A good bartender is friendly and relaxed but professional. A bartender’s job includes making drinks, which requires an in-depth knowledge of drink mixing techniques and drink ingredients. A bartender is also a server, making sure each customer feels at home, relaxed and comfortable in the bar. This includes watching out for customers' health, making sure they drink responsibly and staying informed enough to answer questions about upcoming events both in town and in the bar.
1. Study the drink list from your bar, especially local favorites and complicated mixed drinks. Ask other bartenders for a list of the drinks people order most often in the bar. Memorize the ingredients and methods for those drinks. Keep a bartender’s guidebook behind the bar, listing the ingredients and methods for a wide variety of other drinks people may order. Although you can access the guidebook if you are unfamiliar with a drink, having to do this repeatedly will slow you down and may leave people unhappy with your service.
2. Acknowledge each customer as they reach the bar. Nod and smile to each one, but also give each customer an idea of how long the wait may be. Be honest if you are running behind. Make customers feel comfortable as they wait, turning over an ashtray for them or passing out bar snacks during the wait. For instance, when you see a couple step up to the bar, you might smile and nod to the couple and say, “Let me make this gentleman’s drink, and I’ll be right with you.”
3. Stay informed about local events, tips for getting around in the city and any upcoming events at the bar. Make sure you know which game is going to be on the television that evening, including who is playing and a little gossip about how each team may do. Keep track of upcoming local events as well as the best route to take to get to those events. Pay attention to the calendar, especially looking for upcoming holidays. Prepare a few conversation points for each event, giving you some information to keep the barroom small talk going between you and your customers.
4. Pay attention to your customers, watching for signs of inebriation, and determine if they are in the bar alone or with a designated driver. Practice your respectful but authoritative request for car keys, and use it when you see a customer who seems unable to drive. Keep a list of how many drinks each table has ordered and how many each person at your bar drank. Cut your customers off before they become inebriated, and make sure tipsy patrons have a sober driver to help them home.