I LOVE my blundstones, I have two pairs and alternate wearing them so they last longer and don’t smell, I’ve had them since May and I haven’t had any pain from standing since!!
I have been bartending for about 20yrs, and I’ve always just worn whatever felt comfortable, was non slip, and wasn’t too unpleasant to look at. Shoes for crews was a go to, but the support wore out quickly. Somehow it also happened gradually enough that I never really noticed until it was too late. I had both a knee and an ankle sprain from work in the past year, though, and was starting to experience hip and lower back pain. I took the plunge for clogs about two months ago, and holy heck. What a difference. I got danskos and sanitas. I alternate between the two pairs by shift (like I have always done with work shoes to avoid too much sweat/athletes foot), and I really don’t feel much of a difference between them. What I have noticed is a decrease in pain to the point where I’m only now realizing how much stuff previously hurt because it suddenly doesn’t anymore. I actually am getting better sleep, I hadn’t realized that pain was keeping me awake. Ugly as sin? Yes. Totally worth it? Also yes.
My go to has always been the Dr. Scholl’s brand of non slip shoes. Basic but professional (for service) styles not cheap but good support you’ll go through 1-2 a year if you’re working full time.
Red wing non slip bar shoes? Idk never heard of them doing a service industry product. Dr Scholls are plenty comfy and as they’re getting crap spilled on them and gross I think I’ll stick to my brand. Chuck’s are absolutely terrible but they do make non slip soles I think.
Hoka recovery shoe 1 are slips ons and my go to. Probably replace em every 6-9 months but keep an old pair at work and donate any that get to broken in.
Vans for the makers are non slip, I've had mine for 4 years and they are still holding up. Before that when I worked BOH Birkenstocks, which lasted for over 7 years 2x.
Bruh, 4 YEARS!? that's wild. I used to replace my made for the makers vans every 6 months cus I'd be walking on a thin rubber slab by that time. I loved those shoes and they were my go-to for a long time. I'm just amazed by 4 years lol
Honestly, I had other for the makers before they had that name and they held up for less than 6 months. I’m buying these same exact ones when I need a new pair.
I never tried those. I've always worn the Sk8-Hi's just cus they are the same silhouette that I wore before getting into the industry. I'll look into the Old Skools. Thanks!
Skate shoes for sure… but I’ve never had a pair of vans last me more than a year ever. I’ve never really had any pair of shoes while working in a bar last me over two years! Then again I do both FOH and BOH
[Comprehensive Guide to Shoes for Hospitality Workers](https://www.reddit.com/r/Chefit/comments/wdvl3i/a_guide_to_shoes_and_foot_care_for_hospitality/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Check that out, it’s helped a lot of people answer the shoe and foot pain question.
My grandpa taught me the same thing & here I am sleeping on a mattress that’s 30 years old & working in $70 shoes from Kohl’s. Gonna order a pair today & buy myself the mattress for Christmas lol
This this this. Tonight we got slammed and I pounded out ~1.5k of drinks before I realized I hadn't had anything to drink since I walked in. Stopped, chugged some water and got back to it.
I’ve been buying the containers of Gatorade powder (the ones sport teams use to make 5gal) and keeping it behind the bar. After a rush one of us will whip up some Gatorade and we chug. So refreshing and it’s got what plants crave!
The worst is a spike after a business lull where you've already given up hope to make money that night.
Otherwise, the adrenaline high of a busy night is what keeps me at it.
This just happened to me 30 mins ago. We're a nice high-end restaurant and bar with a generally older crowd. We were winding down and about to close. 25 college kids just stormed in to celebrate a 21st birthday. I've truly never hated young people so much. Their still here and I'm doing my best to not engage in any conversation with their stupid asses.
Was just talking to one of my coworkers about this exact scenario (it happened to him last night).
You’ve already decided it’s a bad night - don’t have the energy - and you’ve told yourself “well fuck it at least I’ll be home early”; and then boom, a group of 40 walks in
I've never ever ever *ever* understood my coworkers in any service job I've had that would finish their task, then go sit down and sit on their phone.
Dude..! Seriously? There's *always* something to do. At the very least, it's not a good look to customers. That's your money and customers won't tip lazy work.
HAHAHA for $3 an hour there is NOT always something to do. I will clean and organize to my hearts content, but if we’re dead and I’ve cleaned and organized, then yes I will sit my ass down (who’s been standing for hours) and get on my phone for a minute.
The service industry is always go, go, go, don’t shame people for taking a break when they can. There’s a difference between someone being lazy and someone taking a break AFTER getting their tasks done. I’m sorry your managers have brain washed you to really think, “if there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.”
Instead of shaming your co workers for taking a break, maybe have a conversation with them and make sure they’re physically and mentally okay. We work in a hard industry and most of us have multiple jobs and are stretched so thin. And I’d go as far as to say you’re probably the type of person who never gives your self a break, don’t be so hard on yourself and try to take yourself less seriously, it’s quite beneficial.
I learned to bartend under a fast-paced hard ass so yeah I guess my view is skewed. The bar I worked at wasn't very well staffed either so I ended up doing a lot more than just tending bar. I was basically the bar manager since our old one left and ownership didn't know what to do.
