How do I get Bar Work?

MontgomeryClift

Since my university qualifications seem to be no good, I thought I might be able to get bar work. The problem is: I don't know any landlords/bar-owners and I've never done bar work before. It's a common kind of work, so I thought some people here might have done it and could offer advice as to what to do. I don't go to pubs, so working on weekends is no problem to me.

Shanley

Firstly I would recommend to stay away from bar work, so depressing and ive only been in it 2years

Go into any bar around where you live BUT i think the key is to ask for the manager and talk to him before handing in the Cv. Most Cv's arent even looked at.

Secondly you could do what I did and work your way up from floor staff. Everyone has to start somewhere. Usually they train you up after around 6months floor work.

The Bollox

that's what I did anyway, I started on the floor, they started training me in after about a year tho :mad: and the place was doing shít so no-one else wanted to work there, meaning I had to stay on the floor, however I am moving behind the bar now

Shinners21

Steer clear of barwork if you want to have a life!! :rolleyes:

akw_old

dont mind them!! i worked in a bar for five years through college. it was a great laugh. ok sometimes you get **** busy but you can mess around with customers, and get paid while you chat up women!

try hotel bars. they generally aren't to madly busy and hence don't require a huge amount of experience. i recommend the Burlington Hotel bar. not the function room, or the nightclub but the actual bar. easy job, well-ish paid and sound people work there.

also restaurant bars are a good place to start out, cos its mostly just one or two taps and coffee's. easy experience before moving to a proper pub.

akw_old

Shanley wrote:

Go into any bar around where you live

I think you're better off not working in a bar near where you live. who wants to be serving their mates on a fri night.

Shanley wrote:

BUT i think the key is to ask for the manager and talk to him before handing in the Cv. Most Cv's arent even looked at.

Definately see the manager personnally. wait around for him/her!!

BossArky

MontgomeryClift wrote:

Since my university qualifications seem to be no good, I thought I might be able to get bar work.

As a matter of interest, what is your lack of qualification in?

MontgomeryClift

Computers! I got taken in with the IT buzz a few years back and haven't looked forward since.

I certainly couldn't tolerate working on the floor ("Clean up that vomit, would you?", "I'd rather not."). That's for school-leavers, surely?

I wouldn't just let fly with a CV because I know it wouldn't work. Serving mates is not a problem because I (sob!) have none and I don't go to pubs at week-ends; I just tend to watch Johnathan Ross or Jools Holland on BBC, so I'm looking for a distraction of sorts from that.

How about ringing the premises and asking to be put in touch with or have the phone number of the manager? Am I likely to encounter life "as we know it" on the other end of that telephone line, or would I just get a bemused grunt, or a "snarl"?

mikemac

It can be hard to get a first bar job as you've no experience. A lot of bar managers will only apply people with experience.

I got turned downed by loads of places for this reason when I was looking for bar work in college. Blagged my first job by saying I worked in a London pub for a summer. Worked since in several hotels, never in a pub

kc66

Pulling a pint isnt that hard. Watch barmen for a while and take it all in. Mistake I see a lot of first-timers making when pulling a pint is they pull the tap back really slow and probably only half way. Just make out you have a couple of months experience and you should get away with it as long as its not a mad busy place. Obviously theres more than pulling a pint (presentation, remembering, etc) but everyone has different skill level and you should improve pretty quickly. Its not rocket science.

Baldie

Shinners21 wrote:

Steer clear of barwork if you want to have a life!! :rolleyes:

Dam right!!! I work part time in a bar. Im working all this weekend, the 22nd, 23rd, Christmas Eve, Stephen's Day, New Years Eve. New Years Day and the 2nd!! There goes my Christmas and New Year!! :mad:
I actually don't mind working New Years eve because it's always a crap night anyway. I'll have a better laugh in the pub....