Starting bartending in a week - what do I need to know??

[BillGates]

Its actually one of my secret games to get a chick drunk and have her go home with some random guy.

Pretty sure you're doing it wrong.

 

[TallBill]

Pretty sure you're doing it wrong.

Eh, I've done just fine in the last 3 years lol. Been with plenty of customers, coworkers, and bartenders at other bars.

 

[Gothgar]

Yes, because "every beer drinker" likes warm beer.

Most good beers taste a lot better about 10 degrees above a fridge temperature in my experience, which is vast.

 

[dougp]

Yes, because "every beer drinker" likes warm beer.

No, because first off, they're not pouring beer into glasses that are fresh off the washer, the glasses are room temperature. Second, as stated above, most beer tastes better when around 50-55F, which causes the hops to become more fragrant as well as rounding off more flavors that were numbed by the cold (most beer is poured around 38F.)

Let me guess, you also hate it when a bartender gives you too much head?

That's another pet peeve - DO NOT TOP OFF THE GLASS OF BEER COMPLETELY. 16oz beer, 4oz head - it is vital to how the beer should be enjoyed.

Call it beer snob, call it whatever - just like most people who drink their whiskey or scotch "neat," I prefer my beer to be poured properly as well.

 

[Kadarin]

Fuck all that, just give me an ice cold bottle of Coors Light, lol! And when I'm finished, get me another one ASAP.

 

[darkxshade]

Its actually one of my secret games to get a chick drunk and have her go home with some random guy.

What bar do you work at? Hook a brother up. :sneaky:

 

[SketchMaster]

No, because first off, they're not pouring beer into glasses that are fresh off the washer, the glasses are room temperature. Second, as stated above, most beer tastes better when around 50-55F, which causes the hops to become more fragrant as well as rounding off more flavors that were numbed by the cold (most beer is poured around 38F.)

Let me guess, you also hate it when a bartender gives you too much head?

That's another pet peeve - DO NOT TOP OFF THE GLASS OF BEER COMPLETELY. 16oz beer, 4oz head - it is vital to how the beer should be enjoyed.

Call it beer snob, call it whatever - just like most people who drink their whiskey or scotch "neat," I prefer my beer to be poured properly as well.

After traveling around Europe, all this is true.

...But I am very much a drinking snob, so I won't poke at someone for drinking a bud lite if they don't look odd at me for drinking my Manhattan.

I'm more a Whisky/Scotch (and on odd days, a martini) snob, and I very much take pride in any drink I mix for anyone who would ask for one. But I'm the exception to the rule for most bars, so I make sure to keep it simple when I go out. If anything, just to give a bartender one less headache.

If I do go to a place that is either there for people like me or has a bartender that just so happens to know what they are doing, I tip, and I tip well.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yes, because "every beer drinker" likes warm beer.

Take your "bud" and stay in your basement.

 

[Squisher]

I want to be TallBill when I grow up.

 

[Maverick2002]

Nice video, wish I could rep. Getting "bar rescue - season 1" right now, almost done with cocktail. Any sites/books I should check out? Any phone apps for recipes for a quick find? When I get into something I'm in 110% focused mode so I"ll be memorizing recipes while I shit (instead of looking at ifunny).

 

[Baked]

Bring a shot gun in case people get rowdy.

 

[velillen]

Honestly i would say just learn the basics. If someone orders something you dont know just simply say you havent heard of it and ask whats in it. Ive had that happen a couple times and have no problem explaining it and the bartender usually makes it and asks how it is, if its not right i dont mind saying and probably 75% they make another to get it right. Works for me as i then tip them a bit more.

But yes be friendly and stop by every now and then. I hate going out and you order beers or whatever and you dont see your bartender for 15-20 minutes while your trying ot flag them down for another drink. Then again im a dive bar kind of guy so its not to terribly crowded (generally). Always tip more when i actually get to talk to the person instead of them just being a drink pourer.

But thats just me

 

[Sonikku]

Unbutton your shirt a little to show off your cleavage to maximize tip potential.





If that doesn't work, your only alternative is to watch Deep Space 9 religiously on your down time and play the Quark angle.

 

[waggy]

Honestly i would say just learn the basics. If someone orders something you dont know just simply say you havent heard of it and ask whats in it. Ive had that happen a couple times and have no problem explaining it and the bartender usually makes it and asks how it is, if its not right i dont mind saying and probably 75% they make another to get it right. Works for me as i then tip them a bit more.

But yes be friendly and stop by every now and then. I hate going out and you order beers or whatever and you dont see your bartender for 15-20 minutes while your trying ot flag them down for another drink. Then again im a dive bar kind of guy so its not to terribly crowded (generally). Always tip more when i actually get to talk to the person instead of them just being a drink pourer.