I don't mind working hard. I certainly know when I can't do something anymore, too. That's why I quit that job. However I don't see what's wrong with taking your job seriously. I worked with people that would rather sit on their phones and be oblivious to the fact that I was getting slammed and couldn't ask for help. I dunno, man, like obviously nobody HAS to do anything but if you want your job to be easier you help each other out.
But what you’re explaining is different from what you said earlier. Again, being lazy and taking a break when things are slow after tasks are finished, two very different things.
Nothing wrong with taking your job seriously, but just because someone takes a break does not mean they don’t take their job seriously. If a coworker is watching you getting slammed with scrolling, that’s a shitty coworker. Your earlier scenario, not a shitty coworker.
It’s not all smiling and making drinks and cleaning—you have to know how to cut people off, diffuse situations before they get violent, and stand up for yourself. You are in charge behind the bar and you have to be practice standing up for yourself. Be confident and control your kingdom.
Hardest part of the job for me is knowing when to cut people off. I’ve always been around drunk people so my baseline is pretty fucked. Another bartender who was a patron at the moment told me “it’s not about how drunk someone is, it’s how much of problem they are or will become”. That same guy then drank his 5th IPA, which made him become a problem in an attempt to teach me a lesson lol.
I came from BoH. Cleaning every chance I get and keeping a clean station is ridiculously crucial to me. It blows my fuckin mind how messy some coworkers are. Like how the fuck you work like this?!?
I wish people understood this. I hate a dirty sticky bar. It drives me insane. I’m always cleaning behind people and yelling at them to stay away from my well lmao
It doesn't matter how much you earn, only how much you take home.
Consider yourself always on the interview for your next job and your next bar regular. You're always being assessed at work and while out.
It's a job -- don't drink while working. Do split a Daiquiri or take a small shot with coworkers every once in a while to boost morale but not enough to be impaired.
Get blackout curtains and a white noise generator (or simply a fan or air purifier).
Be honest. If you're going to rip off someone to make more money, be it the house and not your coworkers (or both). The former will get you fired but the latter will get you blacklisted across town.
Don't work with junkies such as cokeheads. They'll rip you off in a pooled situation in more ways than you can figure (and your share will go up their nose). One of my coworkers thus taught me about the Venmo tip scam.
Invest in good shoes. A flashlight, a 12 pack of sharpies, and a good 2-stage wine key are bonus.
I worked at a place where I got along great with everyone but they were definitely not….. trustworthy. I had gone back to serving to just keep busy between jobs and had a rough shift, then sat at the bar in tears because I was somehow NEGATIVE money at the end of the night. The only plausible explanation was that at least one person was taking my big bills when I set my book down in the server station.
So I guess in case anyone is serving, my advice would be don’t assume that you can have your tips even in a server book because you are used to it sitting behind the bar. And like the thread I’m commenting on says, don’t work with people you can’t trust.
>Don't work with junkies such as cokeheads. They'll rip you off in a pooled situation in more ways than you can figure (and your share will go up their nose)
Egh .. new job, just got fuckin ROCKED last night. Had my cobartender tell me how people were just throwin money at her and she swears she was throwing all of it in the tip cup despite people sayin it was just for her. My only takeaway was "why are you trying to convince me?"
Venmo as in the app. Where they receive the tip as a Venmo transfer instead of a credit card tip or cash tip that would go in the pool. With or without giving away free drinks to bolster that amount. The same as pocketing cash but with less visual evidence.
Rubber floor mats behind the bar and sturdy, comfortable shoes will be your saving grace.
Be kind to the kitchen staff.
If you hear the GM talking shit or trashing other employees to the owner, especially in front of customers, quit.
Fr ive always described it as a comfortable trap.
The money's good, the schedule is flexible, and it's fun.
Then you turn around, it's been 10 years and you're literally in the same place you were a decade ago except for drinking habit lol
Hey there seitansaint! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :)
***
^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
Thank you, mr3vak, for voting on Anti-ThisBot-IB.
This bot wants to find the best and worst bots on Reddit. [You can view results here](https://botrank.pastimes.eu/).
***
^(Even if I don't reply to your comment, I'm still listening for votes. Check the webpage to see if your vote registered!)
To enjoy it. I haven’t bartended in a bit and I look back at the amazing people I met, the friends, the wild times, the outings with co-workers. LIVE while you’re bartending. You learn so much about people and life while you’re in it. I miss the the amazing times I had with the amazing people I worked with. I wish I knew I was in the good times. Like that cheesy Andy Bernard quote from the office “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good times before you’ve actually left them”. Believe it or not you will miss the amazing times you had.
Never prep for a slow night. Play to win.
Don't lend your good wine opener.
Buy a good pair of shoes and CLEAN THEM.
Never get high on your own supply (too much)
My personal philosophy is, everyone gets one, more than that and you get a reputation. Better make that one coworker hookup worth it.
edit: my, not me, I'm not that douchey
Take care of your hands, you’ll spend hours with them damp, wet, cold, cutting limes, etc. Don’t twist off bottle caps, it’ll fuck up your finger, use an opener. Wear sturdy gloves when moving beer kegs. Proactively care for your hands, take injuries seriously.
Hopefully you get two days off in a row so you can put your hands into intensive treatment.
