A Bartender is a professional who serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in bars, pubs, restaurants, and other establishments. They are responsible for creating a welcoming atmosphere, crafting delicious drinks, and ensuring customer satisfaction. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Bartenders.

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Main Responsibilities of a Bartender

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Bartender:

Address

Address customer inquiries and complaints.

Adhere to

• Adhere to all applicable alcohol laws and regulations, ensuring responsible service.

• Adhere to all Tumbleweed sanitation standards.

• Adhere to company's sanitation procedures.

• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the Steps Service Manual.

• Adhere to the Health and Safety policies and procedures outlined in the Health and Safety Program.

Anticipate

Anticipate guests needs by constantly evaluating the environment and guests.

Ask

Ask guests who become loud and obnoxious to leave, or physically remove them.

Assemble

Assemble / dismantle bar area according to proper procedures.

Assess

• Assess customer preferences and adjust drink recipes accordingly.

• Assess guests needs and preferences and make recommendations accordingly.

Assist in

• Assist fellow team members to ensure overall guest satisfaction.

• Assist in other areas as needed.

• Assist the bartender in the preparation of beverages as needed.

• Assist with Busser, Food Runner and Barista duties as directed.

• Assist with the cleaning, sanitation and organization of the restaurant.

Assume

Assume accountability and responsibility of all duties as assigned by management.

Assure

Assure each guest is greeted promptly, courteously, graciously with eye contact, and a smile.

Attend

Attend pre-shift meeting conducted by Manager on Duty prior to start of each shift.

Build

Build and maintain positive working relationships with store personnel.

Check

• Check completed orders with the guest's original order.

• Check customers identification and confirm if it meets legal drinking age.

• Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.

• Check identification of guests to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.

• Check identification to verify the legal drinking age of customers.

Clean

• Clean and sanitize prep room and coolers as appropriate.

• Clean up after guests and clean work area.

Clear

Clear tables and provide quality service to our customers.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate and communicate with other staff members to work as part of a well organised team.

• Collaborate with other bar staff to ensure smooth operations and teamwork.

• Collaborate with other restaurant servers and kitchen / bar staff.

Collect

• Collect cash, credit / debit cards or other payment for beverages.

• Collect payment and operate POS.

Communicate

• Communicate all pertinent information to the restaurant team.

• Communicate effectively with Front of House and Back of House.

• Communicate guest needs and promotes guest recognition.

Complete

• Complete regular opening and closing duties.

• Complete side work promptly and in accordance to standards.

• Complete understanding of all food and beverage items.

Coordinate

Coordinate daily supply inventory for bar and submits orders to supervisor.

Count

Count and weigh bar inventory.

Create

• Create and nurture a fun , positive work environment.

• Create a positive guest experience through friendly interaction.

Detect

Detect and act upon guest inebriation as trained.

Develop

Develop and maintain interpersonal relationships with repeat guests.

Document

Document waste and take the necessary steps to avoid waste and limit costs.

Drive

Drive engagement of users during product trials, on-boarding and post-sales.

Engage

Engage with customers, build rapport, and provide exceptional customer service.

Ensure

• Ensure a clean and safe working environment.

• Ensure a clean, sanitized and well stocked bar.

• Ensure bar is clean and arranged according to specifications.

• Ensure customers are welcomed upon entrance to the restaurant.

• Ensure exceptional guest service through communication and follow-up with employees and guests.

• Ensure guest satisfaction throughout the event.

• Ensure responsible alcohol service per local ordinance alcohol awareness training and HOB policies.

• Ensure staff adherence of company policy and procedures.

• Ensure that they do not exceed the allotted number of drinks.

• Ensure tips are reported properly for tax processing.

• Ensure weekly beverage cost is in line with budget.

Fill

Fill drink orders directly from guests and from service well printer.

Follow

• Follow alcohol awareness procedures and policies.

• Follow all alcoholic beverage laws, policies and regulations.

• Follow all relevant health department rules / regulations and all customer service guidelines.

• Follow all safety regulations and help keep the store free of dangerous situations.

• Follow proper procedures for stocking and cleaning bar area.

• Follow the Hudsons standards when it comes to pouring our beers and making cocktails.

• Follow through on lost and found procedures.

• Follow through with any special requests or recommendations from management.

• Follow us on our careers social media pages!.

Greet

• Greet and welcome customers as they arrive at the bar.

