Bartending 101: 5 Tips to Help You Become a Better Bartender

Being a good bartender is no easy task. Here are a few simple tips that are sure to help you become a better bartender fast.

In the United States, you can find over 60,000 bars and nightclubs. This makes bartending a good career for finding steady work.

Plus, this job offers excitement, making it feel a lot like play, even while you make good money. But, this requires you to hone certain skills that make you a great bartender.

Read on to learn five tips for how to get better at bartending so you can up your skills behind the bar, either at home or at work!

1. Know Your Cocktails

When somebody orders a drink, they expect their bartender to know how to make it. Sure, you can Google any cocktail, but this makes the customer lose faith in you already.

Familiarize yourself with popular craft cocktails. Take it a step further than knowing specific drinks. Read up on the different types of liquor, and know the flavor well enough to mix it with something delicious when somebody does not know exactly what they want.

Practice making cocktails at home, so you learn the proper proportions. Play with different mixers, and create unusual cocktails special to you that patrons will love and remember you by.

This will help you understand what your customer wants. People will notice and trust your drink-making skills.

2. Stay Friendly

Keep a smile on your face. People come into a bar to cheer up from a difficult day or to find fun.

Both of those reasons require a smiling face from the person serving your drinks. But you need more than a smile for people to perceive you well.

Make it a point to notice everybody and greet them. When possible, remember people's names so that they feel important.

You should never allow yourself to get too busy to acknowledge each guest. And even if you feel overwhelmed, that does not excuse you from keeping up a friendly attitude.

3. Organize Everything

Making cocktails during a busy shift can feel like a whirlwind. But, do not make the mistake of getting unorganized.

Put your bottles back in the correct spots after making drinks. Taking three seconds to do so will save you minutes of trying to relocate them.

4. Clean

Do not leave your bar messy even if you get busy. People will look down on the establishment and it will reflect poorly on you.

Constantly wipe down all of your surfaces and clean glasses as people finish. Also, wipe down your taps and bottle tops so things do not get unsanitary.

5. Upsell

When people ask for a drink, always try to upsell. Prioritize making the establishment money, because they will notice what sells most daring your shifts.

For instance, if a patron asks for rum and coke, suggest Pusser's Gunpowder Proof. People do not always know what they want, so guide them towards better choices.

Make Your Bartending Career Lucrative

Anybody can pour and serve drinks. But, if you want to earn more money and capture the hearts of your customers, put effort into all aspects of bartending. It will turn into a very lucrative endeavor.

Want to go the extra mile and impress rum connoisseurs? Learn the History of Pusser's Rum and recommend your favorite blends! Your customers are sure to love the extra knowledge and recommendations.