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THE BARTENDER

THE BARTENDER

When exploring what defines a professional bartender, one must first look at what ‘professional’ means in the context of bartending. The word ‘professional’ indicates someone who is skillful by virtue of possessing special knowledge or a person having impressive competence in a particular skill.

Today’s bartenders are expected to keep up with the ever-changing pace of global hospitality and service standards. Professional bartenders must now be more knowledgeable, quicker, more efficient, friendlier and more focused on keeping the customer delighted than ever before.

THE FIVE PS

The five Ps represent all that encompasses a professional bartender:

Pride, Passion, Preparation, Presentation, Professionalism.

A professional bartender will always exude enthusiasm and passion for their profession; they will take pride in how they look and what they do behind the bar. Preparation and presentation are just as important to them as any top chef. They will have a keen eye for detail and have a plethora of classic recipes that they have perfected whilst having the creativity and knowledge of ingredients to invent their own concoctions.

Although not a technical skill, style is vital to the modern bartender and can be represented in many different ways. Here are a few pointers to consider.

• PERSONALITY: Use your personality to develop your style

• CONFIDENCE: Comes with knowledge and practice

• POURS: The style in which you pour, accurately and with panache

• SHAKE: Unique and with presence. It’s an art form so enjoy it!

• SHOWMANSHIP: Presentation of practical and flair skills

• PRESENTATION: Your own personal style, adapted to the environment.

This book aims to provide the novice and aspiring bartender with the practical know-how to become a professional bartender. No one book can singularly provide all the skills and knowledge necessary to become a proficient, efficient and accomplished bartender but, with lots of practical experience and training, this book will help you get one step closer to a professional standard.

As a professional bartender your job is not only to provide efficient and friendly service, but to use your extensive knowledge of the bar menu to suggest and sell appropriate drinks to fulfil your guests’ needs. Furthermore, it is your responsibility to ensure that the bar is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• PUNCTUALITY: Be on time, every time. Punctuality is vital in the bar arena; it is a true sign of the professional and ranks very highly with all operators/managers. Lateness affects everyone around you as all operations work as a team.

• PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Every bar, restaurant, hotel, nightclub, casino and café will have its own policy on uniform and appearance. Everyone should look professional and you should take pride in your appearance. Close contact with customers and team members means that deodorant is a prerequisite. Fingernails and hair should be kept clean at all times and if your hair is long, tie it back.

• UNIFORM: Your uniform is either issued or set as a standard by the venue. Be sure to keep your uniform clean and ironed and your shoes polished. Always remember that you are an ambassador for your bar.

PERSONAL BAR TOOLS

As a minimum, bartenders should always carry three pens on their person (one to use, one to lose and one to give away), a lighter and a waiter’s friend. Professional bartenders will also have their own bartending kit, which can include a Boston shaker, strainers, bar blades, pour spouts, bar spoons, a muddler, a canelle knife, a chopping knife and board, and many other tools.

ATTITUDE

A positive attitude is vital in the hospitality industry and as a bartender you are constantly in contact with people, customers or team members. There is no room for arrogance or negativity and your attitude should always be positive whenever on duty.

PREPARATION

Similarly to a kitchen, a bar requires a lot of preparation to ensure the smooth running of a shift. All service areas and stations should be set up to the venue’s standard and should be 100 per cent ready for business at opening time. Till floats, change, glassware, garnishes, ice, napkins, straws and stock should all be checked and plentiful.

MULTI-TASKING

You should always endeavour to use both hands whenever possible. There are many small jobs that need doing throughout a bar shift aside from making drinks, including clearing away dirty glassware, restocking, replenishing ice, napkins and straws, checking back to customers, standing menus up, placing a fresh napkin under a customer’s drink and, of course, cleaning the bar. A bartender should always aim to stay on top of these tasks, some of which can be done simultaneously.

LICENSING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Laws and regulations governing the sale of alcohol on licensed premises vary around the world, so it is important that you are familiar with your country’s and venue’s rules. For instance, in the UK and Australia it is illegal to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18; in the US the limit varies between 18 and 21 years old. It is your own personal responsibility to know the local laws on serving alcohol. The responsible service of alcohol also extends to intoxication and in some cases fines may be issued for serving individuals who may be intoxicated.

SERVING ALCOHOL RESPONSIBLY

Serving someone who is drunk can be bad for business, and can endanger the customers and staff. Your role is prevention rather than cure and you should, whenever possible, monitor the alcohol intake of your customers.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Good customer service is not just about serving guests drinks with a smile. Your responsibility as a bartender is to ensure that every stage of the service process is performed to the highest possible standards and to ensure your guests leave with a good impression of you and the experience of your service.

TEAMWORK

Teamwork is an essential part of running a successful bar. Your job as a professional bartender is to support your team members and always be a team player. There is a saying in the industry that goes: ‘If you are not serving, serve your team mates’.

Service is all-important. When a large group of people enters your bar, if you are not serving a customer, stop what you are doing and split the order with your colleagues. Do not be afraid to ask others for help – they will soon ask you when they need it. Alternatively, be alert and attentive to your colleagues’ needs; teamwork can be as small as passing a bottle, placing napkins and making drinks in your colleague’s order, icing their glassware or simply cleaning and clearing their service area. Interaction and communication are the key to effective teamwork.

CLEANLINESS

Cleaning is a large part of a bartender’s job: cleaning bar tops, service areas, washing out shakers and tools, and clearing away dirty glasses are some of the many cleaning jobs. Professional bartenders should maintain the highest standards of bar cleanliness and hygiene at all times, before, during and after their shift. A clean and tidy bar top is inviting to the guests so clean as you go. Equipment and glassware should also be kept clean and shining at all times, particularly shakers and mixing glasses.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Bartenders have a personal responsibility to work safely and without risk to others by adhering to industry health and safety procedures. Remember that you are handling foodstuff and liquid for consumption, so cleanliness of preparation and storage are of the utmost importance. If mopping any floor area, always be sure to display the appropriate warning signs.

COMPANY POLICIES

Be aware of all company licensing laws, policies and procedures. Each bar will have its own rules and it is your job to learn these before you set foot behind the bar.

MONEY HANDLING

Any money that is handled within the bar environment should be checked carefully and accurately at all times. Bartenders work in a fast-paced, noisy and energetic environment so it’s important to be vigilant and focused on the money. In most cases venue managers hold responsible the individual bartenders or those who have shared a cash register for any discrepancies, either negative or positive. Always count change back either into the customer’s hand or onto a change tray, with a receipt where possible.

REPORTING

Bartenders should assist the management in maintaining and exceeding standards by reporting any problems with the bar and working environment. If a customer has cause for complaint and would like to speak to a manager, unless it is something that you are confident and comfortable handling, ensure you report this to a manager or supervisor immediately.

KNOWLEDGE

You must have a full knowledge of all products and prices within your operation. Your knowledge is only limited to your willingness to learn and educate yourself.

EDUCATION

To actively contribute to your business, you should strive to improve yourself and the business you work for by continually learning and educating yourself about your chosen profession.

Bartender’s tip:

Always call out to the customer any note that is handed to you, for example, ‘That’s a twenty’. This will ensure that there are no discrepancies. This can help as a reminder of the note you are tendering to avoid accidentally short-changing a customer. It makes the customer clear on the note they handed over and avoids them thinking that they may have been short-changed.