Bar Work

flag123

Hi, I'm looking for work in a bar but needless to say I need experience.

Was just wondering would many bars take people on just for experience with no pay?

Has anyone, maybe workers heard of people doing this or have done it themselves?

and how'd they get on?

thanks!

Mr. Loverman

It is impossible to predict what each bar will say, but I would guess many of them would be a lot more willing to give you glass collecting/washing duties rather than work behind the bar.

Are you specifically looking for bar tender work?

Lockstep

It does happen: the last bar I worked in had a guy ask to do some work for free to get experience. He did this for a couple of weeks and they decided to take him on as staff.

You could always ask to start as floor staff (collecting glasses, stocking shelves etc) You'll usually be given some bar training and will work as a bartender whenever they need you.

oB1

flag123 wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking for work in a bar but needless to say I need experience.

Was just wondering would many bars take people on just for experience with no pay?

Has anyone, maybe workers heard of people doing this or have done it themselves?

and how'd they get on?

thanks!

I worked as a bartender for 4 years, while attending school/college.

I started out as Floor Staff, busboy, waiter - for the first year, but while doing that i pushed my manager for bar training etc. whenever he got a chance he showed me the tricks of the trade, like pulling pints, making cocktails, using the till etc. after the year there, i was promoted to Bar Staff.

4 years later, i was promoted to Senior Bar Staff.

It was a Hotel i worked in, so when i started as Floor Staff, i was doing pretty much everything, except pulling pints.

If you where to start in a Hotel/Bar i would pretty much guarantee you, that you'd be Floor Staff, Most Bar Staff, would not want an in-experienced Barman getting in there way ( No Offense ) BUT as i said, start from the bottom, and work your way up.

Hope it helps.

mikemac1

A man who works for free will never be idle

OP, apply for glass collection jobs and after a few weeks you may get a go behind the bar.
Nobody is expecting you to serve them three deep at the counter straight away, you'll work your way up over time

Ring around, I wouldn't wait for advertised jobs
Nightclubs might be a good start, call up in the evenings and ask for the manager.
Staff come and go so if they're short they'll give you an immediate start

flag123

Right so, the general consensus is that working behind the bar will come later on! To be honest, I'd prefer it this way as I'd not like to be thrown in the deep end!

I've sent a couple of e-mails around to bars, no word back yet however but I'll give it time

tradhead

If I were you I´d go in personally rather than sending e-mails, as it´s a lot easier to say no to an e-mail! If you do decide to go in, try and come across as confident and friendly as you can- the kind of person that you´d want to serve you in a bar.

Best of luck!