Do you need to have bar experience to work in a pub?

Because i'd love to work in a pub but have no experience what so ever.

filthymcnasty

In a very busy pub/night club you would definitely need some experience to balance several orders at once etc but a quieter pub I wouldn't think so- you gotta start somewhere.

roashter

same as what filthy says, experience would be a help but not essential depending on the bar.

Mr. Loverman

My first time working in a bar was during a Christmas party (i.e. busy).

It was easy enough.

The only things I had problems with initially were:

- Hearing their orders (you have to learn to read lips and concentrate on what they are saying only)
- Remembering large orders (this becomes easy after time)
- Using the till (I had never used one before and the till I was using didn't say how much change they should get. The trick: count upwards, so their order is 5.73 and they give you 10.00, you get one euro and count up to 6.73, two euros and count up to 7.73, three euros and count up to 8.73, four euros and count up to 9.73, twenty cent and count up to 9.93, five cent and count up to 9.98, and then two cent.)
- Someone had to show me how to change the kegs
- The actual pint pouring, bottle opening, ice getting, lemon slicing and cleaning up are easy.

Lockstep

It depends really.

Bartending is mainly about attitude and approach. My first ever barjob I was hired as the manager liked me, saying skills can be taught but attitude can't. Similar enough story in other bars I've worked in where people were hired on their personality and attitude rather than their experience.

Worst comes to the worst, do what most people do when applying for bar jobs and claim you've collected glasses before.

Keep in mind that barwork is a lot less glamorous than it appears. I know a lot of people who gave it a go and then quit once they realise it's not as much fun being on the other side of the bar. It's also Ireland so all your customers claim to be former bartenders and will all give you advice/tell you you're doing a **** job etc etc.
You work antisocial hours and are busiest when people want to enjoy themselves meaning you're usually working through holidays and events. You're also kept very late (not too bad in a regular bar but hotel bars can be a pain: I've been kept working until 5am before)