Bartending

I've heard of individuals who paid hundreds of dollars for bartending school and have a tough time getting a job once they're done.

I bartended for 3 1/2 years but I started as a server, then a barback, until it was time for me to finally get my ass behind there. This took less than a year. All my training took place on "off" nights where it wasn't too busy. You definitely don't want to start off at a college bar with a rep of being rowdy and crazy. Think Violet Sanford in Coyote Ugly.

I stayed away from working at the bars near the school because I hated the college scene. Do you really want to work at a college bar? College kids are shitty tippers because they have no money. From my experience, the best tippers have been my customers in the military.

I could have easily stayed there and made hundreds a night like I used to, but after a while, if you don't get out...you'll never get out. It's not a glamorous job at all, and while it was fun while it lasted, I'm glad I'm no longer doing it.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by OTW

I stayed away from working at the bars near the school because I hated the college scene. Do you really want to work at a college bar? College kids are shitty tippers because they have no money. From my experience, the best tippers have been my customers in the military.

Small sample size, sport - it was probably exactly the opposite where I went to school.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Small sample size, sport - it was probably exactly the opposite where I went to school.

I think the important difference that would explain this is that you are not a hot Asian girl like OTW is!

[_Lisa_]

When I worked as a server at a local sportsbar, the only way to become a bartender was to start as a server & work your way up the chain, just like OTW said. And after seeing all the shit the bartenders put up with, I was much happier to be a server instead. Have you considered serving-try local places that aren't corporate because they are more likely to hire you without experience than say...Applebees.

[33girl]

I know this doesn't sound too exciting, but is there a chance you could maybe bartend at a VFW or something like that? I don't know if you mean you're actually living in Morgantown over the summer, but NWIH would I want to jump into bartending at the college bars there with no experience.

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

I think the important difference that would explain this is that you are not a hot Asian girl like OTW is!

Your check is in the mail.

[Symbal]

Have you tried in the Fairmont bars? I'm not sure how busy they are, but their school isn't as big as ours. Most of the most of the bars on High are very willing to train, but for some reason only want girls. (Boyfriend tried to get a position and they brushed him off and told him to apply as a bouncer instead. Lol) Pick up a book to get the basics.

For the record, a friend of mine got a job at Shooters as a bartender, and she's only a freshman. No experience. Training took about a week or so. Shooters has a high tender rollover from what I understand. Same with Z.

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by Symbal

Have you tried in the Fairmont bars? I'm not sure how busy they are, but their school isn't as big as ours. Most of the most of the bars on High are very willing to train, but for some reason only want girls. (Boyfriend tried to get a position and they brushed him off and told him to apply as a bouncer instead. Lol) Pick up a book to get the basics.

For the record, a friend of mine got a job at Shooters as a bartender, and she's only a freshman. No experience. Training took about a week or so. Shooters has a high tender rollover from what I understand. Same with Z.

Haven't checked out any Fairmont bars, I didn't even think of that. That's something I could look into, even though I'm not crazy about the half hour drive alone at 3 AM.. but it's worth checking out. I know pretty much every bar on High Street wants to hire girls, and I'm friends with the owner of Lizard and think he would hire me.. I'm just scared! I know Lizard trains its bartenders for two weeks before they start making tips and everything. I wouldn't want to try Shooters or Z though.. I've been there and seen firsthand the freshmen who don't believe in tipping.
33girl, I have considered the possibility of a "less popular" bar and might try that out. We have a couple smaller bars around Morgantown that aren't wild, college places. I don't remember who said it, but the Violent Sanford Coyote Ugly comparison really hit home!

[Symbal]

We really don't have 'little bars' that train or serve something other than beer. It seems to me that the people frequent Z/Shooters/Chasers/Lizard/Envy/etc are looking for liquor or anything better than Natty. Though Club Z is abominable, and I'd rather never go there again if I could help it.