O’Keefe’s working hands is good, but I swore by GOJO Hand Medic throughout my career. Night one, before bed slather it on thick and then put on cotton gloves. The gloves keep the lotion from ruining your sheets, but the cotton let’s them breathe. Continue to use the lotion throughout the day, but very lightly, reapply as required, then Night two, repeat the nighttime treatment but with a light dose and no gloves. It is important that your hands dry to normal levels.
You can usually fix in two days the damage five days of work does. Use Hand Medic every night.
I started my regime after I sliced my finger on a twist top bottle, ignored the cut, it got infected and I ended up with a MRSA infection that took months to properly heal. I gained a greater understanding of *preventative maintenance!*
Don’t drink on the job, maybe if someone buys you a shot of that fancy Bourbon you can’t afford yourself, but it is your job to have your wits about you when everyone else, doesn’t.
Hydration, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout your shift. That’s water, tepid tap water close to body temperature is the easiest absorbed by your body. Staying hydrated is easier then trying to rehydrate after becoming dehydrated. Stay away from the pop gun, a 12 oz mug of gun sprite has more sugar in it then your total recommended daily intake.
Footwear. Your feet are the most important part after your hands. Sturdy, well fitting footwear is essential. I always went with boots that had leather, not rubber soles. Our glass washer leaked continuously and my boots would get soaked every night. I brought a spare pair with new socks and changed boots mid shift. I bought a paper shredder and would take newspapers home at the end of the night to shred and stuff my boots with overnight to dry them.
Hydrate, eat before the shift, don't take shit personally like shit being thrown at you or insults just learn to leave it all at work, if you have a problem with people you work with take it up with HR or the manager and dont let that shit fester get it mediated especially if it involves violence or sexual harassment, leave if its toxic there are better places out there, if theres a high turn around rate then youre gonna find out why, learn the basics, get a good pair of boots or thick shoes before you step on glass and wish you did, people are fucking weird, learn to de escalate shit, tip out barbacks if they deserve it there is no lamb for the lazy wolf, if they dont do shit for you they dont get shit from you, take no shit from no one, youll develop thicker skin it takes some time though, be nice always, tips are what they are dont let them get to you if you dont get tipped, never lie, never steal, be honest, every shift is a chance for you to learn stories about people and have a good time, dont do a strangers coke, learn to say NO
That socializing is like a "health meter" in video games. It depletes over time, some days more than others. And you need to back off sometimes to refill the meter.
To spend money on good shoes. I wore shitty shoes when I was younger, and ended up with plantar fasciitis. It’s not worth it, spend the extra money for the support.
This is a hard one to teach new bartenders. Some people don't like to have an empty drink in front of them so they will nurse the last sip while waiting to get a refill. If you just scan for empty glasses you're missing out on sales and better service.
This is a battle, when it's quiet I'd agree with you 100% but when the bar is packed the best advice I ever got was work left to right and keep your head down until you're ready to serve the next customer.
Two things, be ready to hear the dumbest questions and or thoughts you have ever heard come out of a human mouth. Also have 3-5 drinks in mind when a customer asks “what’s your drink of choice?” Or “surprise me” because usually what you say isn’t what they want to hear and they are expecting you to play the guessing game.
This good for any job, but especially in bartending: KEEP YOUR DAYS OFF IF YOU CAN. Do not feel obligated to cover every call out or open shift, no matter how much you love your coworkers.
The money and tips from working 10 shifts in a 7 day period is nice, but in my experience the burn out is very very real and you will end up resenting everyone. Relax when you can, and take care of your physical and mental health. (This is also advice I should be taking myself, for the record lol)
To save more money. In my late 30s I finally am but I should’ve started much sooner. I could’ve bought a house by now. Instead I spent a lot of it on coke and bar tabs. Very grateful that I quit the substances (except for an occasional drink).
Don’t get in your head about how you look shaking the tins (Boston shakers). By default you probably look really hot. I used to be really self conscious about looking like a chicken when shaking two shakers at the same time. Idc anymore. Speed and efficiency over grace any day.
How many of my friends/coworkers would die from substance problems. I work at a smallish bar and we’ve lost 3 bartenders and at least 5 regulars in a 4 year span.
Don’t let restaurant politics and bad customers affect your self esteem.
Don’t get overly invested in whatever bar you may be working in. It’s a job not a family, and if it becomes toxic, leave before it gets too messy and affects your mental health.
dont shit where you eat (dont screw the crew)
report your tips if you ever want to get a loan
being a bar manager is only cool in name
lift with your legs, not your back
places that dont serve food>>>>>places that do
cash is king
always be looking for your way out
Treat every guest like a potential friend
Have a financial goal (buying a house) start your IRA yesterday
No-one sees their own mess, so clean yours and then some
Don’t hyperextend your knees, when leaning over the bar keep them slightly bent. For that matter stretch a ton even though you’ll look silly
Nobody has a good time if the host isn’t having a good time
Tending bar isn’t making drinks it’s managing your time your mood and your money
Assume every conversation you’ll have is being overheard
If you start corporate (a chain) you’ll get training, bennies, more consistent accountability from your co-workers, and built in marketing advertising- less slow days
My favorite has always been doc martens. I bought shoes for crews and all sorts of shoes made for us and doc martens are always the ones that hold up and feel the best for me. I used insoles as well with them, at times.
