What are 5 bartending skills unrelated to mixology that a bartender should have?

Bartending skills. If someone asked what the most important skill is for any bartender. The first thing that comes to mind is that they should be amazing mixologists. While this may be true in terms of the core of the job. However, there are also other skills that can be very useful.

Before talking about all those skills that every bartender should know that are not related to mixology. It is important to emphasize that the bartender has to be a mixologist. First of all because a few years ago, the bartender has become known as a mixologist as well.

This evolution from the traditional bartender to a mixologist is complex. It is thus defined why the bartender stopped being a figure behind the bar that serves drinks and cocktails that already exist. Now it is that of a bartender capable of creating new drinks hat can become a favorite. The mixologist always use a variety of ingredients to create new drinks. This is part of the art and ability of being a mixologist.

The skill of mixology is undoubtedly essential for every bartender. Since to a large extent, the bartender’s job depends on this. If he is not capable of creating and mixing flavors and ingredients, perhaps without a doubt this job is not for him. A viable option if a bartender wants to learn more about this is to take a mixology course.There are schools and centers that specialize in this and can help by teaching the basics of this skill.

What are these bartending skills?

Today, we are looking at 5 amazing skills that are unrelated to mixology. With that said, every bartender that wants to be successful should have them.

1. An outgoing personality

This is a huge deal when a bartender is looking to be a professional that is hired by everyone. An outgoing personality is going to go a long way with the people who are asking for drinks.

It also will make a great impression in people who may become the next person to hire their services. This is one of the most important things for anyone in the business needs to have.

The bartender does not necessarily have to be an outgoing person. With only the fact that they  knows how to communicate appropriately with customers. They are always positive, smiling and respectful and friendly. They already have gained the respect and appreciation from their customers.

2. Some flair tricks

This is not to say that every bartender should know all of the difficult flair bartending tricks in existence. Knowing some of the basics should always be something they should consider doing.

Flair bartending can prove to be an excellent skill for many events that are meant to be more casual and fun. There are many different tricks and some of the simplest are easily learned with a few days of practice.

Learning these Skills to be a flair bartender is always a plus when looking for jobs. Especially in events and private parties where customers will always want the bartenders they hire to not only serve their guests by preparing the best cocktails and drinks. Also that they can entertain them by doing some kind of juggling with bottles or something similar.

3. A great memory

When you are bartending at a bar with loud music and dozens of people screaming. Any bartenders better make sure that they are able to remember at least 3 to 5 orders at once.

Any bartenders that wants to be efficient during a crowded night. They are going to need to be able to remember as many orders as possible.

But not only do we mean remembering more than 3 or 5 drink orders with precision. You must also remember the ingredients of each of the cocktails or drinks. The drinks that you have to serve each night as well as the steps you must follow to complete them satisfactorily.

On the other hand, people tend to crowded at the bar and chaos begins. Also, many times it is impossible to take customers’ money to the cash register every time they pay for a drink. Therefore, the bartender will also have to memorize how much money each customer gave. Then take it to the cash register as soon as possible.

4. Stamina

There are many people who are very good at bartending. With that said, they don’t have the energy to handle an entire night of rushing drinks. A bartender will often need to be able to handle this kind of hectic pace for several days.

Stamina is key for anyone who wants to be able to do this kind of work for a living. The busier the event, the more tips a bartender is going to be able to collect every night and that is essential for success.

Of course, as a bartender you can dedicate yourself to small events or work in a small local bar. However, if you want to be a bartender for the tips and for the money that you can earn. You will have to endure entire weeks of work, with schedules grueling, crowded bars, and action late into the night.

You have to have not only the attitude and patience to work in these events and activities. Places where hundreds of people show up, but you also have to feel true passion for what you do. Last, but not least, be 100% sure that this it is what you want to do full time.

5. Technology friendly for bartending skills

A bartender that is able to make use of the internet fast and find anything that a client may request. Things that they don’t know by memory is essential. There are many situations when this is going to come in handy. That is why having internet skills is going to be so important.

Also when we refer to the technology part, nowadays there are many ways for bartenders to make themselves known. That is by making videos related to their profession and their skills. For example if you know how to juggle some bottles or you have a special skill, you can upload a video on YouTube doing it. So new bartenders can watch them or why not, that someone who wants to make an event and is looking for a bartender to hire, put their eyes on you.

In addition to these 5 skills, which others must be taken into account?

– Having good touch with customers is extremely important. Especially because on many occasions, the bartender will have to listen to a customer for hours talking about their life. Or a particular story and the bartender will need to be careful about what he is going to respond. Also they have to know how to give advices properly.

Other issues

In addition, on more than one occasion, there will be fights in the bar between some customers. Sometimes you will have to get involved, which you also have to know how to manage it properly.

– Knowing the menu is also another skill that the bartender must have. We are not referring only to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Also all the snacks that are offered in the menu that sometimes accompanies the drinks. As customers tend to ask the bartender for suggestions on which food or snack is the best. Or which is the perfect dish to accompany the cocktail or drink they are having, that is why the bartender must know the menu very well.

– Being empathetic and communicative are two other elements that every bartender must have; The part of empathy is trying to put yourself in the shoes of your customers, especially when they come to tell you about a problem or situation that they may be facing and what they need is to be heard, empathy is important in any profession where there is a close relationship with the customers.

Communication also plays a fundamental role when the bartender interacts with the customer, you have to be direct, speak with accurate words and know what to say and what not to say so that all interaction with your customers develops in the best possible way.

Undoubtedly there are other skills or characteristics that every bartender must possess such as managing emotional control, knowing how to control stress, being agile and fast, and many others that are also important, but those above are the most essential.

Questions and Answers

Final thoughts

Bartending is a profession that requires several skills to be combined in order to achieve maximum efficiency. The bartending skills that we have mentioned above are some of the most useful for the modern bartender.