Who is a bartender?

Tuesday, July 12, 2022 9:24 AM

The central figure in any bar is a bartender. He has many responsibilities, which includes being a sales person, an
entertainer, a psychologist (a listening ear to a customer’s woes) and mixologist.

The main function of a bartender is to mix and serve drinks for patrons at the bar/ pour drinks ordered by customers at a
restaurant.

The bartender is typically a host and a promoter, whose skills and style translate into public relations which builds good
business. A good bartender will generate good PR (public relations) for your business.

JOB DESCRIPTION OF A BARTENDER

1. Prepare cocktails as per recipe and serve as per specification

2. Prep, clean and stock the work area before, during and after your shift
3. A bartender accepts credit cards, cash and coupons for products. Perform cash register functions and check out
accurately
4. As a bartender you should know how to perform silent selling and up-selling functions.
5. Monitor customers for intoxication, rowdiness or for drinks.

THE BARTENDER’S KEEN EYE

1. The bartender should be able to keep track of the number of drinks served to each customer. Once a customer
comes to your bar, you are responsible for them. If anything happens to them, you should be able to provide
information about what occurred.
2. You should be able to recognize behaviors that might indicate an increase in intoxication. Look at their speech
pattern, body language, their behavior etc. If you realize a customer is reaching a point where they should not have
more liquor, you have the right to refuse them.
3. Understand drink equivalences. This means how strong different drinks are.
4. Observe guests to determine how many drinks are too many. You should know when to cut off your guests.
5. Encourage alternatives to alcohol, such as snacks, coffee, soup, dinner etc.
6. Tactfully, but firmly refuse to serve the person who cannot handle anymore.

SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A GOOD BARTENDER

1. A bartender needs to have good customer service skills. A bartender’s personality affects the reputation of the
bar/restaurant.
2. A bartender must have good decision making skills. Eg, asking for ID if you’re unsure of a customer’s age.
3. A bartender must have people skills. A good bartender should be friendly, tactful and attentive.
4. A bartender must have stamina. A bartender works on his feet for long hours and does heavy lifting.
5. Another skill required is team work. Bartenders usually don’t work alone, and as such you need to be able to work
with other workers in the establishment to ensure efficient service.
6. You need to have good showmanship. You need to do things with some flare to keep guests entertained.

PERSONAL PRESENTATION

Personal presentation at work includes:

1. Physical presentation such as how you dress. It is important to maintain a clean and tidy uniform because it reflects
the hygiene of your bar/restaurant. A dirty uniform is a turn off for customers. Dirt/bacteria can also contaminate
drinks and food without you even noticing.
2. Your personal hygiene (Example: Body odor, hair/facial hair etc)
3. How you speak to both employees and customers
4. How you deal with issues at work

STANDARDS OF DRESSING AS A BARTENDER

1. Full company uniform must be worn at all times while you’re on duty or during working hours.
2. The uniforms must not be altered in anyway without the company’s permission.
3. Employees are required to follow the issued rules for wearing the uniform
4. As an employee, you are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of your uniform
5. Employees should report any defects or damage to their uniform
6. Employees are required to wear flat, dark colored, smart, comfortable, slip resistant shoes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE PERSONAL PRESENTATION

1. Self confidence: You need to have confidence in your position as a bartender. You must be sure of what your
doing to ensure good service.
2. Job satisfaction: Every employer wants his/her employee to be able to do their job to the best of their ability. You
must meet the job requirements
3. Personal development: When you are dressed well, look presentable and have good personal hygiene, you feel
more confident in the workplace.
4. Establishment image: It puts your restaurant above other restaurants
5. It creates customer confidence: A clean, well put together bartender shows to a customer that drinks and food
served by a him/her are ensured to be good and clean.
6. Other staff: By practicing positive personal presentation, it can create a certain level of respect with other staff.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE

A professional attitude is the behavior that a worker displays in the workplace towards a customer, the boss, or other
employees.

Good professional attitudes

1. A professional is always punctual because he or she respects the valuable time of others.
2. A professional is responsible and does what should be done. Make sure all your responsibilities and duties are
carried out before, during and after work hours.
3. A professional follows their supervisor’s instructions.
4. A professional helps to maintain safety in the workplace.
5. A professional respects private and public property
6. A professional obeys the rules of the workplace
7. A professional arrives ready to work, appropriately dressed with his or her tools.
8. A professional asks questions rather than risk making serious mistakes.
9. A professional is observant and sees what needs to done
10. A professional responds positively to criticisms and evaluations

IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE

1. Self: It helps you to become a better employee

2. Important to your work colleagues: By having a professional attitude, it will help you in gaining the respect of your
colleagues. Once you have that respect and trust, you will then create a more productive working environment
3. Employer: Having or displaying good professional attitude shows your employer that you have satisfied the job
requirements.
4. Customers: Having a good professional attitude let’s you think about how you want others to see you

HOMEWORK:
Identify the laws and regulations related to the food and beverage establishments in Jamaica and outline its importance to
the bartender and to the establishment

JULY 13, 2022

THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS

When communication is effective, it means that the recipient/s should be able to understand the information and respond
accordingly and appropriately. As a bartender, you should be able to communicate effectively with your customers and
co-workers.

Communication is sending and receiving information between two or more people. The person sending the message is
referred to as the sender while the person receiving the information is called the receiver. Did you know, communication
is effective when the person receiving the message understands its meaning and expresses it back to the sender.

There are two types of communication:

• Verbal communication: This is simply sending a message through a spoken language that is understood by both the
sender and the receiver.
• Non-verbal communication: It involves communicating by sending and receiving wordless messages. These
messages usually re-enforce verbal communication, however they can also send thoughts and feelings on their
own.