How to Be Bartender Helper - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 5, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rise of online ordering has caused a major shift in the restaurant industry. Bartenders are now spending more time preparing drinks for delivery, which has led to an increase in the demand for bartender helpers. These helpers can provide assistance with stocking and organizing ingredients, crafting cocktails, and keeping up with customer orders.

With the help of bartender helpers, bartenders can focus on creating delicious drinks, rather than spending all their time on administrative tasks. This helps create a better experience for customers and ensures that orders are completed quickly and accurately.

Steps How to Become

Complete a High School Diploma. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent to become a Bartender Helper.
Obtain On-the-Job Training. Many employers prefer to hire employees who have prior experience working in a bar or restaurant. It is possible to obtain on-the-job training from a current Bartender.
Obtain a Serving Permit. Most states require all bartenders and bar helpers to obtain a serving permit. This permit can be obtained from the local government office in your area.
Learn About Mixology. Bartending involves making drinks, so you should have a good knowledge of mixology and the basics of making drinks. You should also learn about different types of alcohol, liqueurs, and mixers to understand how to make different drinks.
Learn About Safety Practices. You should always practice safety when working as a Bartender Helper. This includes understanding how to properly store and handle alcohol and knowing the local laws and regulations regarding serving alcoholic beverages.
Develop Good Customer Service Skills. As a Bartender Helper, it is important to have strong customer service skills to ensure that customers are happy and satisfied with your service.
Maintain a Professional Appearance. Bartenders and Bar Helpers must maintain a professional appearance at all times while working. This includes wearing appropriate clothing and having a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance.

Having a reliable and efficient bartender is key to running a successful bar. Good customer service is essential, and being able to rely on your staff to provide quick and accurate service is essential in keeping customers happy. Training your bartenders properly is the first step in providing reliable and efficient service.

Not only should they know how to properly mix drinks and use their equipment, but they should also be taught how to interact with customers in a friendly and professional manner. having the right supplies on hand and keeping them organized will help ensure that a bartender can quickly mix a drink without having to search for ingredients or tools. Finally, making sure that bartenders keep up with their duties and responsibilities, such as restocking items and cleaning up after customers, will help maintain the efficiency of the bar service.

You may want to check Bartending Assistant, Beverage Server/Bartender, and Craft Beer Specialist for alternative.

Job Description

Greet customers in a friendly manner
Take orders accurately and efficiently
Prepare alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Serve food items to customers
Keep the bar area clean and stocked
Maintain a safe and responsible drinking environment
Monitor customer alcohol consumption
Balance cash drawers and process payments
Answer questions about menu items and beverages
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and their ingredients
Ability to follow recipes for drinks accurately
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Knowledge of draught beer systems and wine service
Knowledge of state and local alcohol laws
Ability to handle customer complaints
Ability to recognize signs of intoxication
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to problem-solve quickly
Ability to operate cash registers and other point-of-sale equipment
Ability to monitor customer consumption
Ability to lift and carry heavy trays of drinks
Ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time
Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards

The most important skill to have when working as a bartender is the ability to multitask. This is because bartenders often have to take orders from multiple customers at once, serve drinks quickly, and even manage any disputes that may arise. Having the ability to multi-task can help ensure that the customers get their drinks in a timely manner, and that any issues that arise get dealt with promptly.

having excellent customer service skills is essential, as bartenders are expected to be friendly and helpful. Being able to think on your feet is also important, as some of the more complicated drink orders may require a bit of creativity. Finally, having a good knowledge of different drinks is essential, as it allows bartenders to make drinks quickly while still delivering quality drinks.

All of these skills combined make for an effective bartender that is able to keep customers happy and coming back for more.

Bartender/Server, Beer Pourer, and Cocktail Waitress are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in bartending?
How do you handle difficult customers?
What methods do you use to ensure efficient and accurate drink preparation?
How do you handle a busy bar?
How do you prevent over-serving customers?
What is your experience with cash handling?
What do you do to maintain a clean and organized work station?
Are you familiar with any mixology techniques or recipes?
How well do you work in a team environment?
Are you familiar with local alcohol laws and regulations?

Common Tools in Industry

Cocktail Shaker. Used to blend and mix spirits, juices, and other ingredients in order to create cocktails. (eg: Margarita)
Jigger. Used to measure exact amounts of alcohol or other ingredients. (eg: 1. 5 oz of vodka)
Bar Spoon. Used to stir drinks and scoop out garnishes, like olives and cherries. (eg: Martini)
Muddler. Used to mash fruits and herbs to extract their flavors for cocktails. (eg: Mojito)
Ice Scoop. Used to scoop ice out of an ice bin. (eg: For a whiskey on the rocks)
Strainer. Used to strain out ice, fruit, and other solids from a cocktail. (eg: Daiquiri)
Mixing Glass. Used to mix drinks with the bar spoon and is often used in place of a shaker. (eg: Manhattan)
Bottle Opener. Used to open beer bottles. (eg: Heineken)
Corkscrew. Used to open wine bottles. (eg: Merlot)
Zester. Used to zest citrus fruits for garnishes and flavors. (eg: Lemon twist for a Martini)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Professional Bartenders (NAPB)
United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG)
International Bartenders Association (IBA)
National Restaurant Association (NRA)
National Association for the Service and Hospitality Industry (NASHI)
Institute of Foodservice Management Professionals (IFMP)
International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA)
International Sommelier Guild (ISG)
American Distilling Institute (ADI)
The Guild of Professional English Butlers (GPB)

We also have Bar Host, Bartending Instructor, and Beverage Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Alcohol. A type of beverage that contains ethanol, a chemical compound which is consumed for its intoxicating effects.
Mixology. The art and science of creating and mixing cocktails.
Cocktail. An alcoholic beverage consisting of two or more ingredients, usually mixed together with ice.
Martini. A classic cocktail made with gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and garnished with olives or lemon twist.
Mojito. A Cuban cocktail made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and soda water.
Margarita. A Mexican cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and sometimes salt on the rim of the glass.
Highball. A type of long drink made with a base liquor and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer.
Shooter. A type of drink served in a small glass and typically made with a single spirit or several spirits mixed together.
Jigger. A double-ended measuring tool used for measuring ingredients for cocktails.
Bar Spoon. A long-handled spoon used for stirring drinks and layering ingredients in cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bartender Helper?

Bartender Helper is a mobile app that provides helpful tips and tricks for bartenders, including recipes, drink pairings, and other useful advice.

How much does Bartender Helper cost?

Bartender Helper is a free download and includes a free trial version with limited features.

What features does Bartender Helper provide?

Bartender Helper includes over 500 cocktail recipes, helpful advice on how to pour, mix and serve drinks, and drink pairings to help bartenders create unique and exciting cocktails.