So you want to be a bartender? Join the club. With every aspiring Broadway star and Baruch grad student vying for that much coveted spot behind the bar, you better have what it takes to make it. And if you think all it takes is a pretty face, think 
again. I sat down with Joseph Bruno, Executive Director of the American Bartender School, for a crash course on what it takes to make it, when the best time to get a job is and why you don't really need to be a mixologist.
How to Become a Bartender: What It Takes
Don’t be fooled by the pretty face behind the counter – they actually do know what they’re doing. While being attractive does come in handy when trying to find a bartending gig, it’s not the most important thing. Because apparently bar owners actually do care if you can do the job. And do it right. Bruno notes that the ideal candidate not only has the right attitude but will be able to make money for the club.
“If you were to approach an owner with respectable business savvy, meaning, you know how to up sell the bar at the higher price point items to boost profit, you know how to expedite well, you know how to pour accurately so you’re not wasting inventory, you know how to reconcile cash accurately – these things are what make a bartender knowledgeable. These things are what sell you.”
But if you don’t know how to do those things?
“If you go in and you don’t know what you’re talking about business wise, they hit you with the time tested excuse of “you don’t have enough experience.” This is really bullshit because the job is really easy,” Bruno notes.
Of course, having a pretty face never hurt anyone. ” There are very smart girls who also happen to be gorgeous as well. And those are the ones who are superstars. If you have a working knowledge of the industry and you happen to be a model, you’re going to do very well,” says Bruno.
How to Become a Bartender: When to Try It
According to Bruno, there are three times of year when hiring is most prevalent. The middle of January, when students return to school, the end of April, which is before the summer rush and finally, before the holiday season. And because there is such a high turnover, there is a good chance of finding a job during these times. But like most jobs, you will have to go on a few interviews.
Bruno notes that the more interviews you go on, the likelier you will get hired.
“The key is numbers. You have to go on a lot of interviews. You can’t expect to go on one interview and get the job. Again, it depends. Some people can get it after one and others go on 100 and don’t get a job. But then, if you’re going on 100 interviews with places that you know are hiring, what are you doing wrong that they’re not hiring you?”
In which case, you must reevaluate whether or not you know the business as well as the owner wants you to. And once you’re hired, look forward to a hefty paycheck, even if you’re not working at the Marquees of New York.
“Even low end, these jobs pay well. It’s very rare that a bartender will leave a 6 hour shift with less than $100. So its still $500 a week, which a great earning. Compared to other jobs in the nightlife realm, it’s good,” he says.
How to Become a Bartender: To School or Not to School
Yes. And no. In New York, who you know is as important as what you know. And so, if you find yourself new to the city and want a job ASAP, go take the courses. They will place you. If you’ve been in New York forever and know a million and one people who can help you, use them. If you know what you’re doing, you’ll have no problem getting a job.
How to Become a Bartender: So You Want to Be a Mixologist
Sounds snazzy, right? But what does it really mean? Nothing, according to Bruno.
“What that is? It’s bullshit. Bar chef. Mixologist. You can call it whatever you want. All of these fancy names mean nothing. The dollar amount that person makes is going to be the same whether they call themselves a bartender or bar chef or mixologist.”
Flare bartending, on the other hand, does increase the dollar amount one receives but simply because of the show. Unfortunately, flare bartending is not so common in cities such as New York. Bruno notes the expense of insurance is far too much and not all that worth it.
“If you’re throwing a bottle in New York and it falls on someone, they’re going to sue you for everything you have. If you see it in Vegas, it’s because they spend hundreds of millions on clubs.”
In addition, flare bartenders must be certified so expect to take some additional classes before you start throwing those bottles.
How to Become a Bartender: From New York to Los Angeles
There are many differences between New York and LA and that doesn’t stop at bartending. If you’re interested in working as a bartender in Los Angeles, you better be 21. In New York, while you still have to be 21 to drink, you only have to be 18 to work.
If you're interested in learning more, call the American Bartenders School at 1-800-532-9222 or visit barschool.com.