• Greet Guests upon entering and exiting the restaurant.

Guest

• Guest focused and solution-driven.

• Guest relations are required.

Handle

• Handle and resolve customer complaints or concerns in a professional manner.

• Handle cash and credit card procedures according to the guidelines of the accounting department.

• Handle cash transactions and process payments accurately.

• Handle paperwork and other administrative duties.

• Handle payments and gratuities, make change, and process voids through SQUIRREL system accurately.

Help

Help with opening and closing duties, setting up and breaking down the bar.

Identify

Identify security risks and threats to the business based on a variety of sources.

Inform

Inform guests of specials and suggests appetizers and specialty items, up-selling whenever possible.

Initiate

Initiate interaction with customers on the sales floor.

Interact with

• Interact with customers according to the company Steps of Services.

• Interact with customers, take orders and serve snacks and drinks.

Issue

Issue bills and accept payment.

Keep

• Keep station clean, sets up and takes down station tables appropriately.

• Keep work area clean and organized.

Leave

Leave bar clean and ready for the next shift.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean workspace.

• Maintain a commitment to customer service and guest satisfaction.

• Maintain a friendly and warm demeanor at all times.

• Maintain a friendly, helpful, and positive attitude while at work.

• Maintain all food safety and sanitation procedures and regulations.

• Maintain all men's golf and dress shoes according to Club and industry standards.

• Maintain a positive work attitude.

• Maintain a safe and clean environment for guests and team.

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of beverage recipes and mixing procedures.

• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.

• Maintain bar area stocked and clean.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the bar area.

• Maintain cleanliness in dining room and bar area.

• Maintain cleanliness of the bar and stores to Health, Safety and Hygiene standards at all times.

• Maintain current state / local required alcohol service certification.

• Maintain dining ambiance with an enthusiastic attitude.

• Maintain inventory and control bar stock.

• Maintain inventory levels in storage area.

• Maintain knowledge of all menus (food, cocktail, beer, non alcohol) including specials.

• Maintain knowledge of and actively promote menu, beverages and current promotions.

• Maintain performance standards and motivates team through positive role modeling.

• Maintain proper and adequate set-up of the bar on a daily basis.

• Maintain proper stocking levels of all beverages working with Pub manager.

• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with BC Lynd Standards, as required by scheduling, which.

• Maintain safe food handling and sanitation standards.

• Maintain The Van Buren safety and sanitation standards.

Make

• Make eye contact with and smile at every customer.

• Make money with a flexible.

• Make suggestions based on customer tastes and preferences.

Mix

Mix and garnish cocktails according to standard specs.

Monitor

Monitor bar inventory and restock supplies as needed.

Obtain

• Obtain and maintain current food handlers and OLCC / WA liquor license.

• Obtain sales leads for the sales department.

Operate

• Operate baler and compactors.

• Operate in a fast-paced brewpub bar serving beer, wine, and liquor.

Perform

• Perform accurate bar inventory as deemed necessary by the Restaurant Manager.

• Perform all job functions, special projects, and other tasks as assigned.

• Perform all opening and closing duties as assigned.

• Perform assigned side work.

• Perform cash out functions at the end of each shift.

• Perform cleaning and stocking duties as assigned.

• Perform opening / closing bartending duties.

• Perform side work at the start and end of each shift as required.

• Perform tip declaration activities.

Plan

Plan and maintain par levels for bar inventory.

Pour

Pour beer with proper amount of head and in appropriate glassware.

Prepare

• Prepare all drinks, garnishes, mixers, syrups, etc. according to the proper procedure & recipe.

• Prepare and mix a wide variety of beverages, including cocktails, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks.

• Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in accordance with standard recipes.

• Prepare and serve all beverages to Turtle Jack's standards.

• Prepare mixed drinks, wine, draft or bottled beer and non-alcoholic beverages.

Process

• Process all payment methods and complete cashier reports.

• Process bills and payment.

Promote

• Promote a harassment free environment.

• Promote and engage all Guests in all local and national promotions.

Provide

• Provide an exclusive premium service experience to members of our VIP areas.

• Provide an outstanding dining experience for our patrons.

• Provide a personalized bar experience for every Guest.

• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a professional demeanor.

• Provide exemplary guest service.

• Provide food and drinks to guests in an efficient, timely and friendly manner.

• Provide information about products and looks for opportunity to "up-sell” products.

