Book
Bartending for Dummies
A trusted manual for new or budding baristas with over 1000 drink recipes and clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
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Bartender
Bartenders are at the forefront of social and drinking culture, crafting and innovating in the drinks industry and creating exciting environments and experiences. You might think that bartending just involves preparing and serving drinks, building and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere and delivering excellent service. But it's much more than that! Bartenders are skilled in crafting beverages with great presentation, from classic cocktails to modern creations, working with trends to adapt to customer needs and preferences when it comes to drinks. The social side of the job is where bartenders shine, engaging with customers and crafting drinks and experiences to make their nights.
With diverse opportunities across bars, restaurants, events, and hotels, bartending could be your entry into a dynamic career path in hospitality.
With diverse opportunities across bars, restaurants, events, and hotels, bartending could be your entry into a dynamic career path in hospitality.
Summary
If you’re personable, social and adaptable with a creative flair, bartending could be an enjoyable and rewarding career.
Bartenders are at the heart of the bars they work in, preparing carefully crafted drinks with precision and flair while creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers. Bartenders are masters of classic cocktails and use mixology skills and know-how to experiment and craft creative recipes.
Bartenders often manage stock, ensure cleanliness and safety, and provide responsible alcohol service by checking customer IDs and monitoring for signs of intoxication. Good bartenders are organised with great attention to detail and are responsible for understanding and following all legal and licensing regulations.
Many bartenders specialise in areas such as mixology, and wine or beer expertise, while others focus on performance with flair bartending. No specific qualifications are needed to start out as a bartender, though experience in customer service, taking bartending courses or gaining certifications can boost employment prospects. Career progression options include moving into management and becoming a bar supervisor, deputy manager or bar manager, or even opening their own bar.
Many bartenders work in one establishment part-time or full-time, but the role does offer flexibility with opportunities in diverse settings like high-end restaurants, hotels, venues, and events.
Bartenders are at the heart of the bars they work in, preparing carefully crafted drinks with precision and flair while creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers. Bartenders are masters of classic cocktails and use mixology skills and know-how to experiment and craft creative recipes.
Bartenders often manage stock, ensure cleanliness and safety, and provide responsible alcohol service by checking customer IDs and monitoring for signs of intoxication. Good bartenders are organised with great attention to detail and are responsible for understanding and following all legal and licensing regulations.
Many bartenders specialise in areas such as mixology, and wine or beer expertise, while others focus on performance with flair bartending. No specific qualifications are needed to start out as a bartender, though experience in customer service, taking bartending courses or gaining certifications can boost employment prospects. Career progression options include moving into management and becoming a bar supervisor, deputy manager or bar manager, or even opening their own bar.
Many bartenders work in one establishment part-time or full-time, but the role does offer flexibility with opportunities in diverse settings like high-end restaurants, hotels, venues, and events.
Responsibilities
A bartender is responsible for pouring and crafting drinks, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining a welcoming bar atmosphere. Their key responsibilities are as follows:
Preparing and serving drinks. Mixing and serving various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, beers, and wines, according to recipes and customer preferences. Maintaining consistency and quality in drink preparation.
Engaging with customers. Interacting with customers to take orders, recommend drinks, and ensure a positive experience. Building rapport and fostering a friendly and inviting bar environment.
Managing bar inventory. Keeping track of stock levels for spirits, mixers, garnishes, and other supplies. Restocking the bar as needed and coordinating with suppliers for inventory replenishment.
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Cleaning bar surfaces, bar tools, and glassware to uphold hygiene standards. Ensuring the bar complies with health and safety regulations at all times.
Handling transactions. Processing payments accurately, managing tabs, and balancing the cash register at the end of the shift. Ensuring all transactions comply with company policies.
Ensuring responsible alcohol service. Keeping track of customer alcohol consumption and adhering to laws regarding serving alcohol. Politely refusing service to intoxicated customers and ensuring the safety of all patrons.
Key skills & traits
The best bartenders possess a range of skills, including drink-crafting expertise, strong interpersonal and communication abilities, and an eye for detail. Their efficiency, creativity, friendliness and professionalism enables them to deliver excellent service.
Drink preparation skills.
Confident in mixing and serving a wide range of beverages, from classic cocktails to modern twists and custom creations. Knowledge of techniques, garnishes, and tools to ensure consistency and quality in each drink.
Drinks knowledge.
A comprehensive understanding of spirits, wines, beers, and mixers, including flavour profiles and pairings. Staying updated on industry trends and new products.
Cash handling and Mathematics.
Competent maths and cash handling skills for processing payments, managing tabs, and providing correct change. Balancing cash registers accurately at the end of the day.
Teamwork and cooperation.
