A Bartender’s job is to help create a good experience for customers.
“Bartender is a skilled technician, an entertainer and clever manager of people” all bartenders and trainers have read this and taught this in our bartending trade. When I looked at this definition the first time, I was completely clueless what it is all about. Is really a bartender a technician?
As I progressed in my bartending life I found 10 Qualities of Bartender. (Based on Respected Shatbi Basu Seminar)
1. Logic
Bartender need to use logic every single day at his/her work place. Our workstation setup is build with a full of logics. Why bartender will need speed rail?
Bartenders need to use logic otherwise they will be lost and will never be able to work efficiently. Good bartender should always ask one question WHY?
2. Observation
Bartenders truest strength is His/Her power of observation. Working in bar is not an easy task my friend.
“Do you remember the first day Tom had in movie COCKTAIL 1988.”
We become bartenders by observing our seniors, customers, while doing our work.
Be Observant “Good bartenders need to sharpen their powers of observation and develop their ability to listen.”
3. Method and Techniques
Method of Making Classic cocktail can be learnt from books. Which is the basic to be qualified as bartender, who can mix? However a Good Bartender is the one who use the best technique to get WOW compliment from guest.
Technique is to modify or develop the recipe according to the ingredients available and situations for the Guests.
If you remember a Movie HARRY POTTER – In one of the part “all students were given the same book, however Harry gets a book with observations and some rectifications”.
That is it, a good bartender always work on technique in making his cocktail.
4. Perfection – Which is your best cocktail?
Every bartender think he makes the perfect cocktail, Is it really ture? No, my friend, if maximum customers will give feedback that you made the perfect cocktail, that’s mean you have made a perfect cocktail.
Good bartenders always make cocktail which are suitable for his/her guest.
5. Knowledge
Knowledge will earn respect to a Bartender. The product knowledge and right skills will give you recognition in your bar and eventually in Bartending trade. Good bartenders always keep on learning new things every day.
Respect is not given or taken. However, respect is achieved by showing your knowledge with humbleness.
6. Presence of mind
Good Bartenders give alternatives and they never say ‘NO’.
7. Team
Bartender should work as a squad. I have seen in bars we have two kinds of bartenders. One who are Fast and effective (Who sale) and another who are Slow and study. And together they become lethal combination. Good bartenders should work in team, there is no room for ego.
“Barjockey”
8. Communication – with guest – eye contact
Language is not a barrier for bartenders
9. Be competitive (don’t compete in bar)
Bartenders are sales person, they sell brands. Good bartenders never compete with each other in same bar, however they help each other to Increase the sale of outlets with their skills.
10. Genius – Recognize yourself
If bartender do all the above things, in two to three years they start understanding what are their Strengths and finds his/her success in the field of bartending and Become Genius Bartender.
Cheers!!!
Name: Omkar Watwe
Designation: Learning & Development
Manager PAN INDIA – BARJOCKEY