House Plans: Bartending Salary

Bartending Salary

Bartenders prepare alcoholic drinks for patrons of restaurants, bars, cocktail lounges, and other places where drinks are served. Alcoholic drinks are made up of many combinations of ingredients, and each drink may be made in several ways. The bartender's main job is to know the standard drink recipes and be able to mix them quickly and accurately. Occasionally, customers have their own preferences or recipes for a bartender to follow. Bartenders also check the identification of customers seated at bars to ensure that they meet the minimum drinking age.

Most bartenders take drink orders, serve drinks, and collect money for drinks. In restaurants bartenders fill drink orders placed by the diners, but the drinks are usually served by waiters. Bartenders may have additional duties. Sometimes they arrange bottles and barware, wash glasses, and clean the bar. Bartenders also remove empty bottles and trash and replace empty beer kegs. In large bars and restaurants they may be assisted by a bartender helper.

Bartenders stock the bar by bringing liquor bottles, mixed drink ingredients, and other bar supplies from the storeroom to the bar. They keep track of wines, beers, liquors, and other supplies. Some bartenders do the actual ordering of bar supplies. Others report what is needed to the owner or to a purchasing agent. In very large restaurants and bars the ordering of supplies is done by a wine steward or a beverage manager.