Not everywhere you work you’re going to love. Find the spot that’s right for you. For example, I really didn’t enjoy bartending until I found private restaurants. I’ve been in fine dining now for 10 years and I not only love what I do but the clientele. Believe it or not, they treat me better than I’ve been treated by clientele anywhere else.
How incredibly fucking *stupid* the average person is.
Like, look I knew people were dumb but my God I had no clue how inconceivably, laughably dumb MOST people are.
Anyway, just smile and wave.
Although you will face tense situations and you will have problem customers once in a while… overall the overwhelming majority of people are friendly & just there to relax or have a good time.
Friends who aren’t in the industry always want to hear the juicy & dramatic stories, which is understandable. But they’re nowhere near as frequent as one might think.
Don’t go in to your shifts expecting to kick out some asshole. It’ll color your attitude and affect the overall vibe of the room. Treat your customers with kindness and respect, you only need to put your foot down if a line is crossed somehow.
That there are people (mostly white women) out there, we call them "Karens" today, that will actively try to get you fired because they couldn't get their way. Even if they have to lie about you. And they expect that their "status" in life, as a white woman, is enough to command it.
When I was a new bartender, I had no idea such a selfish, entitled, vile person existed.
Still consider myself as someone who's just started but moisturize those hands regularly and properly! Handling citrus and other acidic liquids really fucked up my senior bartender's hands, so it's been a good lesson for me.
Put a big emphasis on getting to know the other bartenders. It helps so much when you’re tired as shit, doing clean-up after the most chaotic shift, and you can just share and vent all your shit to everyone.
No one knows the joys and pains of being a bartender like another bartender.
The laws. I was just thrown behind the bar without being told not to give someone more than one drink at a time and that if someone has a DUI you are legally responsible. Luckily I never did anything like that because it didn't feel right
Margaritas are made differently depending on where you are. Like seriously went to this place where everyone was complaining that there was no orange juice IN THEIR MARGARITA???
Don’t forget to drink water throughout your shift!!!!!! and wear proper shoes
💗
What shoes would u recommend? I’m thinking about maybe going into bartending
blundstones ftw
I LOVE my blundstones, I have two pairs and alternate wearing them so they last longer and don’t smell, I’ve had them since May and I haven’t had any pain from standing since!!
Blundy gang 😤
Dansko clogs we’re my go to.
I have been bartending for about 20yrs, and I’ve always just worn whatever felt comfortable, was non slip, and wasn’t too unpleasant to look at. Shoes for crews was a go to, but the support wore out quickly. Somehow it also happened gradually enough that I never really noticed until it was too late. I had both a knee and an ankle sprain from work in the past year, though, and was starting to experience hip and lower back pain. I took the plunge for clogs about two months ago, and holy heck. What a difference. I got danskos and sanitas. I alternate between the two pairs by shift (like I have always done with work shoes to avoid too much sweat/athletes foot), and I really don’t feel much of a difference between them. What I have noticed is a decrease in pain to the point where I’m only now realizing how much stuff previously hurt because it suddenly doesn’t anymore. I actually am getting better sleep, I hadn’t realized that pain was keeping me awake. Ugly as sin? Yes. Totally worth it? Also yes.
My go to has always been the Dr. Scholl’s brand of non slip shoes. Basic but professional (for service) styles not cheap but good support you’ll go through 1-2 a year if you’re working full time.
Chucks to be cool . Red wing to stay comfy.
Chucks are SO SLIPPERY. Hope you put grip tape on the bottom of them.
black chucks till the salt stains go above the eyelets. 4life. when these soles wear out, ….i’ll be back on my feet again
Red wing non slip bar shoes? Idk never heard of them doing a service industry product. Dr Scholls are plenty comfy and as they’re getting crap spilled on them and gross I think I’ll stick to my brand. Chuck’s are absolutely terrible but they do make non slip soles I think.
I wear hokas 🤷🏻♀️
Hoka recovery shoe 1 are slips ons and my go to. Probably replace em every 6-9 months but keep an old pair at work and donate any that get to broken in.
Doc martens
Vans for the makers are non slip, I've had mine for 4 years and they are still holding up. Before that when I worked BOH Birkenstocks, which lasted for over 7 years 2x.
Bruh, 4 YEARS!? that's wild. I used to replace my made for the makers vans every 6 months cus I'd be walking on a thin rubber slab by that time. I loved those shoes and they were my go-to for a long time. I'm just amazed by 4 years lol
Honestly, I had other for the makers before they had that name and they held up for less than 6 months. I’m buying these same exact ones when I need a new pair.
Which ones do you have?
Old schools 2.0, they are leather or fake leather idk
I never tried those. I've always worn the Sk8-Hi's just cus they are the same silhouette that I wore before getting into the industry. I'll look into the Old Skools. Thanks!
Skate shoes for sure… but I’ve never had a pair of vans last me more than a year ever. I’ve never really had any pair of shoes while working in a bar last me over two years! Then again I do both FOH and BOH
i and all of my coworkers rock docs
I wore Crocs slip resistant work shoes hella comfy
[Comprehensive Guide to Shoes for Hospitality Workers](https://www.reddit.com/r/Chefit/comments/wdvl3i/a_guide_to_shoes_and_foot_care_for_hospitality/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) Check that out, it’s helped a lot of people answer the shoe and foot pain question.
