Breaking Into Bartending: Your Path to Landing That First Job Without Any Experience

The bartending industry might seem impenetrable when you’re starting from scratch, but thousands of people successfully transition into this lucrative career every year without any prior experience. Most bartenders agree with me, one of the hardest parts about becoming a professional bartender is breaking into the industry and landing your first bartending job. However, with the right strategy and mindset, you can overcome this challenge and start your bartending career.

Start at the Bottom: The Barback Strategy

The most common advice from actual bartenders is that you should start as a barback if you want to learn how to be a bartender. The barback position requires no experience, only a willingness to work hard. This entry-level position involves cleaning, restocking, and a lot of heavy lifting, but it places you in the perfect position to learn the trade.

They essentially act as the bartender’s assistant, which puts them in a great position to learn and observe. For someone who has never worked in the bar or foodservice industries, the role provides an understanding of how everyday operations work. By paying attention to the bar’s activities and atmosphere, you gain knowledge to help your bartending journey.

Alternative Entry Points

If barbacking isn’t available, consider other entry points into the hospitality industry. In addition to working as a barback, you can start as a hostess or server in a restaurant with a bar and work your way up. Restaurants that sell alcohol have frequent openings for bartenders, and they often promote from within.

Another benefit of getting your feet wet at a restaurant bar is that restaurant chains usually have stringent training programs that teach you to mix drinks to their standard. Bars in restaurant chains are often smaller than and not as busy as the bars in lounges, nightclubs, or taprooms. They provide a gentler environment in which you can practice your skills and get experience under your belt.

Essential Skills and Certifications

While experience matters, having the right certifications can set you apart from other candidates. While a bartending license is not a requirement in all states, having one provides the leverage you need to get hired in a competitive field. Online bartending certification is easy to find with a quick internet search, but make sure the course is state-approved.

In New York, obtaining your ATAP Certification in Queens, NY is crucial for serious bartending candidates. New York ATAP is an acronym for Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP). If you need your New York bartending license, take our New York ATAP certification, and you’ll be certified today within 3 hours. This certification demonstrates your commitment to responsible alcohol service and is often preferred by employers.

Beyond certifications, focus on developing fundamental bartending knowledge. Practice making popular cocktails like the margarita, mojito, and Moscow Mule. Experiment with different ingredients and techniques to find your own style. Develop your bartending skills, including pouring, mixing, and straining drinks with precision.

Professional Training and Education

While not always mandatory, professional bartending education can provide a significant advantage. While attending bartending school and utilizing other educational resources can be helpful, gaining firsthand experience in the service industry is the most effective way to gain proximity to the bar and develop a solid foundation of knowledge.

1-800 Bartending School, New York’s LARGEST Bartending School and Training corporation, offers comprehensive training programs designed to prepare students for real-world bartending situations. Thousands of Bartending students from all backgrounds and all ages have learned the art of the pour inside our New York 1-800-Bartending School classrooms, which are set up as cocktail lounges right down to the shot glasses and fully equip working Bars.

The school provides 100% FREE job placement program’s and offers Bartending Classes, Bartender Courses, Bartender Training Workshops, and Bartending specialty classes such as: Beer Seminars, Wine Seminars, Flair Courses and Alcohol Awareness Classes, in classrooms that are setup exactly like real Bars & Nightclubs.

Job Hunting Strategies That Work

At the end of the day, landing a bartending job is a numbers game. It’s about shaking hands, putting yourself out there, and applying for as many jobs as you can. That’s why the resume dropping strategy works so well. Here are proven strategies:

• Direct Application Method: Drop off your resume personally at your local bar or restaurant during quieter times when managers aren’t busy dealing with customers.
• Network Through Connections: Ask for a referral: Let family and friends know you’re looking and ask if they can open a door for you.
• Online Job Boards: Use job sites: Indeed, Craigslist, and other large job boards are a good place to start. Specialized job sites like GoodFoodJobs.com are another resource to try.

Preparing for the Interview Process

It’s common to be asked to work a trial shift on your way to getting the job. This is your chance to show them that you bring solid skills to the job – and that you’re coachable and willing to learn how they do things.

Common interview questions include asking about your motivation for bartending and why you want to work at their specific establishment. Express your passion for the industry, your love for creating cocktails, and your enjoyment of interacting with people. Showcase your relevant skills, such as multitasking, problem-solving, and customer service. Highlight any previous experience, even if it’s not directly related to bartending.

The Reality Check

Becoming a bartender is challenging for someone without experience, but not impossible. When you first start, maintain an attitude of humility and a willingness to learn. Beginning as a barback and learning from a mentor are two things you can do that require no experience. With perseverance and diligence, your path to becoming a bartender is wide open.

Remember, your personality, work ethic, and positive attitude are often more important than prior experience. If you’re serious about becoming a professional bartender, give the job some respect and realize that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to jump behind the bar and be an instant superstar. Instead, take what you can get, learn as much as you can and progress into a bartending position later on.

Breaking into bartending without experience requires patience, dedication, and strategic planning. By starting in entry-level positions, obtaining proper certifications, and utilizing proven job-hunting strategies, you can successfully launch your bartending career. Remember that every professional bartender started somewhere, and with the right approach, your first bartending job is within reach.