But thats just me

most bars around here will let you have the drink free if its something new they have not made before. though don't try to BS your way into it. most will look it up first and then give you it free (all have computers or at least phones with internet).

 

[TheKub]

Yes, because "every beer drinker" likes warm beer.

Meh, on this one I tend to agree. You are either drinking crap beer that requires being ice cold to be palatable or you are drinking too slowly.

 

[waggy]

No, because first off, they're not pouring beer into glasses that are fresh off the washer, the glasses are room temperature. Second, as stated above, most beer tastes better when around 50-55F, which causes the hops to become more fragrant as well as rounding off more flavors that were numbed by the cold (most beer is poured around 38F.)

Let me guess, you also hate it when a bartender gives you too much head?

That's another pet peeve - DO NOT TOP OFF THE GLASS OF BEER COMPLETELY. 16oz beer, 4oz head - it is vital to how the beer should be enjoyed.

Call it beer snob, call it whatever - just like most people who drink their whiskey or scotch "neat," I prefer my beer to be poured properly as well.

/this i hate it when i get a beer WITH NO FUCKING HEAD..bah!

learn to pour a fucking beer!

 

[IronWing]

Drunks are assholes but they're too drunk to notice that they are assholes which makes them even bigger assholes. They're remember that time they tipped you big time and expect strong drinks, forgetting all the the other times they stiffed you.

 

[velillen]

most bars around here will let you have the drink free if its something new they have not made before. though don't try to BS your way into it. most will look it up first and then give you it free (all have computers or at least phones with internet).

Yeah i dont BS about it. Usually end up paying for it but generally get two out of it since the first is almost never right. Never had one look up unless none of us actually knew how to make it. But like a rising sun have had a couple times they dont know how to make it and i just tell them and they give it a shot.

Either way im not one to talk since this weekend i went out twice and i think that doubles my yearly going to a bar tally

 

[Delita]

Use frosted glasses. I hate getting a beer in a warm glass.
(you probably have little control over that)

I personally don't like frosted glasses at all, beer or otherwise. I've been mixing a lot of cocktails at home for a little while now and found that if its a drink that isn't served with ice, it's nice to place some cubes in the glass to cool it down while you mix the drink, then dump them before you pour. It's the opposite for something like an Irish Coffee where you want to heat the glass with hot water before you make the drink.

 

[Phoenix86]

Order a strong drink if you want it strong Order a Makers Mark on the rocks, splash of coke, and you'll get 2 oz of Makers Mark. Order a Maker's and Coke and you'll get 1.25 oz.

You also can't hide a short shot with just a splash of coke and ice overflowing out of the glass.

 

[GasX]

If someone asks for an irish coffee with no sugar in it, only put two spoonfuls in it...

 

[TallBill]

You also can't hide a short shot with just a splash of coke and ice overflowing out of the glass.

Exactly. I usually ask anyone that orders whiskey on the rocks where they work. More often than not its at a bar, and then we've already established that were going to take care of each other.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Most good beers taste a lot better about 10 degrees above a fridge temperature in my experience, which is vast.

exactly -- mug must be chilled!!!

 

[TallBill]

I want to be TallBill when I grow up.

Its a fun job and a fun lifestyle but it isn't always so easy. Long and tiring shifts sometimes, no insurance (usually), no guaranteed paycheck, no guaranteed hours. You can have a manager that loves you leave, only to be replaced by a manager that hates you.

 

[ReggieDunlap]

Depends on what kind of business/clientele the place will be catering to. You mentioned bar/restaurant with 1-3 bartenders. This could mean: 1 works service (handling drink orders for the servers for tables) while the other 2 handle bar service. I'm guessing, if the other 2 are experienced, you'll work primarily service bar until you're up to speed on drinks and mixing etc, then maybe get transitioned into bar service. As TallBill mentioned, you are FOH (front of house) so good bartenders not only provide good service, but draw customers and provide a significant sales number to the overall sales of the venue. This is why it seems odd that you're being hired with no experience and the hiring manager knows this.

As for drinks, I wouldn't go crazy trying to memorize or learn too many. Get basics down, learn to be consistent with your pours. I used a "count" system: 1...2 for mixed drinks(1.5 oz) and 1...2...3 for neat/on the rocks. You can get this down using a bottle filled with water and fitted with a new pourer.

Keep your bar CLEAN and neat. I hate sitting down at a bar and the space is nothing but a sticky mess in front of me. Ashtrays (if allowed) should always be empty and clean when possible.