but eventually you work your way up
Secondly, do any of you know bar owners in either NY, western Fla, or San Diego, as those are the 3 places Im going to be choosing from living in in the near future. I'd love answers from fellow MJ'ers, I know older friends have told me they did it years back, w/o any kind of school, and they learned on the job, and were fast learners and taught themselves.....Im hoping for some good answers in this thread, I know all of you Madjackers have spent many waking hours in bars! Whether you remember most of those hours, is another story. LOL, i enjoy the site, thanks in advance for the replies

Michael

 

[Mickstr68]

Been bartending for about 11 years now mostly in florida and chicago clubs. First off- I never recommend bartending schools. My experience is that bartending school is considered a joke amongst the clubs. In many cases, I've seen the application thrown away as soon as a bartending school is listed. I hear there are cities that require a schooling but I've never personally come across one- who knows, could be a bar urban legend- LOL.

Anyways, my recommendation is get a job with a franchise chain type place that will teach you drinks, working with registers, proper pour techniques and other typical bartending duties. Places like Applebees, Chili's, and TGI fridays all have in house training. Now, you cannot expect to slide right into good money shifts- they won't give them to you. There is a huge amount of competition amongst bartenders in house and the sh%t usually hits the fan when a rookie is typically given a veteran shift.

You will most likely have to train during lunch shifts and that usually translates to low income. Just keep in mind that this first job should be used as stepping stone. However, after a month or so after beginning you should have an idea if this is for you. It's all fun and games from the customer side of the bar, but it can be sweaty work from the other side. After a month or so, you might find that you really like working at this first place and it has good potential for you, then be wide open schedule wise. Let everyone know if they need a night off, no matter what shift, that you are available at a moments notice. One thing I have found to be true is that bartenders love the fact that at most places you are free enough to take off a shift as long as it can be covered in a moments notice. Plus your manager will see you are there for the place of business and not just for yourself.

After a couple months or so you could also speak with the manager and ask for a higher volume shift in order to prove yourself and your skills. If you take this route, you better be sure you can handle it. Failing after asking for a chance will surely doom you to permanent lunch shifts.

If after a couple months at this first place you think it will be a permanent dog for you, then move on and embellish your resume with the amount of time you have been working at the first job. What ever it takes to land the more desireable job.

Night clubs are where the most amount of money is going to be for you. They are not the easiest to get into. Many times you have to know someone- especially if you are a guy. Ladies have it easier- in fact the trend is many night clubs are going to an all female bartending staff. Many bar themes are revolving around the all female service staff. There are obviously exceptions to the above paragraph but if you show a good positive personality you should be able to land the job.

Maybe a sports bar could be for you or a smaller hometown type bar that turns into a more clubby atmosphere at night.

Your other question about knowing bar owners, I know several in the Orlando area and some in Chicago and some in the Sarasota area. It's more importantly to get to know the General managers than it is the owners. However, If you are interested in the Sarasota area, I might be able to make some recomendations.

Best of luck! The great thing about bartending is that there are always jobs available for these positions anywhere you go! Great way to get started in a new area.

 

[beantownjim]

I SUGGEST YOU START LIFTING WEIGHTS THEN GO TO ANY GAY BAR THEY LOVE MEN WHO ARE IN SHAPE.YOU PRETEND YOUR A FAG FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN THE OWNER WILL COME ON TO YOU THATS WHEN YOU CALL YOUR LAWYER AND SUE THE HOMO FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS HOW DOES THIS SOUND.I DONT KNOW YOU SO IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY A FAG YOU MIGHT WANT THE GAY OWNER TO COME ON TO YOU THEN YOU WILL GET ALL THE OVERTIME YOU WANT AND YOU CAN MAKE A SCORE.

BOTTOM LINE F-CK THE BARTENDERS SCHOOL BEEF UP YOUR BODY AND BECOME A FAG THESE GAY BARS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FAG BARTENDERS.:moon:

WOULD THE LAST AMERICAN LEAVING SOUTH BOSTON PLEASE GRAB THE FLAG (THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING)

 

[Mickstr68]

You know what- sounds like Beantown knows first handed what he is talking about. Take his advice instead of mine.

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

WOULD THE LAST AMERICAN LEAVING SOUTH BOSTON PLEASE GRAB THE FLAG (THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING)

:lol:

 

[dogface]

In Minnesota and Wisconsin you need a Bartender's license, so some education in the area is required!

 

[NySportsfan]

Thanks a lot Mickstr, Your reply was well taken. Like I said, I was sure, without real "experience" they'd slide you into the day-time shift. But you're saying at TGI Fridays, Applebees, etc, they wll train people, which is good.... Sports bars I think would be my best shot though, because I can talk useless sports trivia with anyone, as well as discuss this weekends football gms, my opinions, listen to theirs of course, etc etc, I've done that many a time, its amazing what sports can do....So far as bartending school, Im glad they dont consider that at least i the big cities you've been to. It's a farce IMO, just like higher education w/o wanting to be a doctor, lawyer, or specific job where college is needed, I've ALWAYS thought i someone was smart enough and worked hard enough, they could make it in what they wanted to ithout bullshit education, which often times people graduate from, gaining very little.
So far as knowing bar owners, I apreciate it, but you say GM's are the way to go.... I may be moving to Naples, which is west coast, dont know how far from sarasota and such but only there b/c a cousin of mine's "partner", owns a mortgage broker firm, and I may go to school for it... I know ft myers is close, but dont know about orlando and sarasota, think they're farther, but Im on the young side, and like money, willing to do almost anything.....so far as beantown JIM, LOL Ill pass, I dont wanna be picked up by guys, but hey, if the moneys good enough, Ill shoot the breeze w/a bunch of gay guys, pay me enough, LOL, I can act for good cash...Thanks for the replies, It's appreciated greatly, hope to here more, sorry for the typos, my keyboard is fked up...Lata


Michael

 

[THE KOD]

...................................

beantownjim was reported to have been seen carrying one of these out of the Local Y he attends.

It was stated that beaner had been going to a local bartending school and the gym bag was stuffed with his favorite fruit drinks.


KOD

 

[THE KOD]

Mick

good read on the bartending advice. My brother was a bartender and made alot of extra money doing card tricks and magic at the bar. People tipped him so well he took the show on the road.


KOD

 

[Mickstr68]

I work with a guy that is similar. His bartending skills aren't top notch but he wins people over with his magic skills. Know another guy who wins people over with a new riddle or napkin puzzle for customers to solve each week. A third wins customers over with his bottle "flair".

Now that's an exception to the bartending school. If one would like to learn bottle flips and other bartender flair there is a school called "showtenders" which is a great place to learn from. They specialize in teaching the bartender how to spin, flip and juggle several botles.