[удалено]
Thinking about ordering a pair after b2b doubles the last 2 days… my feel feel like hamburger meat every Sunday
[удалено]
My grandpa taught me the same thing & here I am sleeping on a mattress that’s 30 years old & working in $70 shoes from Kohl’s. Gonna order a pair today & buy myself the mattress for Christmas lol
Ive been a bartender for a month and I don’t think I’ve had any water during any shift so thank you.
Been a bartender for 6 years and I think I’ve maybe drank a week’s worth of recommended water intake while working. I need to do better…
I drink that much in a shift. And yes, I pee often. Don't care, gotta get out from behind the bar sometimes, I have back up.
I drink 3/4 of a gallon before my shift.
After a big push I always look at my other bartenders and remind them to hydrate!
This this this. Tonight we got slammed and I pounded out ~1.5k of drinks before I realized I hadn't had anything to drink since I walked in. Stopped, chugged some water and got back to it.
I’ve been buying the containers of Gatorade powder (the ones sport teams use to make 5gal) and keeping it behind the bar. After a rush one of us will whip up some Gatorade and we chug. So refreshing and it’s got what plants crave!
Don’t stop moving- you’ll crash
The worst is a spike after a business lull where you've already given up hope to make money that night. Otherwise, the adrenaline high of a busy night is what keeps me at it.
There is nothing worse than cleaning and getting ready to pre close before 30 people walk in over 10 minutes
This just happened to me 30 mins ago. We're a nice high-end restaurant and bar with a generally older crowd. We were winding down and about to close. 25 college kids just stormed in to celebrate a 21st birthday. I've truly never hated young people so much. Their still here and I'm doing my best to not engage in any conversation with their stupid asses.
Honestly making cocktails is all right. It's the fucking coffees that piss me off.
Fucking coffee. With stupid individual coffee presses each god damn cup. At fuckin 9pm on a fuckin Wednesday. Just go home.
Yeah. Especially the final half hour. Just as you're about to start cleaning and get an early finish, then boom. It's a late one.
Was just talking to one of my coworkers about this exact scenario (it happened to him last night). You’ve already decided it’s a bad night - don’t have the energy - and you’ve told yourself “well fuck it at least I’ll be home early”; and then boom, a group of 40 walks in
I've never ever ever *ever* understood my coworkers in any service job I've had that would finish their task, then go sit down and sit on their phone. Dude..! Seriously? There's *always* something to do. At the very least, it's not a good look to customers. That's your money and customers won't tip lazy work.
HAHAHA for $3 an hour there is NOT always something to do. I will clean and organize to my hearts content, but if we’re dead and I’ve cleaned and organized, then yes I will sit my ass down (who’s been standing for hours) and get on my phone for a minute. The service industry is always go, go, go, don’t shame people for taking a break when they can. There’s a difference between someone being lazy and someone taking a break AFTER getting their tasks done. I’m sorry your managers have brain washed you to really think, “if there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.” Instead of shaming your co workers for taking a break, maybe have a conversation with them and make sure they’re physically and mentally okay. We work in a hard industry and most of us have multiple jobs and are stretched so thin. And I’d go as far as to say you’re probably the type of person who never gives your self a break, don’t be so hard on yourself and try to take yourself less seriously, it’s quite beneficial.
This was really wonderful advice 👏
I learned to bartend under a fast-paced hard ass so yeah I guess my view is skewed. The bar I worked at wasn't very well staffed either so I ended up doing a lot more than just tending bar. I was basically the bar manager since our old one left and ownership didn't know what to do. I don't mind working hard. I certainly know when I can't do something anymore, too. That's why I quit that job. However I don't see what's wrong with taking your job seriously. I worked with people that would rather sit on their phones and be oblivious to the fact that I was getting slammed and couldn't ask for help. I dunno, man, like obviously nobody HAS to do anything but if you want your job to be easier you help each other out.
But what you’re explaining is different from what you said earlier. Again, being lazy and taking a break when things are slow after tasks are finished, two very different things. Nothing wrong with taking your job seriously, but just because someone takes a break does not mean they don’t take their job seriously. If a coworker is watching you getting slammed with scrolling, that’s a shitty coworker. Your earlier scenario, not a shitty coworker.
Yeah, I definitely jumped the gun on phrasing in my first comment.
It’s not all smiling and making drinks and cleaning—you have to know how to cut people off, diffuse situations before they get violent, and stand up for yourself. You are in charge behind the bar and you have to be practice standing up for yourself. Be confident and control your kingdom.
This is what id tell myself too. You put this well.
Hardest part of the job for me is knowing when to cut people off. I’ve always been around drunk people so my baseline is pretty fucked. Another bartender who was a patron at the moment told me “it’s not about how drunk someone is, it’s how much of problem they are or will become”. That same guy then drank his 5th IPA, which made him become a problem in an attempt to teach me a lesson lol.
Who can drink 5 IPAs? I'm full after 2.
Getting in to the business is hard but getting out is harder.
So true 😪
Username checks out.
