A byte walks into a bar looking miserable. The bartender asks him: "What's wrong buddy?" "Parity error." he replies. "Ah that makes sense, I thought you looked a bit off."
What is a Bartender?
A bartender has many other names such as barkeeper, barman, barmaid, mixologist, alcohol server or bar chef--to name a few. Essentially, a bartender is any person who prepares or serves alcoholic (and some non-alcoholic beverages) from behind a bar. A bartender is a person who formulates and serves alcoholic or soft drink beverages behind the bar, usually in a licensed establishment as well as in restaurants and nightclubs, but also occasionally at private parties. Bartenders also usually maintain the supplies and inventory for the bar. As well as serving beer and wine, a bartender can generally also mix classic cocktails such as a Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Mojito.
What does a Bartender do?
A bartender is someone who mixes and serves drinks to customers, either directly to customers at the bar, or through waiters and waitresses who place drink orders for dining room customers.
Bartenders have to know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to mix drinks accurately, quickly, and without waste. You'll find them working in restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and other food service establishments.
A bartender’s day will vary somewhat depending on the establishment that he or she works in. However, there is the expectation that a shift may begin by taking inventory of the stock on hand, restocking the bar with the “extras” needed to serve beverages such as lemons, ice, and other items.
In a busy establishment a “barback” or bartender’s assistant may help with this task and will also usually keep clean barware coming to the bar during the shift. Then, the bartender will spend his or her shift preparing drinks, keeping the bar wiped down and chatting with the patrons.
In most locations a bartender is expected to be a social person who is willing to converse with customers. In some restaurants or taverns, the bartender may also be tasked with preparing drinks for those sitting at tables. A server will usually pick up those drinks and deliver them. The end of the night may mean cleaning the bar and taking inventory again.
A bartender will typically do the following:
Greet customers, inform them about daily specials, and give them menus
Take drink orders
Pour wine and serve draft or bottled beer and other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks
Mix drinks according to recipes
Check identification of customers to ensure they are of legal drinking age
Clean bars, tables, and work areas
Operate cash registers, collect payments from customers, and return change
Manage bar operation and order and maintain liquor and bar supplies
Qualities of a good bartender
A few of the qualities of a good bartender include:
Friendly personality and the ability to make conversation with new people
Organized and methodical
Clean and neat
Steady nerves and the ability to handle a crowd
Knowledge of alcoholic beverages and how they are served