• Provide information to guests including beverage menu descriptions.

• Provide service to the Servers by making drinks for the service bar.

Put

Put away any paper, plastic and beverage requisitions that came in that day.

Read

Read and write handwritten notes.

Reflect

Reflect an appropriate business image to customers and visitors.

Report

• Report all safety incidents to on-duty supervisor.

• Report for duty 5 minutes before the scheduled time, clean tidy and wearing the correct uniform.

Request

Request identification from any guest who appears to be under 30 years of age.

Respond to

• Respond promptly to customer need.

• Respond to questions in a timely and proper manner.

Secure

Secure upfront authorization of payment from members.

Serve

• Serve food items to guests seated at the bar.

• Serve guests in a professional, efficient and courteous manner.

Solicit

Solicit customer feedback to improve service.

Start

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Stay updated on

Stay updated on current drink trends and mixology techniques.

Stock

• Stock and maintain all bar products including misen place.

• Stock / restock appropriate areas of the bar with alcohol, glassware, ice and supplies.

Support

Support all special events within the Club.

Take

• Take and serve drink orders in a timely manner.

• Take and serve food / drinks orders and up-sell any additional products.

• Take drink orders from patrons and provide recommendations based on their preferences.

• Take order, reviews and enters into micros.

• Take orders from customers or Server.

Transport

Transport items, food & beverage or amenities, to the guest desired.

Understand

Understand and follows the standards of service.

Uphold

• Uphold complete knowledge of all menu items, liquor brands, beers and non-alcoholic selections.

• Uphold the highest standards of beverage quality.

Upsell

Upsell and promote special drinks, promotions, or events.

Use

• Use equipment and materials properly.

• Use every possible opportunity to gain knowledge in all areas of bar supervision.

• Use guest name and engages with guest.

• Use utilities and resources in a responsible manner to control wastage.

Utilize

Utilize bartending tools and equipment to create visually appealing and flavorful drinks.

Wash

Wash all glassware and bar utensils after each use.

Watch

Watch and account for any spillage of liquor.

Wipe down

Wipe down all bottles and surfaces.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Bartender:

1. Proficiency in drink preparation and mixology techniques.

2. Knowledge of various alcoholic beverages, including types, brands, and flavor profiles.

3. Familiarity with bartending tools and equipment, such as shakers, strainers, and jiggers.

4. Ability to accurately measure and pour ingredients to maintain consistency.

5. Competence in creating classic and contemporary cocktail recipes.

6. Understanding of different glassware and garnishing techniques.

7. Knowledge of beer and wine varieties, including serving temperatures and glassware.

8. Ability to operate cash registers and POS systems for efficient order processing.

9. Proficiency in handling and pouring draft beer.

10. Knowledge of basic bar maintenance, including cleaning and sanitizing procedures.

11. Understanding of health and safety regulations related to food and beverage service.

12. Skill in multitasking and working in a fast-paced environment.

13. Ability to handle and resolve minor technical issues with bar equipment.

14. Knowledge of drink pricing and inventory management.

15. Familiarity with local and state liquor laws and age verification procedures.

16. Ability to create custom drink recipes based on customer preferences.

17. Knowledge of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktail preparation.

18. Proficiency in using garnishes and decorative techniques to enhance drink presentation.

19. Skill in opening and closing procedures, including cash handling and reconciliation.

20. Competence in pouring and serving wine, including proper decanting techniques.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Bartender:

1. Excellent communication skills to interact with customers and fellow staff members.

2. Friendly and approachable demeanor to create a welcoming atmosphere.

3. Strong customer service skills to provide a positive experience for patrons.

4. Active listening to understand customer preferences and cater to their needs.

5. Ability to work under pressure and handle demanding situations.

6. Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate varying customer preferences.

7. Time management skills to prioritize tasks and serve customers promptly.

8. Teamwork and collaboration to work effectively with other bartenders and staff.

9. Problem-solving skills to handle customer complaints or challenging situations.

10. Professionalism and integrity to adhere to ethical and legal standards of service.

Conclusion

By possessing a combination of technical expertise, customer service prowess, and essential soft skills, Bartenders can excel in their role and provide memorable experiences for patrons while contributing to the overall success of the establishment. Whether it's mixing the perfect cocktail, engaging with customers, or maintaining a well-stocked bar, Bartenders play a vital role in creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere for guests.