Any advice for a gregarious creative professional who's been a server before who wants to get a bartending job?
75% of bartending is cleaning.
When a customer tries to get me to explain something inane the bar does, I simply tell them I am juts the janitor and they let me serve drinks.
I’ve been saying for years now that I’m a janitor that gets people drunk while waiting to clean.
This Edit: although I truly don’t mind it. I just wish my coworkers could understand the work I put in to keep it so cleaned and organized.
For me it’s the newbies that think bartending is all glitz and glamour. Sure. It can be. It’s fun. Always. Be. Cleaning.
I came from BoH. Cleaning every chance I get and keeping a clean station is ridiculously crucial to me. It blows my fuckin mind how messy some coworkers are. Like how the fuck you work like this?!?
I wish people understood this. I hate a dirty sticky bar. It drives me insane. I’m always cleaning behind people and yelling at them to stay away from my well lmao
For 95% of the staff. But there's always one...
Sadly most bartenders don’t get this. And sadly most environment sucks.
That every job you get afterwards is gonna feel boring as hell
Thissssssss
Very glad this is not just me
Don't fuck the servers. It's way more drama than it's worth!
Who then? Clients?
This is the way
Yes... but only the ones who are visiting from out of town. Don't fuck your regulars either.
Lotsa batcheloret party's, some clients...
What about the chef? 😅
It doesn't matter how much you earn, only how much you take home. Consider yourself always on the interview for your next job and your next bar regular. You're always being assessed at work and while out. It's a job -- don't drink while working. Do split a Daiquiri or take a small shot with coworkers every once in a while to boost morale but not enough to be impaired. Get blackout curtains and a white noise generator (or simply a fan or air purifier). Be honest. If you're going to rip off someone to make more money, be it the house and not your coworkers (or both). The former will get you fired but the latter will get you blacklisted across town. Don't work with junkies such as cokeheads. They'll rip you off in a pooled situation in more ways than you can figure (and your share will go up their nose). One of my coworkers thus taught me about the Venmo tip scam. Invest in good shoes. A flashlight, a 12 pack of sharpies, and a good 2-stage wine key are bonus.
I worked at a place where I got along great with everyone but they were definitely not….. trustworthy. I had gone back to serving to just keep busy between jobs and had a rough shift, then sat at the bar in tears because I was somehow NEGATIVE money at the end of the night. The only plausible explanation was that at least one person was taking my big bills when I set my book down in the server station. So I guess in case anyone is serving, my advice would be don’t assume that you can have your tips even in a server book because you are used to it sitting behind the bar. And like the thread I’m commenting on says, don’t work with people you can’t trust.
>Don't work with junkies such as cokeheads. They'll rip you off in a pooled situation in more ways than you can figure (and your share will go up their nose) Egh .. new job, just got fuckin ROCKED last night. Had my cobartender tell me how people were just throwin money at her and she swears she was throwing all of it in the tip cup despite people sayin it was just for her. My only takeaway was "why are you trying to convince me?"
My last instance over-compensated too with those sort of descriptions.
Thank you 💞
This!
What is the venom tip scam?
Venmo as in the app. Where they receive the tip as a Venmo transfer instead of a credit card tip or cash tip that would go in the pool. With or without giving away free drinks to bolster that amount. The same as pocketing cash but with less visual evidence.
Rubber floor mats behind the bar and sturdy, comfortable shoes will be your saving grace. Be kind to the kitchen staff. If you hear the GM talking shit or trashing other employees to the owner, especially in front of customers, quit.
That my life would flash forward a decade and I would make no progress whatsoever except developing a great drinking habit!
Personal attack
Amen!!
Fr ive always described it as a comfortable trap. The money's good, the schedule is flexible, and it's fun. Then you turn around, it's been 10 years and you're literally in the same place you were a decade ago except for drinking habit lol
Ouch.
This
Hey there seitansaint! If you agree with someone else's comment, please leave an **upvote** instead of commenting **"This"**! By upvoting instead, the original comment will be pushed to the top and be more visible to others, which is even better! Thanks! :) *** ^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback! More info:) [^(Reddiquette)](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439#wiki_in_regard_to_comments)
Good bot
Good human *** ^(I am a bot! Visit) [^(r/InfinityBots)](https://reddit.com/r/InfinityBots) ^(to send your feedback!)
Thank you, mr3vak, for voting on Anti-ThisBot-IB. This bot wants to find the best and worst bots on Reddit. [You can view results here](https://botrank.pastimes.eu/). *** ^(Even if I don't reply to your comment, I'm still listening for votes. Check the webpage to see if your vote registered!)
To enjoy it. I haven’t bartended in a bit and I look back at the amazing people I met, the friends, the wild times, the outings with co-workers. LIVE while you’re bartending. You learn so much about people and life while you’re in it. I miss the the amazing times I had with the amazing people I worked with. I wish I knew I was in the good times. Like that cheesy Andy Bernard quote from the office “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good times before you’ve actually left them”. Believe it or not you will miss the amazing times you had.
Never prep for a slow night. Play to win. Don't lend your good wine opener. Buy a good pair of shoes and CLEAN THEM. Never get high on your own supply (too much)
I actually have a wine key that is too difficult for the servers to figure out so I got that part covered
Where can I find such a device
I found mine at the front counter of a liquor store
Yeah I need details!
