Considering a part-time job as a bartender in NYC.

[FearoftheNight]

Thinking about a part time job bartending. I'm not a big of drinking but I like parties and stuff. Taking a look at this:


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How is the pay? Job placement hard? Is it fun? What does it take to be a good bartender? Any help would be great. ;heart: thanks.

 

My sister did it for a while. She worked at a hotel bar and made a ton of cash every night. She liked it, but it's not the type of job you settle down and have kids with. It gets old fast.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Thanks. I'm a college student studying pre-med/pharmacy. I want to do something on the side. Not a permanent occupation. Sorry if I was unclear jumpr. How did your sis find a good school? How much were classes? How did she find a job and how much did she make if you don't mind me asking.

 

[EvilYoda]

I imagine that in a city like NYC, you'll have a lot of competition...don't rely completely on those classes, as being a bartender is more than just making drinks...doing that for a couple weeks will make it second nature. If you have any restaurant experience, that might help you get a foot in the door, as a lot of my friends had to climb the ladder starting from bar-backs.

Best of luck as this is a profession I've considered picking up numerous times.

edit: looked at the site, it seems to be pretty nice, and if you're into flair bartending, that'll be where some of the big bucks come in. I wish we had something legit like this in Michigan.

 

[richardycc]

I was, and you dont just jump into to become a bartender, you have to work your way up, start as a barback, which is changing out kegs, keep the bar full, getting ice for the real bartenders so they can make tons of money. you might get lucky and find a slow restaurant that need a bartender quick, and know someone in the business wouldn't hurt, oh and being a hot female would help too, which I am not sure if you are f or m. good luck! If you are a pre-med/pharmacy major, you should try to get a job at a drug store and be a pharma. tech, you will probably make about the same, but a lot boring thou.

 

[Deleted member 139972]

Yah.. You'll only make good money if you're a woman. Even then, I wouldn't want a ton of guys slobbering over me every night. BUUTT, If you need to make good $$ to get off your feet, that is definitly the job to have. Great hours + good $$$. My good friend is a struggling actor in NYC (BTW, you'll see him in the new AMEX commerical with Robert Deniero) and he makes ends meet with bartending.

This is a great way to get thru a slump, but not a lifetime occupation. Best of Luck!


EDIT: In NYC it's REALLY easy to get a bartending job, so I wouldn't worry about that..

 

[FearoftheNight]

Thanks. Contrary to what my avatar suggests I'm a guy. So should I take the classes and try to get a barback position? How do I find a good job? Just need a good starting point? Does that mean I can only bartend at the place I barbacked at? Man being a guy sucks in this occupation.

Edit: Deleted member 139972 how??? easy??? explain!! .... profit! : )

 

[breweyez]

Originally posted by: jumpr
My sister did it for a while. She worked at a hotel bar and made a ton of cash every night. She liked it, but it's not the type of job you settle down and have kids with. It gets old fast.

Not if you work in Vegas

 

[KarenMarie]

I did it for years...

Great if you wanna pay your way thru school, or pay off your mortgage in 1/2 the time. It is loads of fun at first, as you are in a party atmosphere... but making $$$ while everyone else is spending it... but after a while it gets old.

Still there is nothing like a pile of cash at the end of every work day!

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: breweyez

Originally posted by: jumpr
My sister did it for a while. She worked at a hotel bar and made a ton of cash every night. She liked it, but it's not the type of job you settle down and have kids with. It gets old fast.

Not if you work in Vegas

Maybe its you. I have a few friends that tend bar and they are not hurtin for cash.

 

[FearoftheNight]

are all those friends hot females?

 

[Mik3y]

does an Al Kohollic work there?

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
are all those friends hot females?

Just one

 

[oboeguy]

My brother is bartending full-time right now at some club, I think. Seems to be doing OK.

 

[Gurck]

Sounds like fun if you're an extrovert (personality is everything in bartending and in the city), so - assuming you are, since you're considering it - I say go for it. Some of the most interesting people I've met, I've met on Bleeker street, on the lower east side.. which brings me to - where in the city is the job you're considering?

 

[DeeKnow]

don't forget to come back and start a lame thread about how someone stiffed you out of your tip

 

[FearoftheNight]

considering the the job...no particular place gurck

 

[Deleted member 139972]

well. It really depends. I'm not an expert on this, I'm just passing on my friends experience. I think what people might be looking for is experience, and being a barback helps.

But usually the bartending school will help you land a job. From what my friend told me, the schools have jobs lined up and ready to go with their graduates. So I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem. But if you're concerned, talk to the school and see if they guarantee you a job or what their placement percentage is. They should also have stats on what the average $/hour is too. So to find answers, just goto the school and they should be able to help you.

If they can't provide you with good stats, goto another school. Chances are if they dont' know, they are probably bad and don't want to tell you!!

Best of Luck!