Working within a team and coordinating with barbacks, service staff, and management to ensure the smooth running of the bar. Flexibility to switch tasks and support colleagues, especially in busier peak times.
Customer service.
Strong interpersonal skills to engage with customers, take orders and provide tailored recommendations. The ability to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for all patrons of the bar.
Attention to detail.
A precise approach to measurements, drink presentation, and order accuracy. Ensuring that garnishes, glassware, and drink aesthetics meet high and consistent standards.
Time management.
Managing time effectively to prioritise customer service while keeping the bar clean, stocked, and organised, with prep and restocks carried out before busy periods.
Communication skills.
Clear and confident verbal communication to engage customers, explain drink options and menu items, upsell specials, and handle customer inquiries. Active listening skills to understand and fulfil customer preferences.
Multitasking.
Comfortably managing multiple orders and customer interactions in a busy environment. Working efficiently while staying composed and organised under pressure, especially during peak hours.
Hygiene and safety awareness.
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the bar area, tools, and glassware. Keeping up to date with and following all food safety and alcohol regulations, including recognising signs of intoxication in customers.
Education & qualifications
There are no specific academic qualifications for becoming a bartender, it is a very accessible career path. Many bartenders start in entry-level roles and gain the necessary skills through practical experience and on-the-job training. Some bars will hire junior bartenders, while others will start new hires as barbacks and waiters so they gain experience in drink preparation, customer interaction, and bar operations to prepare for a bartending role.
While formal qualifications are not required, completing bartending courses and gaining certifications, such as those from the UK Bartenders’ Guild or similar organisations, can improve your career prospects. These programs cover essential skills like cocktail mixing, bar management, responsible alcohol service, and knowledge of legal requirements. Many colleges offer advanced qualifications, such as NVQs/SVQs in Hospitality or Food and Beverage Service, which may also benefit applicants.
For those new to the drinks and hospitality industry, an engaging personality, strong customer service skills, and a willingness to work flexible hours (including evenings and weekends) are highly valued and sought-after. As bartenders gain more experience, they can pursue opportunities to specialise in mixology, move into bar and hospitality management, or consult for high-end establishments.
While formal qualifications are not required, completing bartending courses and gaining certifications, such as those from the UK Bartenders’ Guild or similar organisations, can improve your career prospects. These programs cover essential skills like cocktail mixing, bar management, responsible alcohol service, and knowledge of legal requirements. Many colleges offer advanced qualifications, such as NVQs/SVQs in Hospitality or Food and Beverage Service, which may also benefit applicants.
For those new to the drinks and hospitality industry, an engaging personality, strong customer service skills, and a willingness to work flexible hours (including evenings and weekends) are highly valued and sought-after. As bartenders gain more experience, they can pursue opportunities to specialise in mixology, move into bar and hospitality management, or consult for high-end establishments.
Lifestyle
A bartending career offers a social and creative lifestyle. Bartenders thrive in busy and fast-paced environments, meeting people from all walks of life and often building strong connections with regular customers. Bartenders typically work evening and weekend shifts, which works well for night owls and people who prefer non-traditional hours. Many bartenders find the role rewarding, combining their creativity in crafting drinks with the satisfaction of providing great experiences for their customers. Opportunities to work in exciting venues, at a range of events and to travel for seasonal roles adds to the appeal of this career path.
0%
Remote SuitedA bartender works in-person at a bar or other hospitality location, so it is not suitable for remote working.
50%
StressfulThis job can be stressful during busy shifts, handling unexpected issues and challenging customers, all while maintaining professionalism under pressure.
60%
Work Life BlanceWhile bartenders typically work set shifts and do not have to take their work home with them, working long shifts and antisocial hours late at night impact their work-life balance.
Our collection of reviews from industry professionals have scored being a bartender as 4.0 out of 5 on average.
45/hrs
WeeklyFull-time bartenders typically work 40 or more hours per week, often including evenings, late nights and weekends.
Salary data
The average salary for a bartender in the UK is £25,000. Entry-level bar staff can expect to earn around £18,000 per year, while senior bartenders earn around £30,000. It is not uncommon to be paid an hourly rate, as hours may vary from week to week.
£18,000
Entry
£25,000
Average
£30,000
Senior
Career path
The career path of a bartender has diverse opportunities, starting with entry-level bartending, service and barback positions and moving up the ranks into management and specialist roles. Bartenders often start as trainee bar staff, learning customer service, drink preparation, and bar operations on the job. There is no requirement for formal qualifications or education, but there are certifications in mixology, health and safety, or responsible alcohol service that can improve employability and skills.
Barback
This entry-level role focuses on supporting more senior bar staff, restocking supplies, and maintaining bar cleanliness while learning the foundations of bartending. This is a great starting point for gaining hands-on experience and knowledge.
