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The Roles And Responsibilities of a Bartender

Bartenders are generally responsible for serving and mixing drinks for customers. They should generally be able to mix and match ingredients to create innovative and classic drinks based on the needs and expectations of the customer. Bartenders usually work at restaurants, bars, and other establishments. For much of their income, bartenders depend on tips.

To become a bartender, you don’t need to have a formal education, but you have to complete some sort of training on the job. While some restaurants have a higher age requirement, most states have a minimum age requirement of 18. Below is a rundown of the roles and responsibilities of a bartender. This job is similar to working as a waitress or working in a restaurant in general.

1. Taking Drink Orders

The primary function of a bartender is taking drink orders, preparing mixed drinks, and delivering basic service to the patrons at the bar. In the more upscale restaurants, the bartender has to fill diverse drink orders and is therefore expected to have a wide range of drink acumen. As the bartender receives the order, they are expected to check the identification of any customer who they suspect might be under the legal drinking age of 21. Some bars and restaurants have a policy of checking the identification of all customers under the age of 40.

2. Setting up the Bar

Another major responsibility of the bartender is to set up the bar area when the shift starts. This may entail loading the ice machines, filling the glassware, putting out ashtrays and snacks, removing clutter left from the previous shift, organizing the necessary tools like the bottle openers, shakers, pitchers, and cutlery. For some restaurants, the bartenders help out in setting up the tables, and placing menus in the bar and waiting area.

3. Handling Cash

It’s the role of bartenders to manage the payment transactions on the drink orders. This entails receiving cash, giving change, getting signatures on receipts, and processing credit card transactions. It’s therefore very important to maintain a high level of accuracy, so that the drawer is in line with orders. A point-of-sale technology is commonly used in most bars, so the bartenders need to have an ability to enter orders through the POS system. It’s also critical to have integrity in giving change and handling tips, to avoid light cash drawers and offending customers.

4. Tear Down

Each bartenders is also required to clean up and tear down after their shift ends. All the dishes and silverware has to be loaded into the dishwasher, and trashed removed from the counter. It’s also the bartender’s role to put away all of the equipment, snacks, ashtrays, and other items in the bar. Bar-backs and bar assistants might be assigned to help the bartender with the routine activities, but the bartenders usually oversee the completion of these tasks. This job can also be a fantastic way to earn money on the weekend.

5. Social Interaction

A key informal role played by the bartender is as a social confidante, as depicted in TV and movies. In the more relaxed bar, the bartenders may have to interact a bit with the customers, since some people come to the bar for stress relief. You can fetch some good tips by being a good listener, and by maintaining a positive and friendly attitude. Moreover, bartenders have to be assertive to prepare customers for closing time or “Last Call” and cutting off customers who have had too many drinks and have become incapacitated.