7 Myths About Bartending

Bartending is often glamorized in TV shows and movies. The bartender effortlessly whips up complex cocktails, maintains friendly banter with customers, and expertly manages the controlled chaos of a busy bar.

While bartending can be a fun and rewarding job, the reality is often far from the fantasy. Let's debunk some common myths about life behind the bar.

Myth 1: Bartenders Drink on the Job

One of the biggest misconceptions about bartenders is that they drink while working. However, most bartenders refrain from drinking alcohol during their shift for several reasons:

• It's unprofessional - Drinking on the job could get a bartender fired. Most bars prohibit employees from drinking.
• It's dangerous - Bartending requires coordination, customer service skills, and alertness. Drinking compromises those abilities.
• Overserving - Bartenders are responsible for monitoring customer intoxication levels and cutting people off if necessary. That's harder to do accurately if the bartender has been drinking.
• DUI - After a shift, bartenders may have to drive home. Drinking at work increases the risk of driving under the influence.

While bartenders do have to taste drinks to check quality, they spit out the alcohol rather than swallow it. Intoxicated bartenders are bad for business.

Myth 2: Bartenders Must Know Every Drink Recipe

With hundreds of cocktails and new ones being invented constantly, is memorizing every drink recipe a prerequisite for bartending? Not at all.

Experienced bartenders build a mental catalog of popular cocktails they make frequently. But no one knows every single drink - that's unrealistic. Keeping a drink recipe book on hand is standard practice. Bartenders also need:

• Knowledge of key ingredients and flavors
• Understanding of basic drink preparation methods
• Ability to follow recipes and measurements precisely
• Creativity to modify and substitute ingredients if needed

The mark of a skilled bartender isn't memorizing hundreds of recipes. It's the ability to make and adapt drinks to customers' tastes.

Myth 3: Bartenders Only Work Nights and Weekends

The typical image of a bartender is someone working evenings and weekends at a lively bar. While that's partly accurate, bartenders work all sorts of shifts.

Some bartending opportunities outside of late nights:

• Daytime and lunch shifts at restaurants and hotels
• Afternoon/early evening happy hour crowds
• Morning/brunch service at cafes and bistros
• Daytime events like weddings and private parties
• Cruise ships, concert venues, resorts (varied schedules)

Experienced bartenders can often find jobs with schedules conducive to a normal life outside of work. But late nights and weekends are usually unavoidable at the beginning of a bartending career.

Myth 4: Bartenders Make Tons of Money from Tips

The idea that bartenders rake in wads of cash in tips is exaggerated. While bartenders at high-end establishments in big cities earn sizeable tips, it varies tremendously:

• Location?- Urban and affluent areas tip better
• Clientele?- Business travelers, cocktail drinkers tip more
• Shift?- Weekend and night shifts generally get better tips
• Events?- Volume spikes on holidays or for celebrations
• Season?- Warm weather and tourism boost summer tips

After tipping out other staff, taxes, and lulls between peak times, bartenders' take-home pay from tips can be unreliable. Tips should be considered a bonus, not a stable income stream.

Myth 5: Bartending Doesn't Require Much Training

Since no formal education is needed, some assume bartending is an easy gig anyone can learn quickly. This myth underestimates the varied skills quality bartending requires:

• Customer service - Making good drinks is only part of the job. Bartenders also create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Physical stamina - Being on your feet for hours while remaining energetic and friendly is tiring.
• Multi-tasking - Bartenders often serve multiple customers while mixing drinks, restocking, and monitoring the room. Doing several things at once with precision is challenging.
• People skills - Dealing diplomatically with intoxicated patrons is an art form. Defusing conflicts and managing problematic customers is mandatory.
• Business skills - Bartenders must have basic math, budgeting, inventory, and sometimes management skills.

Good bartenders work hard to make their job look easy. There's much more to it than many people assume.

Myth 6: Bartenders Lead a Glamorous Lifestyle

As depicted in media, the bartender lifestyle looks glamorous, exciting, and filled with perks. Reality is less fabulous:

• Irregular hours - Nights, weekends, and holidays take a toll.
• Being "on stage" - Constant social interaction can be draining. Introverts beware!
• Dealing with intoxicated people - The charm wears off this customer type.
• Physically demanding - Hours of physical work leave bartenders dead on their feet.
• Minimal benefits - Most bartending jobs offer no insurance, retirement savings, or paid vacation.
• Irregular income - Income fluctuates based on shifts and seasons.

While bartenders do enjoy a fun and lively work atmosphere, the job requires major sacrifices. The glamour is overhyped.

Myth 7: Bartenders Pick Up Dates All the Time

The idea that bartenders are constantly sought after for dates by customers is mostly fiction. Smooth, flirtatious bartenders make better TV characters than real-life professionals.

Successful bartenders avoid:

• Showing favoritism for better tips
• Unprofessional conduct with customers
• Anything that would make customers uncomfortable

They also recognize that alcohol-fueled behavior doesn't reflect true intentions. And getting involved with intoxicated customers can create liability issues.

Bartenders are friendly, outgoing professionals doing a job - not looking for dates. Customers should treat their bartenders with the same respect as any other service professional.

Key Takeaways

While media depictions exaggerate the glamour of bartending, it's an engaging job for people who enjoy lively social interaction and fast-paced environments. It does require learning specialized skills. Bartenders work hard to deliver friendly service and an enjoyable experience.

Above all, patrons should see bartenders as skilled professionals providing a service - not as stereotypical characters. Showing them respect and appreciation

So in summary, while media depictions glamorize and exaggerate bartending, it is a challenging yet engaging service job. Bartenders work hard to develop expertise in making drinks, customer service, and managing the unique demands of the bar environment.