Forget About Bartending Without This Ingredient

A common question I get asked by people wanting to get into bartending is…

“How many drinks do I have to know to be a bartender?”

I too was concerned about this when I set foot into the industry. I soon found out it was an unnecessary concern to have.

While fundamentally bartending is about making and serving drinks, being a great bartender is so much more. Without a great attitude and a personality your mixology skills mean nothing.

Attitude is primary, mixology skills are secondary.

A bartender with a great attitude and personality can always get around not knowing a drink, where a master mixologist with a bad attitude is hopeless. Mixology can be taught, but a bad attitude is very difficult to change.

So to those wanting to step behind the wood, don’t worry about not knowing 100 drinks, 50 drinks, or even 20 drinks! It’s your attitude that matters. Attitude is the most important ingredient to have as a bartender.

Even I get asked for drinks that I’ve never heard of, realize that you’ll never, ever know ‘em all.


Posted in Random | 1 Comment »

The 3 Biggest Lies of Bartending

In my time as a bartender, I’ve come across what I like to call the “3 Biggest Lies of Bartending”.

A long time ago before I set foot into this industry, I was convinced by others that the following were “requirements” in order to become a successful bartender. Well, I’ve had great success in this industry, and let me tell you, I got there without any of the so called “requirements” listed below, and you can too.

So here they are…

Bartending Lie #1

You need to know hundreds of drink recipes to be a great bartender.

Nothing could be further from the truth! I make the same twenty drinks every night at the nightclub I currently work.

Sure, there are drinks other than those twenty that get requested once in awhile, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. If I get “stumped”, I’ll ask the bartender I’m working with, look it up in the recipe guide, or ask the customer.

Yeah, that’s right, if all else fails, ASK THE CUSTOMER how to make it. There’s no need to have an ego around this. If the customer doesn’t know, I’ll try and narrow down a color/flavor and make them one of my specialties, which they end up liking better anyway.

No matter what type of establishment you work or want to work at, they’ll have a base of twenty or so drinks that are asked for, not hundreds.

Sure, it’s nice to have a some killer drink recipes up your sleeve when someone asks “make me something good”. But you don’t have to know hundreds of drinks before you step behind the wood. There’s no need to numb your brain studying recipe books in order to become a money-making bartender.

Bartending Lie #2

You need a Bartending “Certificate” or “License” to tend bar.

Now, I’m not sure where this concept came into existence (although it sure benefits bartending schools) but there is absolutely, positively NO LAW that requires you to have a license or certificate to bartend.

While many states and provinces require an alcohol awareness certification to ensure responsible service, realize this is required by all service staff in the industry and is issued by the government for a fraction of the cost of a bartending school tuition.

I’ve got nothing against bartending schools, they are a great way to get your foot in the door and get confident behind the bar, but their “certificates” aren’t mandatory in order to bartend.

Bartending Lie #3

You need to “pay your dues” and work as a barback for years in order to bartend at a hot spot raking in the big bucks.

This is absolute bull! I know so many bartenders that got behind the bar faster than you can imagine.

If you think it takes years, it will take you years. If you believe there’s a better and faster way, you’ll find one. Either way, you’ll prove yourself right.


Posted in Random | No Comments »

Major Revamp Taking Place

What’s up everyone?

Lots of exciting developments going on here! Just finished doing a major revamp of the website. I’m thrilled with what the designers put together, they did an amazing job… such a drastic improvement over the previous one.

Let me know what you think! If you discover any glitches please use the Contact Us form and shoot us a quick message letting us know what’s up.

Talk soon,

Jeremy


Posted in Random | 2 Comments »

Take What is Given

Here’s a portion of an email I received from a student today that I thought I should feature here as it’s a topic I see come up often…

————————–
“Hey Jeremy

I just graduated from a bartending school and went in for an interview today, so hopefully I will be employed at the holiday inn but I still want to work at a nightclub with benifits and I don’t want to start off as a waitress. The school I went to was really good, the only bad thing I have to say is that she keeps sending me to restuarants that are slow and lounges and I specifically told her that I wanted to work at a nightclub or hotel close to the airport in GA so we will see.”

-Cheneal
————————–

MY RESPONSE >>>

Hi Cheneal,

One thing I always advise my students to do is take what job offers are provided to them, even though they may not be the “ideal” bartending job for you at the time. Nightclubs are generally harder to get into because those high paying jobs are in higher demand. So by getting a bartending job in restaurant or lounge, you’re at least getting your foot in the door and gaining experience.

I’m not suggesting you take the job and settle, by all means continue to search for your ideal bartending position. When it shows up, then you can simply let your current job go.

The bottom line is, bartending somewhere is better than bartending nowhere.

This advice applies to getting a barback position at a busy nightclub as well. Sometimes that’s all these places have available or offer as entry level positions. Get in as a barback with the intent to eventually bartend. If after sometime they’re not showing interest in promoting you, then let it go. But at least you’re playing the cards dealt to you and getting yourself out there.

All the best,

Jeremy


Posted in Q & A | No Comments »

Benefits of a Bartending Course vs. the Make Money Bartending Program

Here’s a question from Gan I received in an email today:

————————–
“Hey how u doing? I’m 18 yrs old. I came to US 3 yrs ago I really want to be a bartender. I don’t have any experience. I was thinking of go to bartending course but I just read about your program. If I’d buy your program do I have to go to course? Do u think bars are gonna hire me after all I read and practice learn from your program?”
————————–

MY RESPONSE >>>

Hi Gan,

In the perfect scenerio, taking a course AND purchasing my program would give you the greatest advantage.

A bartending class gives you the confidence of handling bottles, pouring drinks, and working your way around a bar.

My program offers you strategies beyond just mixology. Crucial aspects of landing and keeping a bartending job such as creating a killer resume, efficiency on the job, increasing your tips, and suggestive selling.

Cheers,

Jeremy


Posted in Q & A | No Comments »