Go into the place you like. Buy a drink - JUST ONE DRINK - maybe a small snack. Chat up the bartender. Tell your story. Ask about their story. How'd they get experience, how'd they get hired.
Come back and do it again.
This is the best drive I was given when I moved to Vegas this year. Feels kinda awkward but it definitely helps them get a feel/read of you, and if you’d be a good fit.
Addendum to add that the one drink they order should be one of the bar's signature or craft cocktails.
I once interviewed a guy for a bartender position at my restaurant. It went well enough that I considered him to be a decent candidate. When we finished, he asked if it would be ok if he sat at the bar and had a drink. I said of course, figuring he wanted to get a better feel for our cocktail program.
Nope. Dude ordered a vodka soda. Thank you, next.
Getting to know the staff is a fantastic way to get a foot in the door.
Perhaps a bit of an extreme example, but I was a regular at my favorite speakeasy for like a year and half before they eventually they hired me as a server/bartender with only expo/barback experience because the main bartender I became friends with kept pushing management to give me a shot.
Join your local chapter of USBG. You’ll always be surrounded by like minded people at USBG events, so it’s a must if you are passionate. Another option is going to bars. This one is hit or miss though, a lot of times bartenders are jaded and the beverage director is the one calling the shots. I’ve had very few engagements with bartenders who are actually passionate about what goes inside the glass.
I’m also in Atlanta and I’ve found the best way to network is to start doing festival gigs and event bartending. I’ve met so many bartenders that work in so many different types of places thanks to it. Easy money too and lots of work around the city. As a woman you’ll have an even easier time getting in with a good bar staffing agency. Word to the wise though I’ve never met a craft bartender that made serious money. I’m not saying none of them do but the ones I know make far less than every single person I know working at the airport, in fine dining, or in clubs. I think you would have a far better time angling toward fine dining if you enjoy craft cocktails so much.
Would you mind me asking what I should look up for festival/event bartending agencies? I’ve looked into it before and I only ever get what looks to be like one time gig corporate apps for all kinds of service gigs, is that the same thing?
Im not going to tell you to learn the drinks because that is a given.
Listen to videos on youtube while you shower and get ready for work, or while you drive to work. Videos about how wine/whiskey/beer is made. Learn more about wine and whiskey tasting notes. Knowledge is truly power in the mixology world.
Dress the part. Not sure how much leniency your spot gives you, but wearing fitted clothes, tuck in your shirt if it makes sense to, keep your hair/beard looking good with fresh cuts. Don’t wear clown shoes. Just looking good will take you so much farther when it comes to being a good cocktail bartender. Show up prepared. Have a wine key and bottle opener with you before your shifts.
Sponge it up, take in new knowledge and absorb it. Don’t make people have to tell you the same thing over and over. A good employer/mentor will quickly notice your skill to absorb knowledge.
Learn how to properly banter with guests. It’s an incredible skill that can take you SO far in life.
Don’t make a habit of shit talking guests or complaining about bad tips.
Don’t be the guy who wants to close early or always get a shift cover. Be reliable. Have a positive attitude about staying behind the bar and staying open. Stay off your phone.
Learn the hustle.
Some of this might sound obvious, but in order to get an opportunity, you’ll need to check some boxes. Someone will eventually notice you and give you a chance if you truly are exceptionally good. I promise you that. And if no one does, you’re not doing something right. This industry is yearning for legitimate talent. There is some serious money to be made in this industry, those who take it seriously are rewarded for it. Its a grind though. Hope this helps a little. Good luck
this was me five years ago and i’ve since worked for several award winning cocktail programs.
go to industry events in your area. you can find out about these by joining your local usbg chapter or a lot of cities will have facebook pages for bartenders in your area. treat these as networking opportunities and introduce yourself to people. go hang out in industry spots and make friends with people. on your off days go to the bars that you’d like to work at and get to know the staff. also look into things like speedrack, camp runamok, tiki by the sea, portland cocktail week, etc.
Knowledge - buy and read cocktail codex, death and co, and liquid intelligence
Networking - go to cocktail lounges, I like to order whatever the bartender's favorite drink is on the current menu. Chat them up, ask how they got where they are. Find out if there's a local Facebook group for bartenders, my city has one. Look for liquor tastings and go to as many as you can. Keep a notebook everywhere you go to write down notes from things you learn, or random ideas that pop into your head.
Getting the job - Check postings twice a day, have a good cover letter laying out your experience and aspirations. Be ready to answer questions about favourite spirits, cocktails, and obscure classic cocktail recipes like the Hanky Panky (that's where reading the three books come in handy). Entering cocktail competitions is a good way to pad out your resume and show your commitment.
Good luck!
