Bartending for the first time tomorrow.. Any Tips?

[AMCRambler]

Dress like a slut. Helps with the tips. Also leaning over the bar showing ample cleavage is good too.

 

[Eli]

What is it with the non-tipping pricks around ATOT? Bartenders, like wait staff, get paid below minimum wage and it is assumed that tips will compensate for the discrepancy. So until that changes, it IS appropriate to give them a tip relative to level of service. They are still serving you, and a good bartender, does well more than simply poor a drink.

Not to defend his stance on this necessarily, but that depends on the state. In Oregon, you have to be paid minimum wage.

I agree with him in principle, because that's the way I go about my jobs. But I've never worked in(and would never want to work in) the service industry. I think it is indeed different. Yes, you're just doing your job. And if you do it shitty, you get your crappy minimum wage. If you do a good job, you may get a tip. What that minimum wage is doesn't really matter.

I disagree with the idea that it is or should be mandatory. It doesn't matter what they make without their tips; if they do a good job, most people will reward them.

Fortunately, there are not very many people that don't believe in the practice of tipping all together? Somehow I don't think that's what Nik is saying, but I could be wrong.

 

[alkemyst]

So? They're doing their job. That deserves a paycheck and continued employment. Not a tip.

You really try too hard to play both sides of the fence.

A service related field is usually not paid a full paycheck. It's up to them to make up the difference in their tips and sometimes upsells.

Sure the law says they must be paid minimum wage, but good luck collecting on that and also most aren't in the fields to just clear minimum wage...they'd do better off working at a grocery store with a guaranteed wage at that point.

You have a lot of anger at the world.

 

[alkemyst]

OP how the fuck are they making you a bartender when you have absolutely no experience? Is this a beer and wine place only or something?

 

[SSSnail]

What's wrong with you? Haven't served me a beer yet and already asking for tips... tsk tsk tsk.

 

[Alone]

 

[QueBert]

What is it with the non-tipping pricks around ATOT? Bartenders, like wait staff, get paid below minimum wage and it is assumed that tips will compensate for the discrepancy. So until that changes, it IS appropriate to give them a tip relative to level of service. They are still serving you, and a good bartender, does well more than simply poor a drink.

QFT, I always tip, but I know people who don't. I would be more than fine with servers and waiters getting a big pay raise and having places no longer except tips of any sort. It would push up the price of the food and drinks a lot, but since I'd tip otherwise I'd be more than fine with it. And the servers wouldn't get screwed by idiots who have the "they should be happy to serve me for less than minimum wage, if they don't like they can go find a new job!"

 

[alkemyst]

QFT, I always tip, but I know people who don't. I would be more than fine with servers and waiters getting a big pay raise and having places no longer except tips of any sort. It would push up the price of the food and drinks a lot, but since I'd tip otherwise I'd be more than fine with it. And the servers wouldn't get screwed by idiots who have the "they should be happy to serve me for less than minimum wage, if they don't like they can go find a new job!"

Sadly in the USA this doesn't work due to it being hard to get wage-based service workers to serve.

 

[caddlad]

Buy a newspaper every day and keep it behind the bar.

Business travelers like a drink before (and after) dinner but are uncomfortable sitting alone at a bar. The newspaper gives them something to do while they get loose.

They are the best tippers BTW.

P.S. Condolences on your loss.

 

[QueBert]

Sadly in the USA this doesn't work due to it being hard to get wage-based service workers to serve.

It would work if the wage level was bumped up a lot. If you give a server the option between making $4 an hour + who knows how much in tips. And making a sure $15 an hour I bet 90% would take the $15 as it's an absolute. The few servers I know right now would quit their job if the economy wasn't so shitty and could find a better one elsewhere. If they got $15 with no tips I bet all would sing a different tune.

 

[TallBill]

It would work if the wage level was bumped up a lot. If you give a server the option between making $4 an hour + who knows how much in tips. And making a sure $15 an hour I bet 90% would take the $15 as it's an absolute. The few servers I know right now would quit their job if the economy wasn't so shitty and could find a better one elsewhere. If they got $15 with no tips I bet all would sing a different tune.

Heh, I'd leave the industry if I only made $15 an hour.

 

[Alone]

It would work if the wage level was bumped up a lot. If you give a server the option between making $4 an hour + who knows how much in tips. And making a sure $15 an hour I bet 90% would take the $15 as it's an absolute. The few servers I know right now would quit their job if the economy wasn't so shitty and could find a better one elsewhere. If they got $15 with no tips I bet all would sing a different tune.

You clearly have no idea how much they make in tips. 15/hr? Hah.

 

[Modular]

Yeah, watch yer cornhole bud

Condolences. :rose;

 

[Gothgar]

make all the drinks strong

 

[alkemyst]

It would work if the wage level was bumped up a lot. If you give a server the option between making $4 an hour + who knows how much in tips. And making a sure $15 an hour I bet 90% would take the $15 as it's an absolute. The few servers I know right now would quit their job if the economy wasn't so shitty and could find a better one elsewhere. If they got $15 with no tips I bet all would sing a different tune.

