Bartending Blog (2)

Where Can I earn the most money as a bartender?

February 5th, 2008

We have probably been asked this question tens of thousands of times by students and prospective students in countless bartending schools that we have operated.  Here are our best answers based on our own experiences in running and operating bars, being bartenders and managers, operating active bartending job placement assistance programs and being interactive with our grads out at work.

Any type of place can be a source for great income….contingent on one thing;  the bar has to be busy….and you have to work during busy shifts.  In other words it doesn’t matter if its the hottest club, an ultra fancy high end hotel, a chain restaurant, a neighborhood bar, a sports bar, a biker bar, or whatever.  If the place is busy you can make money.  If its not busy….you and the owner/operators have to make it busy during your shifts.

The key, as with any service business is “customer service”.  You don’t need to be the most compelling personality in all of Western Pennsylvania, or the best looking, hottest, most amazing eye candy….etc.  You have to be nice, personable.  The biggest thing you have to do is make your customers comfortable at the bar.  Do that, and create an environment where you will make regulars, and build customers and you’ll start making a lot of money.

The type of bar depends on you.  If you are 21 and primarily comfortable with your peers…..and sort of uncomfortable with elders….don’t work in a fancy hotel or restaurant bar where the customer base is in their upper 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s.

On the other hand if you are working in a mega club with about 15 bar stations, including some in the center of the action and some in the corners, upstairs, or away from most of the customers…..don’t expect to make tons of money….if you are in the corner bar.  In fact the managers put you there to see if you can make money.  Do a good job, better than their average and they’ll move you to the best locations in time.

The neat thing about bartending school is that we teach every type of bartending from the trendiest club environments to classic fancy bartending.  One of the cool things we have seen over the years is when grads shift from type of establishment that reflects their changing interests over time.

Want to find out more?  Arrange to visit our school.  Call us at (412) 921-9227 and arrange a free visit. 

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What do Harbor Lights, Klondike, a Peach Smoothie, Black Jack WV, and Butt Fucks have in Common?

January 16th, 2008

Okay Pittsburgh….what do ya know?  Anyone have this figured out? 

They are all drink recipes with Yukon Jack!!  Familiar with it?

There isn’t a lot of it around.  Its a Canadian Whiskey flavored with honey.  A real unique taste.  A little little bit like Drambuie.  And its strong….usually 100 proof when sold in the States.

Anyways, all those drinks have Yukon Jack in them.  A lot of those little devils are strong and sweet, the ideal shooter for so many different bars.

Want to learn some recipes and add them to your favorite mixes?  Visit  barfinder.com  . Its a fun website with bar info, drink recipes, dj activity all around the country.  We need more mention in Pittsburgh.

And by the way…..if you really like Yukon Jack….(and I do) better hang out with a designated driver.  Those drinks and others will do you in!!!! 

 

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Part Time Night and Weekend Jobs in Pittsburgh

January 14th, 2008

Bartending is the perfect part-time job.  Whether you are working 1,2,  or 3 nights a week it is one of the only part-time jobs where you will be smiling through your work.

In Pittsburgh and throughout the surrounding counties there are always, bars, clubs, restaurants looking for someone to fill a shift or three.  This isn’t just true for Pittsburgh but its applicable around Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation.

Bartending shifts enable you to make that extra money while enjoying yourself.  Get some experience and you’ll soon learn how to make more and more money.  Even at the most unassuming local bars and taverns you’ll get to work the regular customers over and quickly develop skills to earn larger tips.

Hotels, restaurants, local bars all see consistant turnover.  Bartenders don’t have a reputation for being the most reliable workers.  With constant turnover there are always opportunities to get use your skills to land a first part-time bartending gig, develop your skills, and start turning it into a tremendous income making/fun/endeavor.

Regardless of all else, the most important qualities are reliability and personality.  Every restaurant, bar, club in the nation has problems with keeping reliable people in the business.  If you have these qualities employers will love you.

Personality will make you and your bar a lot of money.  Get to know your customers.  Treat them well.  Make sure they are comfortable and having fun at the bar.

The more they enjoy the atmosphere, the more money you will make.

How much should you be earning.  We never like to overstate it.  At average bars on average weekday nights we have heard from thousands of grads they have earned in a range between $50-$150 an evening.  If it is consistantly less than $50 then don’t keep working there.  The bar is too slow.

The longer you work, the more you’ll start making.  At that point the sky is the limit. 

But remember one other thing.  Its the only part-time job you can imagine where you’ll be smiling through your entire shift. 

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Pittsburgh offers International Bartending Opportunities

January 10th, 2008

As a member of the World Bartending Training Organization our school offers reciprocal bartending training and job placement assistance around the country and the world. In fact, our sister schools have specifically trained bartenders for high end hotels throughout the world. We have assisted WBTO grads from many nations and provided them with placement assistance in various cities.

How popular is bartending around the world? According to the Wall Street Journal just 2 weeks ago bartending schools in India are springing up throughout the nation.

So if you are looking for a skill you can take anywhere, let us know!

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Late Night Jobs in Pittsburgh

January 10th, 2008

Bartenders and Taxi Drivers should work together!!

After speaking with a recent student who was a taxi driver and made a lot of money off of bartenders, we were reminded of this little pearl of wisdom to make more money and be a smarter bartender. 

Bartenders and taxi drivers can benefit by getting to know one another and working together.  Its a smart move for those that work evening shifts and want to make more money.

After years of running bars and bartending schools we know that every bar and most bartenders desperately need to get to know reliable taxi drivers.  Every bar will have customers that need a taxi ride home.  There are times when they have drunk too much and need safe transport.  In fact plenty of bartenders will  lose their drivers license at some point.  They will need a taxi ride to their place of work.

There is more value to knowing taxi drivers.  All those drivers that ferry visitors back and forth from the airports are going to get plenty of questions about where to go in the city.  Its terrific to have a taxi driver advertise your bar and your shifts to newcomers to town.

Meanwhile taxi drivers can make great money by being a reliable connection to a bar and bartenders.   The student we spoke with had a great connection to a popular suburban bar and made extra money every week being the “taxi of choice” to that bar, its employees and customers.

So hook up with a taxi driver.  It will increase your income and enhance your bartending!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hello world!

December 15th, 2007

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