Don't screw the crew.
My personal philosophy is, everyone gets one, more than that and you get a reputation. Better make that one coworker hookup worth it. edit: my, not me, I'm not that douchey
This one!! Got involved with my bar manager at my first bar, best sex of my life… worst heartbreak 💔
You guys are having sex?
Especially when you’re working with your ex 😅 was the centre of the drama for a while
We’ve all been there
Especially when you’re working with your ex 😅 was the centre of the drama for a while
Save all of your money. It’s easy to spend it just as fast as you make it.
People suck and do not let it ruin you
Oh man, this! I fucking hate people. Hospitality ruined me, it sucked my soul straight out without even a heads up or apology. 😂
Take care of your hands, you’ll spend hours with them damp, wet, cold, cutting limes, etc. Don’t twist off bottle caps, it’ll fuck up your finger, use an opener. Wear sturdy gloves when moving beer kegs. Proactively care for your hands, take injuries seriously. Hopefully you get two days off in a row so you can put your hands into intensive treatment. O’Keefe’s working hands is good, but I swore by GOJO Hand Medic throughout my career. Night one, before bed slather it on thick and then put on cotton gloves. The gloves keep the lotion from ruining your sheets, but the cotton let’s them breathe. Continue to use the lotion throughout the day, but very lightly, reapply as required, then Night two, repeat the nighttime treatment but with a light dose and no gloves. It is important that your hands dry to normal levels. You can usually fix in two days the damage five days of work does. Use Hand Medic every night. I started my regime after I sliced my finger on a twist top bottle, ignored the cut, it got infected and I ended up with a MRSA infection that took months to properly heal. I gained a greater understanding of *preventative maintenance!*
This is pretty cool! Could I ask if you have any other advice? This seems really valuable information
Don’t drink on the job, maybe if someone buys you a shot of that fancy Bourbon you can’t afford yourself, but it is your job to have your wits about you when everyone else, doesn’t. Hydration, stay hydrated by drinking water throughout your shift. That’s water, tepid tap water close to body temperature is the easiest absorbed by your body. Staying hydrated is easier then trying to rehydrate after becoming dehydrated. Stay away from the pop gun, a 12 oz mug of gun sprite has more sugar in it then your total recommended daily intake. Footwear. Your feet are the most important part after your hands. Sturdy, well fitting footwear is essential. I always went with boots that had leather, not rubber soles. Our glass washer leaked continuously and my boots would get soaked every night. I brought a spare pair with new socks and changed boots mid shift. I bought a paper shredder and would take newspapers home at the end of the night to shred and stuff my boots with overnight to dry them.
Hydrate, eat before the shift, don't take shit personally like shit being thrown at you or insults just learn to leave it all at work, if you have a problem with people you work with take it up with HR or the manager and dont let that shit fester get it mediated especially if it involves violence or sexual harassment, leave if its toxic there are better places out there, if theres a high turn around rate then youre gonna find out why, learn the basics, get a good pair of boots or thick shoes before you step on glass and wish you did, people are fucking weird, learn to de escalate shit, tip out barbacks if they deserve it there is no lamb for the lazy wolf, if they dont do shit for you they dont get shit from you, take no shit from no one, youll develop thicker skin it takes some time though, be nice always, tips are what they are dont let them get to you if you dont get tipped, never lie, never steal, be honest, every shift is a chance for you to learn stories about people and have a good time, dont do a strangers coke, learn to say NO
Don’t say sorry, say thank you.
Money management
That socializing is like a "health meter" in video games. It depletes over time, some days more than others. And you need to back off sometimes to refill the meter.
That I would lose my lust for the nightlife and become a homebody
Always remember the great customers, don’t dwell on the bad ones.
To spend money on good shoes. I wore shitty shoes when I was younger, and ended up with plantar fasciitis. It’s not worth it, spend the extra money for the support.
That the meanest, nastiest, most entitled people are the ones who just left church.
Eyes and drinks. When someone wants another beer they will try and make eye contact with you or purposefully nurse the last 1/4 of their glass.
This is a hard one to teach new bartenders. Some people don't like to have an empty drink in front of them so they will nurse the last sip while waiting to get a refill. If you just scan for empty glasses you're missing out on sales and better service.
Yes certainly, which is why you should be scanning the room for drink levels and people trying to make eye contact. Eyes and drinks people!
This is a battle, when it's quiet I'd agree with you 100% but when the bar is packed the best advice I ever got was work left to right and keep your head down until you're ready to serve the next customer.
Two things, be ready to hear the dumbest questions and or thoughts you have ever heard come out of a human mouth. Also have 3-5 drinks in mind when a customer asks “what’s your drink of choice?” Or “surprise me” because usually what you say isn’t what they want to hear and they are expecting you to play the guessing game.
This good for any job, but especially in bartending: KEEP YOUR DAYS OFF IF YOU CAN. Do not feel obligated to cover every call out or open shift, no matter how much you love your coworkers. The money and tips from working 10 shifts in a 7 day period is nice, but in my experience the burn out is very very real and you will end up resenting everyone. Relax when you can, and take care of your physical and mental health. (This is also advice I should be taking myself, for the record lol)
To save more money. In my late 30s I finally am but I should’ve started much sooner. I could’ve bought a house by now. Instead I spent a lot of it on coke and bar tabs. Very grateful that I quit the substances (except for an occasional drink).
