My Interview Got 86'd: Part Two
What is the employment outlook for Bartenders these days? Good? Bad? Why? How does one find work?
As far as I know, bar business has only been improving since the days of Prohibition. The economy doesn't affect a bartender as much as other workers. When times are good, people drink to celebrate; when times are bad, people drink to mourn. The restaurant/bar industry is the 2nd largest employer in the U.S., second only to the government, with a projected 1 million establishments within the decade.
As bars grow and expand there will be much opportunity at the entry-level. However, it also means that things are more competitive on the high-end. Bars, as well as bartenders, find themselves needing to do more to distinguish themselves from everyone else in their field. Flair bartending, a style of bartending that incorporates throws, catches, dance, and juggling, is just one niche that has evolved to compete in an ever-competitive market.
Also, since bartending is generally seen as a low-skilled trade requiring little or no education, there are fewer barriers to entry. Competition at the entry-level of the market can be excessive, especially in a slow economy as workers look to supplement a full-time income with a part-time job bartending.
What factors can affect the salary of a Bartender? Is it all tips and a base wage? Sports bars vs hotels bars etc...
Many things affect the salary of a bartender. In my career, I've made a wage as little as $3/hour plus tips and as much as $12/hour plus tips. Bartenders truly depend on tips. Oftentimes my paychecks are $0 after taxes, so whatever I've brought home at the end of the night is ultimately my take-home pay.
It's a common notion that high-end, fancy, or exclusive establishments provide the best opportunity for a bartender to make money. While that may be true for a few places, I'll take a busy bar over a five star establishment any day of the week, twice on Sunday. Bartending is a sales job, and good commission is better dependent on volume rather than a few expensive sales. Busy is key.
I don't have a source to site this, but I've heard a few times that when the Green Bay Packers win, the bartenders/servers in Green Bay make about 30-50% more than if they lose. Makes sense, people celebrating are more generous with their tips. On occasion, the money you make has little to do with you or your work, but rather right-place right-time situations. When I lived in Las Vegas, I discovered it was custom in local establishments for the video poker players to tip the bartender 10% of their winnings – after all, drinks are free. A bartender friend of mine would make $150 one night and $1500 the next. Those kind of instances aside, there's something to be said about building a following and creating a rapport with your patron base that will definitely increase your income. Also, bars have their own vibe or personality. Find a bar that fits your personality and you will optimize your income.
Can you recall any humorous or memorable moments as a Bartender?
Sure. Almost every week has something funny or memorable. The excitement and lack of routine is one of the reasons I've stayed with the profession so long. During three years at the Comedy Club on State, I met Pauly Shore, Louie Anderson, Tommy Chong, and hundreds of lesser-known but insanely funny comedians. Last weekend, I chatted with the actress Juliette Lewis for a second while she was locked out of the venue where her band was playing. Once, at a horse track, I got to serve my childhood baseball hero from the MN Twins, Kirby Puckett. He was a great tipper – though it might've had something to do with management comping his $100 tab.
Generally, however, the most hysterical and memorable moments have nothing to do with anyone famous, just the usual patrons in the bar. Watching people for ten hours a night, four nights a week for a decade – especially people who have been socially lubricated by alcohol - is a study in human behavior and psychology. I've seen people at their best and worst. I've been tipped in drugs (no thanks) and tipped in women's underwear (thank you!) I've been sucker-punched in the face for simply doing my job. However, the truly worthwhile and memorable moments usually have to do with coworkers. Meeting and working with people from all over the world, at all ends of the age spectrum, from all different backgrounds, has been one of the more profound and rewarding experiences of my lifetime.
I've been fortunate enough to compete in bartending competitions, from Minneapolis to Cleveland to Windsor, Canada. I've met and competed with some of the best bartenders from around the world – Rodrigo Delpech, Ati Tedesco, Martin Janica, Rodrigo Cao. And I've found the ones at the top of their profession are some of the warmest and most welcoming people in the world. A career spent catering to others' needs will do that.
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Reader Comments (4)
It's a common notion that high-end, fancy, or exclusive establishments provide the best opportunity for a bartender to make money. While that may be true for a few places, I'll take a busy bar over a five star establishment any day of the week, twice on Sunday. Bartending is a sales job, and good commission is better dependent on volume rather than a few expensive sales. Busy is key
Maybe the hardest thing to explain to a bar owner.. This alone will help many bartenders make more money..
You are truly a fantastic writer that really can explain to the layman what it is to be you. Keep up the good work and know that there will always be an audience that wants to know the thoughts that run through your head.
Great interview, screw the reporter guy, at least you have some more quality, solid content to add to your site.
You definitely provide a realistic and interesting view of the bar industry, fun to read.
You are an inspiration. Good interview - keep plugging away! I like your training videos, maybe I'll give it a shot too.