Bartender
As bartenders gain experience, they develop expertise and specialisms in mixology, customer service, and low-level management. They craft cocktails, recommend drink pairings, and build rapport with patrons, representing and often being the face of the establishment.
Lead Bartender or Mixologist
Lead bartenders have additional responsibilities, such as training and mentoring junior staff in mixology and designing signature cocktails. Specialist mixologists will focus on crafting unique and premium beverages. These position is more commonly found in specialist bars (such as cocktail bars) or high-end restaurants.
Bar Manager
With experience, bartenders can move up into management roles. Bar managers oversee staffing and schedules, and manage inventory and finances. A bar manager role requires strong leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills.
A bartender has many opportunities for career progression, and the above represents some of these paths. Other opportunities include working in a diverse range of environments, including luxury hotels, cocktail bars, nightclubs, corporate events and even on cruises. Some bartenders may climb the ladder into management, while others may sidestep to other hospitality roles such as restaurant manager, hotel manager or in customer service.
History of the profession
People have been employed to serve drinks to others since ancient times - and often the role of the bartender includes so much more than this. In the space of a single evening, a bartender can be a crowd-pleaser, a confidante and a cocktail shaker, and surely will be for many years to come.
Reviews
We think that one of the best ways to figure out if a job is for you is to get advice from other people, so we've collected these reviews to help you make your decision!
Bartender
Jen
I love my job, it’s the most coveted job in the restaurant I work in and I feel lucky to have it. I started out as a server a year ago and helped out on the bar during some shifts, so when a bartender position came up I was an easy hire for the manager. I’m training in mixology and love the creativity and craftsmanship of bartending. Plus the tips are great. The only downsides are super busy shifts where things get a bit chaotic, and when customers are rude or get a little out of hand. In the future, I’m hoping to move into management, but I’m happy where I am at the moment.
💰£27,000Annual
salary
salary
💼40Weekly hours
🏝️0%Remote suited
🤷♀️30%Stressful
⚖️90%Work life balance
Bartender
Matt
I’ve been working as a barman for 2 years at a pub. I love the social side of the job, I have lots of interesting conversations with patrons and have some regulars that I’ve got to know well. I love knowing a regular’s drink of choice and starting to make it when I see them come in, before they ask. The pub is open daytime and evening, so my shifts vary, but I try to take afternoon and evening shifts so that I can get my own stuff done in the mornings and have more work-life balance. The only things I’d improve about my job are the wages, but I’m hoping to move up and earn more soon.
💰£24,000Annual
salary
salary
💼45Weekly hours
🏝️0%Remote suited
🤷♀️60%Stressful
⚖️70%Work life balance
Mixologist
James
I love working as a Mixologist, it’s a sought-after role and I have been able to work at some high-end establishments in London. I get the royal treatment at other bars where people know me, I get to meet lots of great people and go to all the best after-parties. The money is better than some standard bartender roles due to my training, skills and expertise, getting trained is the best choice I ever made. In my current job, I am the resident cocktail wizard, I make interesting and exciting cocktails all day, as well as helping to teach and train new hires.
💰£30,000Annual
salary
salary
💼50Weekly hours
🏝️0%Remote suited
🤷♀️20%Stressful
⚖️90%Work life balance
Resources
Want to learn more about being a bartender? We’ve put together some resources to help you learn more about the drinks and hospitality industries and prepare for a career in bartending.
Book
Bartending Inside-Out: The Guide To Profession, Profit and Fun
A concise reference book for full and part-time bartenders offering “the tools to achieve success”. This guide covers the need-to-know basics on spirits, the best glassware for each drink and the core essentials of bartending customer service. It has over 125 cocktail recipes.
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Podcast
The Speakeasy
Three industry hosts talk cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, tea, coffee, and more in this weekly podcast. Episodes feature industry enthusiasts and experts in mixology, bar history, distillation, and brewing.
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Course
International Bartender Course
The European Bartending School calls this “the world’s most popular bartender course, provided by the world’s largest bartender school.” This 4 week course gives students the equivalent of 6 months of cocktail bar experience where they will master over 65 classic cocktails.
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Course
Online Bartending Course
The European Bartending School offers online courses on a range of bartending topics. There are basic, intermediate and specialised courses to suit all levels and empower students to specialise in the topic of their choice. All courses provide a certificate upon completion.
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Article
Raising the Bar: What It Takes To Succeed as a Bartender Today
This article from VinePair explores modern bartending and the challenges and rewards of the ever-evolving profession.
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Specialisms
Bartenders can specialise in areas of their profession, developing specific skills or focusing on aspects of the role to further their careers. Below are some popular specialisms in bartending.
Regulatory bodies
Several licensing and legal requirements impact bartenders and those in the bartending profession.