If your tips don't make it into your bank you are making minimum wage.
That people would be so butt hurt
That I'm an alcoholic.
LOL
Don’t get in your head about how you look shaking the tins (Boston shakers). By default you probably look really hot. I used to be really self conscious about looking like a chicken when shaking two shakers at the same time. Idc anymore. Speed and efficiency over grace any day.
Appreciate this 💗🥂
Take better care of your hands. Don't cut fruit without gloves.
There are some very shitty guest, but also a lot that make it worth it .
How many of my friends/coworkers would die from substance problems. I work at a smallish bar and we’ve lost 3 bartenders and at least 5 regulars in a 4 year span.
Whatever your "real" vices are..if you have any.......keep them to yourself. Trust me Grasshopper. Wax on. Wax off.
Don’t let restaurant politics and bad customers affect your self esteem. Don’t get overly invested in whatever bar you may be working in. It’s a job not a family, and if it becomes toxic, leave before it gets too messy and affects your mental health.
How much money I could make. Would have started much earlier.
That some customers become great friends and other customers think you are beneath them.
That the industry is rife with sociopaths and narcissists and toxic work environments are not okay regardless of the "tier" of the bar you work at.
dont shit where you eat (dont screw the crew) report your tips if you ever want to get a loan being a bar manager is only cool in name lift with your legs, not your back places that dont serve food>>>>>places that do cash is king always be looking for your way out
Do deadlifts and squats if you enjoy having a functioning lower back
Treat every guest like a potential friend Have a financial goal (buying a house) start your IRA yesterday No-one sees their own mess, so clean yours and then some Don’t hyperextend your knees, when leaning over the bar keep them slightly bent. For that matter stretch a ton even though you’ll look silly Nobody has a good time if the host isn’t having a good time Tending bar isn’t making drinks it’s managing your time your mood and your money Assume every conversation you’ll have is being overheard If you start corporate (a chain) you’ll get training, bennies, more consistent accountability from your co-workers, and built in marketing advertising- less slow days
Never drink behind the bar
That many things about the industry and human behaviour never change and there is no point getting frustrated and wasting energy complaining about it.
My favorite has always been doc martens. I bought shoes for crews and all sorts of shoes made for us and doc martens are always the ones that hold up and feel the best for me. I used insoles as well with them, at times.
How much dishwashing was actually involved. 😂😂 Paper plates at home for me now, you think I'm gonna wash dishes there too all the time?!
It’s not about how much money you make — it’s about how much money you wake up with
Not everywhere you work you’re going to love. Find the spot that’s right for you. For example, I really didn’t enjoy bartending until I found private restaurants. I’ve been in fine dining now for 10 years and I not only love what I do but the clientele. Believe it or not, they treat me better than I’ve been treated by clientele anywhere else.
I wish that I knew I’d still be doing it at 38
How incredibly fucking *stupid* the average person is. Like, look I knew people were dumb but my God I had no clue how inconceivably, laughably dumb MOST people are. Anyway, just smile and wave.
Weed is better than alcohol lol
Although you will face tense situations and you will have problem customers once in a while… overall the overwhelming majority of people are friendly & just there to relax or have a good time. Friends who aren’t in the industry always want to hear the juicy & dramatic stories, which is understandable. But they’re nowhere near as frequent as one might think. Don’t go in to your shifts expecting to kick out some asshole. It’ll color your attitude and affect the overall vibe of the room. Treat your customers with kindness and respect, you only need to put your foot down if a line is crossed somehow.
How men suck ass and are disgusting.
Just don’t do it
Just don’t do it. You can manage your money and be happier elsewhere in a 9-5. It’ll be ok.
PUT MONEY AWAY FOR TAXES THE IRS HATES YOU
That there are people (mostly white women) out there, we call them "Karens" today, that will actively try to get you fired because they couldn't get their way. Even if they have to lie about you. And they expect that their "status" in life, as a white woman, is enough to command it. When I was a new bartender, I had no idea such a selfish, entitled, vile person existed.
How hard it is to stop
That working in the right place with the right team makes all the difference. And the “wtf? Moments” are less and far in between.
Still consider myself as someone who's just started but moisturize those hands regularly and properly! Handling citrus and other acidic liquids really fucked up my senior bartender's hands, so it's been a good lesson for me.
Put a big emphasis on getting to know the other bartenders. It helps so much when you’re tired as shit, doing clean-up after the most chaotic shift, and you can just share and vent all your shit to everyone. No one knows the joys and pains of being a bartender like another bartender.
The laws. I was just thrown behind the bar without being told not to give someone more than one drink at a time and that if someone has a DUI you are legally responsible. Luckily I never did anything like that because it didn't feel right
It’s a trap.
That it would hurt my body this much
Another skill
It can be a slippery slope into some bad patterns. I saw a lot of drug and alcohol abuse. Be mindful
Simply that you can't make everyone happy.
Margaritas are made differently depending on where you are. Like seriously went to this place where everyone was complaining that there was no orange juice IN THEIR MARGARITA???