They problem is many aren't good servers so at any wage you will still get those just looking to do nothing for their money. This is one of the biggest problems restaurant management has along with getting people just to show up.

$15/hr would only work in a place like a Golden Corral, Perkins, and Denny's.

 

[Lamont Burns]

Of course no location information given.

 

[brainhulk]

my friend told me some stuff, but i was drunk so i don't really remember much...

all i remember is that the usual ratio is 1/3 alcohol : 2/3 mixer. He said this is mostly for the girls that want the drinks to taste good. Of course stronger for the alcoholics

 

[mvbighead]

So? They're doing their job. That deserves a paycheck and continued employment. Not a tip.

How is that any different than a waiter/waitress?

Sorry, but tips are given for good performance in the service industry. If my glass doesn't remain empty for long periods of time, and fresh drinks are brought/offered before previous ones are empty, they're doing a good job and deserve a tip.

Be proud of your stance of dominance though... you sir, are the man.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

Keep the bar surface clean. Customer sitting at the bar gets priority over waiter/waitress with a drink order for a table if you are on the bar alone. Otherwise, if its busy, one bartender takes care of service bar while the other handles customers at the bar.
The daily newspaper at the bar is very good for slow period customers.
If you don't know what's in the drink ask the customer. If they don't know, then they shouldn't be ordering it in the first place (that's just my opinion). Ratio should be roughly 1 part booze to 3 parts mixer - this makes, generally speaking, a good tasting drink, and doesn't bury the house with a high liquor cost.
DON'T give away drinks. If you tell someone "It's on me" then PAY for it. Keep a "Bar Check" that is either paid out by you or "comp'ed" by the Mgr on Duty. The only possible exception can be draft beer (the cost per pour can usually be made up over the life of a keg).
Be pleasant. Aside from mixing/pouring drinks, part of your job is to hold up one end of a conversation. Stay away from politics and religion though. Too easy to offend someone.
And lastly, don't ever serve someone you think has had enough. EVER.

 

[TechBoyJK]

OP how the fuck are they making you a bartender when you have absolutely no experience? Is this a beer and wine place only or something?

I have some experience. I've already spent time behind their bar setting up their point of sale systems, and I know my way around the restaurant because my roommate runs the kitchen and I had been helping them get it setup.

I've worked as a server and barback before, and I'm completely comfortable doing both.

I'm not intimidated by getting a glass, putting ice in it, mixing some alcohols together, shaking it up, and giving it to a customer.

I actually did it last night with their bar manager. Besides apparently making long island ice teas rather strong, I did fine. The customers loved the Long islands I made though.. I wonder why

 

[TechBoyJK]

Keep the bar surface clean. Customer sitting at the bar gets priority over waiter/waitress with a drink order for a table if you are on the bar alone. Otherwise, if its busy, one bartender takes care of service bar while the other handles customers at the bar.
The daily newspaper at the bar is very good for slow period customers.
If you don't know what's in the drink ask the customer. If they don't know, then they shouldn't be ordering it in the first place (that's just my opinion). Ratio should be roughly 1 part booze to 3 parts mixer - this makes, generally speaking, a good tasting drink, and doesn't bury the house with a high liquor cost.
DON'T give away drinks. If you tell someone "It's on me" then PAY for it. Keep a "Bar Check" that is either paid out by you or "comp'ed" by the Mgr on Duty. The only possible exception can be draft beer (the cost per pour can usually be made up over the life of a keg).
Be pleasant. Aside from mixing/pouring drinks, part of your job is to hold up one end of a conversation. Stay away from politics and religion though. Too easy to offend someone.
And lastly, don't ever serve someone you think has had enough. EVER.

thanks!

 

[soulcougher73]

What is it with the non-tipping pricks around ATOT? Bartenders, like wait staff, get paid below minimum wage and it is assumed that tips will compensate for the discrepancy. So until that changes, it IS appropriate to give them a tip relative to level of service. They are still serving you, and a good bartender, does well more than simply poor a drink.

But the only way to change the system is to not give into it. If people stopped tipping for someone doing their job discription the bartenders/waitstaff would eventually quit. THUS forcing the establishments to offer a fair salary to begin with and not relying on tips. Cant start a revolution by doing nothing

 

[TechBoyJK]

Even though I work in IT doing sales related stuff, they still pay me nearly like a server. I get a flat, base salary, but most of my income is on commissions. By human nature, you almost HAVE to use the 'tip' system for anybody that is in a service position. Without the reward of tips or the drive caused by 'better service = better tips' nobody would do shit to help customers.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

thanks!

NP....I worked 17 years in the hospitality/service industry - busboy, waiter, bartender, mgr, hotels. While I ultimately hated the nights/weekends/holidays schedule and got out, Bartending is the ONE thing I would go back into without hesitation.

My "If I win the lottery..." plan is to buy an established, local/corner bar, not change a f-ing thing about it (so you don't scare away regulars and business stays constant) and just bartend 2-3 nights a week. I love the social aspect of the job.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

really how hard is it to find a real bartender. this doesn't make sense.