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

Oct 15, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Hosting a successful event requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important elements is having a quality bartender and hostess. The presence of an experienced bartender and hostess can make a significant difference in setting the tone of the event. With a knowledgeable bartender, guests can be offered drinks with skill and confidence, leading to a more enjoyable experience.

A good hostess can also ensure that guests are welcomed and tended to in a professional manner, making them feel comfortable and at ease. As a result, guests can have greater satisfaction with their experience, leading to more positive reviews and greater chances of repeat visits.

Steps How to Become

Obtain an education. Many states require bartenders to have some sort of education or certification in order to be able to legally serve alcohol in a bar. You can obtain this through a bartending school or online course, or you can get an associates degree in hospitality, food service, or a related field.
Gain experience. Most employers prefer bartenders who have prior experience in the field. If you can, start working at a bar, restaurant, or other hospitality establishment as soon as possible. You can also gain valuable experience by volunteering at events that require bartending services.
Secure a job. Once you have your education and some experience, start applying for jobs as a bartender. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge and skills during interviews and try to show potential employers how you can make their bar or restaurant more successful.
Learn how to be a hostess. Being a good hostess is an important part of the job for many bartenders. Learn how to greet guests and make them feel welcome, manage reservations, and handle customer complaints.
Get certified. Many states require bartenders to be certified in order to serve alcohol legally. You can usually obtain this certification by taking an online course or attending a bartending school.
Stay up-to-date on food and drink trends. Bartending is a competitive industry, so its important to stay on top of the latest trends in food and drink. Read industry publications, attend workshops and conferences, and talk to other bartenders to stay up-to-date on the latest recipes and techniques.
Stay organized. Bartending can be a busy job, so its important to stay organized and prioritize tasks in order to keep up with the demands of the job.
Develop customer service skills. As a bartender, you are the face of the establishment, so its important to develop strong customer service skills. Learn how to handle difficult customers and deal with complaints in a professional manner.

The performance of a bartender or hostess is largely dependent upon the reliability and competency of the individual. If a bartender or hostess is reliable and competent, they are more likely to be successful in providing customers with an enjoyable experience. This in turn leads to increased customer satisfaction, which can lead to an increase in repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals.

As a result, the establishment they work in could benefit from an increase in business and revenue. On the other hand, an unreliable or incompetent bartender or hostess can have a negative effect on the customers experience, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of repeat customers. The establishment could suffer as a result of a decrease in business and revenue.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that the bartender or hostess is reliable and competent in order to ensure customer satisfaction and the success of the establishment.

You may want to check Head Bartender, Lead Bartender, and Flair Bartender for alternative.

Job Description

Barback: Responsible for stocking and restocking bar supplies, cleaning glassware, assisting bartenders with preparing drinks, and providing customer service.
Bartender: Responsible for mixing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, maintaining cleanliness of the bar area, and providing excellent customer service.
Barista: Responsible for preparing and serving coffee drinks, operating coffee equipment, restocking supplies, and providing customer service.
Host/Hostess: Responsible for greeting guests, seating them at tables, taking orders, answering questions about the menu, and ensuring customers have a pleasant dining experience.
Waiter/Waitress: Responsible for taking orders, delivering food and drinks to tables, handling payments, resetting tables, and providing customer service.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of beverage preparation and service
Ability to provide friendly, courteous and efficient customer service
Excellent communication skills
Ability to multitask and work in a busy environment
Knowledge of cash handling and point-of-sale systems
Ability to work flexible hours and shifts
Knowledge of applicable health, safety and sanitation regulations
Ability to lift and carry heavy items
Ability to follow and understand written and verbal instructions
Problem-solving skills

Having good customer service skills is essential for a successful career as a bartender or hostess. A successful bartender or hostess must be able to interact with customers in a friendly manner, demonstrate excellent communication and listening skills, and be able to think on their feet. They must also be organized and detail-oriented to ensure that orders are taken correctly and served promptly.

Furthermore, they must be knowledgeable about the menu and able to provide helpful advice about food and drinks. having knowledge of popular local events and activities can help them build relationships with customers and create a more enjoyable experience for them. When customers feel comfortable and welcomed, they are more likely to return, which is beneficial for any business.

Therefore, having strong customer service skills is essential for a successful career as a bartender or hostess.

Beverage Manager, Bartending Instructor, and Cocktail Server are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the hospitality industry?
Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
How do you handle stressful situations?
What would you do if someone asked for a drink you were not familiar with?
How do you ensure that all of your tables are satisfied with their service?
Describe a time when you had to multitask and serve multiple tables simultaneously.
What measures do you take to ensure a clean and safe work environment?
How do you stay organized during busy times?
What do you think makes you an effective bartender or hostess?
What is your experience in working with a POS system?

Common Tools in Industry

Cash Register. A machine used to process customer payments. (Eg: Square Cash Register)
Point-of-Sale (POS) System. An electronic system used to record sales and track customer orders. (Eg: TouchBistro POS System)
Drink Mixer. A device used to blend cocktails and other beverages. (Eg: Margaritaville Drink Mixer)
Bar Spoon. A long-handled spoon used for stirring and measuring drinks. (Eg: OXO Cocktail Shaker Spoon)
Bottle Opener. A tool used to open bottles of beer or wine. (Eg: OXO Steel Bottle Opener)
Corkscrew. A tool used to open wine bottles with corks. (Eg: OXO Steel Corkscrew)
Bar Mat. A mat used to line the working area of a bar and absorb spilled liquids. (Eg: Rubbermaid Commercial Bar Mat)
Ice Scoop. A scoop used to fill glasses with ice cubes. (Eg: Norpro Stainless Steel Ice Scoop)
Blender. A device used to blend ingredients for drinks or soups. (Eg: Vitamix Professional Series Blender)
Glassware. Drinking glasses of various shapes and sizes used to serve drinks. (Eg: Libbey Craft Brews Pint Glasses)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Restaurant Association
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
The United States Bartenders' Guild
American Hotel and Lodging Association
National Association of Catering and Events
National Association of Professional Bartenders
American Culinary Federation
International Sommelier Guild
National Association of Professional Waiters
National Association of Professional Hosts

We also have Bar Tender Trainer, Beverage Server/Bartender, and Bar Supervisor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Barback. A barback is a person who assists the bartender by restocking liquor, beer, and other items, cleaning bar areas, and helping to prepare drinks.
Mixologist. A mixologist is someone who is skilled in creating and combining flavors to create unique cocktails.
POS system. A POS system (point of sale system) is a computerized network that records sales information and manages inventory for a bar or restaurant.
Liquor License. A liquor license is a permit issued by a state or local government that allows a business to sell alcoholic beverages.
Bottle Service. Bottle service is the practice of ordering an entire bottle of alcohol from a bar or restaurant, rather than just individual drinks.
Bartending tools. Bartending tools are tools used to mix and serve drinks at a bar. These include strainers, shakers, jiggers, muddlers, and other items.
Cocktail recipes. Cocktail recipes are specific instructions on how to create a particular type of drink. Recipes usually include measurements and directions for adding ingredients such as spirits, juices, syrups, and bitters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed to be a Bartender Hostess?

A Bartender Hostess typically needs to be of legal drinking age, possess excellent customer service and communication skills, and have a basic understanding of food and beverage preparation.

How much does a Bartender Hostess usually earn?

The average hourly wage for a Bartender Hostess is around $11.00, but can range from $8.00 to $15.00 per hour depending on experience and location.

What duties does a Bartender Hostess have?

A Bartender Hostess is responsible for greeting and seating guests, taking orders, preparing drinks and food items, handling cash and credit card transactions, and providing excellent customer service.