The job of bartender is like being a host at a party that you also have employment at. Having a good personality is essential to being a great bartender. Being able to make people laugh is a good skill to have. While you are serving drinks, do not be afraid to tell some jokes, so long as they are tasteful. Being an entertainer as well as a bartender can make things fun for you and your patrons. Learn how to juggle, or even a magic trick or three. It can loosen up some patrons and also earn you a big tip. Smile till your face hurts, then smile some more. Most of all have fun. This is not just employment, this is being a bartender.
It's also good to be cognitive of your customers drink glass. If they are at the end of their drink, it is time for a refill. However, do not wait until they are completely out to refill it. When they start looking at the glass from the outside of it that means they are running low and they may be in need of another. At that point, take the initiative and ask if they need a refill. Act quickly when someone approaches the bar. Do not stand with your back to them for too long. Efficiency is crucial when being a bartender.
Knowing how to make drinks is an important skill in bartender jobs. The more drinks you know how to make with out having to look them up, the better. Even if you do not work in a fancier club, knowing your drinks is part of the job. Just in case someone asks for a drink that isn't beer, shots, or wine, know how to make it. Also, know your alcohol just in case you need to make a substitution. Knowing your wines can also be good. If you take employment in a wine bar, that knowledge is crucial.
Keep in mind that being a bartender is a job that is all about knowing your customer. The regulars really never change and knowing their drink before they ask for it is great customer service. Try to know the regular customers first name and job if you can. Also, get to know about their spouse. Listening is a usual bartender job. Make their needs your priority and talk to them. They are regulars for a reason. Remember to be friendly to your customers. However, do not let a single customer consume all of your time. It is good to talk to the customers. Most of them are there because they need someone to talk to, but if you have other people to serve, serve them. Be professional while having some fun.
Being able to multitask is greatly helpful as a bartender. Doing multiple things at the same time is part of the job. Counting change at the same time as taking an order is a skill that is necessary in this line of employment. The better and faster the service, the happier the customers will be. Remember, being good at calculating change quickly is helpful, especially when you are really busy. Knowing how to give customers the right change at that second instead of having to go back to the register repeatedly can be very efficient and save you a lot of time.
Being a great bartender means being able to do many different things at the same time. Making sure to keep your customers happy while doing your job quickly and efficiently is a very critical thing in this job. Knowing your drinks and how to make them quickly is also important. Knowing your regulars and being entertaining can help with the customer satisfaction. Being a bartender can make for an interesting job as well as a great experience, especially if you like people and helping people have fun.
