A female bartender next to vintage barrel bar set up | What are the bartenders 4 main responsibilities for job description.
A beautiful bartender and Vintage Barrel bar set up

The meaning of bartender is not all mixing drinks and looking stylish while you do it. There are many other things that people need to keep in mind when they are looking towards bartending services. We are going to talk about the responsibilities of a bartender while they are on the job.

There are many responsibilities, and some of them how to handle the supplies, the money, drunk people,ย knowledge of most popular cocktails, ย andย many more.

But before that, it is important to understand that although is possible becoming a professional bartender. All without requiring any type of formal study. Most of the things that you learn you will acquire through practice. The same happens with responsibilities. As you will have to learn them as you have experience with the work behind the bar.

Keep in mind that the particular responsibilities of a bartender may change depending on the type of event. It can also change due to the terms of the business or person that is hiring the bartender.

That is why it is important that before you start working in a bar, restaurant or event. That the person who hires you explains what your main responsibilities are during your work shift. How often you have to fulfill them, which are a priority, and even to know what your responsibilities arenโ€™t.

  1. They have to handle the supplies

Everything from the alcohol, and all related drink ingredients. To the napkins and the glasses. The bartender often finds himself being in charge of everything related to his work. This is often anything, and everything related to the cocktails bar.

Sometimes the supplies are huge so this process is not safe for someone to do it alone. When this happens, the best thing to do is to ensure that the bartenders to hire can have all the help he or she needs. So, they can do their main job which is to make drinks.

This is one of the biggest responsibilities that every bartender has. Since keeping the supplies in order is vital not only for the proper functioning of the bar. Also, to keep the customers happy and motivated especially because they know that in your bar. They will always be able to find all the cocktails and drinks they want to drink.

  1. They need to handle the money

When a bartender is hired to work on a public event. They are likely asked to handle the money that each customer will give them for the drinks. This is a task for two people at least. One collects the money, and another makes the drinks. However, sometimes a bartender for hire may actually do this as well.

It is extremely important that most bartenders also have basic knowledge in mathematics. Also have a good memory since, as mentioned above, many times the bartender will receive 5 orders at the same time. Therefore, will receive 5 different payments, but at the same time by being the bar heavily crowded. You will have to first serve the drinks and cocktails and then go to the cashier to leave the money. Then give the corresponding change to the customers so you will have to memorize who paid. Also with how much money they did it.

  1. They have to handle drunk people

A bartender may have to handle any people who are being overly rude and difficult. Not to say that they should physically deal with them. In fact, they should be ready to inform event security that someone needs to leave the venue immediately (Kicked out).

A good bartender for hire is also good in the process of helping people cool down. This is important if they seem upset during an argument with someone else. They can simply talk to people over the bar and lighten up the tension between any of the guests.

Having this ability to stop or control someone who is too drunk and who is causing some kind of trouble. This is extremely necessary in every bartender. ย Thatโ€™s why is important to manage the emotions. Also to know how to communicate appropriately with the customer and also be sometimes a little persuasive.

  1. They have toย know all the cocktails bar drinks that can be made with their supplies

Some people will buy all required supplies to make the entire 77 cocktail catalog. This means that a good bartender will consider this in order to get the best possible results.

Hiring someone who offers the pop up bar experience is great. You want to make sure that they can create all the drinks your guests may order.

Just as it is important to keep the stock of ingredients, products and items necessary for having the bar full. It is also necessary that every bartender not only knows each of the cocktails and drinks offered on the menu. In addition, that knows how to prepare and make them. When a customer comes to a bar and asks for a cocktail, he will always hope that the bartender knows how to do it. Also that if that cocktail or liquor is offered on the menu, the availability needs to be constant for the best results.

In addition to these four responsibilities that every bartender has. Which are the main ones, there are others that are also important to take into account:

Supervision of everything that concerns the bartender responsibility

Previously we mentioned that one of the main responsibilities of a bartender is to keep the bar supplies full. Also know how to prepare cocktails and drinks. However, in this case, they will also have to supervise and control everything that happens inside the bar. Such as: Take drink orders, serve customers as quickly as possible (ensuring that alcoholic beverages are not served to minors for example), offer them snacks and maintain a warm and friendly treatment with everyone.

Comply with the security policies that the company or owner of the bar establishes

Bartender responsibilities go beyond serving drinks and entertaining customers. Also in most cases, they will have to pay attention to details a little more related to bar policies. Inform management or to the owner of the bar about any problems that have arisen (accidents, unsafe working conditions, etc.). Check that the sanitary policies that apply to food and beverages comply. Also carry out training and safety certifications that are necessary for the business.

Clear and assertive customer communication is very important

The customer comes first, that is a golden rule that everyone knows, and the bartender is no exception. That is why an important responsibility of the bartender has to do with proper communication with the customer. Which happens from the moment the customer enters the bar to the moment when the bartender is serving them. To anticipating your needs and ensuring that all the information the customer is getting regarding the menu, prices, among others, is correct.

Questions and Answers

Bartender responsibilities are always the same?

Although it is true, there are some general responsibilities that every bartender will have to fulfill no matter where he is working. There are others of a very specific nature stipulated by the owner and this is very important to define. Or on the other hand, they are specific to the type of business (if it is a bar or a restaurant or a lounge) or if, on the contrary, it is a private event (whether it is small or large, number of guests, etc).

What is the best way to keep the supply stock full?

Every bartender wants their customers to receive the best attention. Also to order any cocktail or drink and that it is available, that is why it is necessary to keep track of everything that is in stock and the best way to do it is by making weekly reviews so you will be sure what is needed and order it immediately.

Does every bartender need to know the basics of finance and math?

Yes, although in reality it may not be necessary for you to take a basic math or finance course. It is important that you know the basics when it comes to numbers since you will have to handle money from customer payments and even sometimes from the suppliers.

How does a bartender know what his main responsibilities are?

It is important that the owner of the bar or restaurant or the one who hires the bartender for an event, explains what their responsibilities are, however, if this is not the case, the bartender must ask what their duties are before starting their shift and the responsibilities as well as the rules and procedures of the bar or restaurant.

Final thoughts

Bartending services come with several responsibilities that can change depending on the event, and the agreement you have with your employer. The most important thing is to always consider hiring bartending services from someone who is qualified to perform all of those tasks. Even if you donโ€™t need them to handle so many things. The main consdieration is that bartending requires responsible people.