How To Become A Bartender
Have you thought about becoming a pub landlord? We take a look at the opportunities on offer behind the bar.
If you’re a sociable person with strong people skills, then a career as a pub landlord could be a good move. Whether you’re looking for a short-term contract with a pub chain or a fully-fledged career running your own free hold, work behind a bar has much more to offer than you might expect.
What Is A Landlord?
A landlord is responsible for the full management of a pub. Often they will also be the bartender, and the friendly face of the pub. A landlord also needs to ensure that a pub is operating within the law, carry out tax accounting and arrange all purchases, and ensure that the business is covered by pub insurance.
By contrast, a bartender is anyone who works behind a bar serving drinks, a role that was traditionally called a bar maid, because it was usually filled by a local woman who required some extra work in the evening. As well as serving customers, they can also responsible for handling cash, stock-taking and ensuring that the bar is clean and tidy.
So, once you are an experienced bartender you might consider making the move to running your own pub. If you’re ambitious, this could even lead to opening your own establishment – the most successful business people who have done this run multiple bars and pubs.
How Much Can I Expect To Earn?
Typically a bartender earns between £11,000 and £17,000. Bar Managers earn closer to £20,000. Landlords will earn a figure based on profits, so the sky is the limit! However, even for barmen, if you are skilled and ambitious, your earning potential could be far higher – particularly if you venture into senior management.
There are excellent employment opportunities for bartenders, with jobs on offer at a wide range of businesses across the country. It’s also an excellent choice for those looking for part-time employment, as it’s relatively easy to find evening and weekend jobs behind a bar.
Training
It’s relatively easy to get your first start in a bar. Many pubs hire staff to collect and wash glasses, for instance. These sorts of roles allow you to gain experience in the bar environment, and if you’re willing and eager this can lead to more advanced bar work. It’s a physical job and you are on your feet for a long time, so be prepared to put in the hard work.
Bartenders are required to have a lot of knowledge – skills mixing cocktails, for example. Repeated mistakes can be expensive for the bar, so you will require some training before you begin to serve customers.
Many pub chains offer training courses for managers, so head over to their websites to learn more:
These are just a few of the companies operating in the UK. Most areas will have a main pub chain, so contact them direct to learn about training programmes.
If you wish to go it alone, then you will need to start here: Publican-licensee. If you’re serious about a career in the bar industry, there are a number of formal qualifications you can complete:
- Level 2 Award in Professional Bartending (Cocktails) or (Cocktails with Free Pouring)
- Level 2 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service
- Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Food and Beverage Service
- Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision
If you’re thinking about running your own pub, then you will be required to complete the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. The Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET) also offers a range of courses in wines and spirits.
Mixologists
If you have a flair for cocktail-making, then you could also consider mixology. Mixologists are expert cocktail-makers, who often mix their drinks in the style of showmen – think flipped bottles and flaming drinks! The most skilled mixologists demonstrate their skills at international competitions and are signed up to work as ambassadors and advisors to luxury brands – the earning potential here is endless!
Of course, for most people, it is the pleasure of serving the local community that appeals the most. Regardless of why you become a barman, ensure that you have some training to show your commitment to role.