Bartender Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

Bartender job description, duties, tasks, and responsibilities — Bartenders serve mostly alcoholic beverages behind the bar. Image source: Rantchic.com

This post provides detailed information on the job description of a bartender, to help you learn what they do.

What Does a Bartender Do?

A bartender, who is also known as a barman, barmaid, or barkeep, is a person who serves usually alcoholic beverages behind the bar in a licensed establishment.

The job description of a bartender usually entails mixing and serving of drinks at restaurants, bars, taverns, hotels, banquet halls and other hospitality establishments.

Bartenders usually maintain the inventory and supplies for the bar.

Bartending as a profession was generally a transitional work or second occupation for students to gain customer experience or to save money for university expenses.

However, this is changing in most parts of the world and bartending has become a profession by choice for many people rather than a necessity.

In America for example, where tipping is a local custom, barmaids depend on tips for most of their income.
Bartenders are usually responsible for ensuring that customers meet the legal drinking age before serving them alcoholic drinks.

However, in a few countries, including Sweden and Australia, barmen are legally required to refuse more alcohol customers whom are drunk.

To work as a bartender, you must be outgoing, friendly and possess good communication skills.

A guest’s dinner and bar experience should also be enjoyable and you play a major role in achieving this goal.

Remember also, that consistency is a key element in a positive experience. You would be able to achieve this by following recipes always.

In the same vein, you should be able to think and act quickly, as well as organized while retaining self-composure.
Be guest sensitive and always keep to time.

Take pride in personal appearance and must be dedicated to your job.

The bartender also needs to display a high sense of integrity and honesty in all aspects of his/her job.

Bartender Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The role of a bartender entails carrying out various functions. Here is a list of activities, which can serve as an example of a typical bartender job description.

It contains important duties, tasks, and responsibilities individuals who are employed to tend to bars are required to carry out.

Pass “Responsible Service of Alcohol” test, with a score of 85% or better
Welcome guests personally within 30 – 45 seconds of their arrival
Communicate with guests with enthusiasm and make them feel appreciated through displayed actions
Work in collaboration with other bar staff to keep the bar area cleaned; and stick to company’s standards at all times
Responsible for mixing and serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for patrons of bar and dining room following standard recipes and procedures
Receive cash payment from guests and give them change when appropriate
Arrange glasses and bottles to maintain an attractive display in agreement with bar standards
Sterilize and wash stemware when necessary
Reach out to guests and offer assistance to them before they request for it
Count drinks served to guests
Place current bar tabs in front of guests all the time
Anticipate guest’s needs and follow the “Half-full” rule when offering another drink
Be at full alert to guest signals, such as when they are raising their hands or looking directly at you, for orders
Endeavor to know regular guests by names, occupations, and favorite drinks
Stop serving drunk guests and call for taxi when necessary.

Bartender Job Description for Resume

A resume will be requested by employers if you are seeking a new bartending job.

In writing a resume for the position of bartender, the sample job description shown above can provide useful information to write the professional experience section of the resume.

Here is an example of a bartender resume that you can use as a guide in preparing your own.