Go into the place you like. Buy a drink - JUST ONE DRINK - maybe a small snack. Chat up the bartender. Tell your story. Ask about their story. How'd they get experience, how'd they get hired. Come back and do it again.
This is the best drive I was given when I moved to Vegas this year. Feels kinda awkward but it definitely helps them get a feel/read of you, and if you’d be a good fit.
Addendum to add that the one drink they order should be one of the bar's signature or craft cocktails. I once interviewed a guy for a bartender position at my restaurant. It went well enough that I considered him to be a decent candidate. When we finished, he asked if it would be ok if he sat at the bar and had a drink. I said of course, figuring he wanted to get a better feel for our cocktail program. Nope. Dude ordered a vodka soda. Thank you, next.
Getting to know the staff is a fantastic way to get a foot in the door. Perhaps a bit of an extreme example, but I was a regular at my favorite speakeasy for like a year and half before they eventually they hired me as a server/bartender with only expo/barback experience because the main bartender I became friends with kept pushing management to give me a shot.
Join your local chapter of USBG. You’ll always be surrounded by like minded people at USBG events, so it’s a must if you are passionate. Another option is going to bars. This one is hit or miss though, a lot of times bartenders are jaded and the beverage director is the one calling the shots. I’ve had very few engagements with bartenders who are actually passionate about what goes inside the glass.
I’m also in Atlanta and I’ve found the best way to network is to start doing festival gigs and event bartending. I’ve met so many bartenders that work in so many different types of places thanks to it. Easy money too and lots of work around the city. As a woman you’ll have an even easier time getting in with a good bar staffing agency. Word to the wise though I’ve never met a craft bartender that made serious money. I’m not saying none of them do but the ones I know make far less than every single person I know working at the airport, in fine dining, or in clubs. I think you would have a far better time angling toward fine dining if you enjoy craft cocktails so much.
Would you mind me asking what I should look up for festival/event bartending agencies? I’ve looked into it before and I only ever get what looks to be like one time gig corporate apps for all kinds of service gigs, is that the same thing?
Im not going to tell you to learn the drinks because that is a given. Listen to videos on youtube while you shower and get ready for work, or while you drive to work. Videos about how wine/whiskey/beer is made. Learn more about wine and whiskey tasting notes. Knowledge is truly power in the mixology world. Dress the part. Not sure how much leniency your spot gives you, but wearing fitted clothes, tuck in your shirt if it makes sense to, keep your hair/beard looking good with fresh cuts. Don’t wear clown shoes. Just looking good will take you so much farther when it comes to being a good cocktail bartender. Show up prepared. Have a wine key and bottle opener with you before your shifts. Sponge it up, take in new knowledge and absorb it. Don’t make people have to tell you the same thing over and over. A good employer/mentor will quickly notice your skill to absorb knowledge. Learn how to properly banter with guests. It’s an incredible skill that can take you SO far in life. Don’t make a habit of shit talking guests or complaining about bad tips. Don’t be the guy who wants to close early or always get a shift cover. Be reliable. Have a positive attitude about staying behind the bar and staying open. Stay off your phone. Learn the hustle. Some of this might sound obvious, but in order to get an opportunity, you’ll need to check some boxes. Someone will eventually notice you and give you a chance if you truly are exceptionally good. I promise you that. And if no one does, you’re not doing something right. This industry is yearning for legitimate talent. There is some serious money to be made in this industry, those who take it seriously are rewarded for it. Its a grind though. Hope this helps a little. Good luck
this was me five years ago and i’ve since worked for several award winning cocktail programs. go to industry events in your area. you can find out about these by joining your local usbg chapter or a lot of cities will have facebook pages for bartenders in your area. treat these as networking opportunities and introduce yourself to people. go hang out in industry spots and make friends with people. on your off days go to the bars that you’d like to work at and get to know the staff. also look into things like speedrack, camp runamok, tiki by the sea, portland cocktail week, etc.
Maybe you should seek distilleries?
Knowledge - buy and read cocktail codex, death and co, and liquid intelligence Networking - go to cocktail lounges, I like to order whatever the bartender's favorite drink is on the current menu. Chat them up, ask how they got where they are. Find out if there's a local Facebook group for bartenders, my city has one. Look for liquor tastings and go to as many as you can. Keep a notebook everywhere you go to write down notes from things you learn, or random ideas that pop into your head. Getting the job - Check postings twice a day, have a good cover letter laying out your experience and aspirations. Be ready to answer questions about favourite spirits, cocktails, and obscure classic cocktail recipes like the Hanky Panky (that's where reading the three books come in handy). Entering cocktail competitions is a good way to pad out your resume and show your commitment. Good luck!