Bartending for fun and profit

[Maverick2002]

I'm considering bartending as a second part-time job, 1-2x/week. It's something I've always been interested in, but never actually explored. Has anyone here bartended? I'd like to hear your experiences, pros/cons and general thoughts. Also, I have no experience.

Thanks in advance!

 

[IronWing]

Do you like dealing with drunk people? If you live in a place that allows smoking in bars, how well do you tolerate smoke, lots of smoke?

 

[JEDI]

md/dc/va no smoking

lol.. are male + no experience, you probably wont be able to get a job as a bartender, esp in this econ. goto bartender school

 

[sjwaste]

Yeah, bartending shifts are generally "up the chain" in the restaurant business. At least the types of places (bars, restaurants that mostly exist for their bar scene) that you're looking for. You'd probably have to start waiting tables or bar backing.

 

[her209]

Is this anything like smashing the stack for fun and for profit?

 

[Maverick2002]

I don't mind drunk people and smoking is banned in bars in my state.

 

[TheVrolok]

I don't mind drunk people and smoking is banned in bars in my state.

That's two of the biggies. What time do bars close in your state? We usually got out of the bar 1-1.5 hour post closing time, so it can make for a late night. Also, the best nights to work are also the best nights NOT to work (the weekend nights) so plan on missing out on some good partying to work. Other than that, I think it's one of the best jobs in the world, I had a great time in the bit that I did.

 

[Maverick2002]

2:30 I think. I realize it means no going out, but my intention for doing this is to meet new people. If I can make money doing it, even better.

What's involved in a bar close? I also heard about afterparties ...

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I bartended as a summer job when I was in college. It's going to be very hard if not impossible to get a good paying gig with no experience and no connections. You're not going to be working the 10pm to 2am shift at the hottest club in town. You're going to work the ladies Wednesday afternoon bowling league or the early bird dinner shift at Joe's Turkey Chili Hut. You pay your dues with the shifts none of the experienced bartenders want and you eventually work your way into better shifts at better places.

 

[Kipper717]

I bartended as a summer job when I was in college. It's going to be very hard if not impossible to get a good paying gig with no experience and no connections. You're not going to be working the 10pm to 2am shift at the hottest club in town. You're going to work the ladies Wednesday afternoon bowling league or the early bird dinner shift at Joe's Turkey Chili Hut. You pay your dues with the shifts none of the experienced bartenders want and you eventually work your way into better shifts at better places.

This.

I've worked in a bar part-time at a bowling alley for over 25 years and I was able to learn on the job.

I have a good paying full-time job so I'm content to just work one or two nights a week just to have a little extra spending money.

 

[ChrisIsBored]

What's involved in a bar close? I also heard about afterparties ...

Yeah... I think you'll be better off just enjoying the bar scene as a patron. You've already got the wrong mentality.

 

[TwiceOver]

A friend of mine bar tends two nights a week Wednesday (ladies night) and Friday. He brings home 85%+ of his weekly day job paycheck.

 

[TallBill]

Really really tough to get a job bartending as a male with no experience.