Bartending

[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.

[AchtungBaby80]

As others have mentioned, most bartenders I know (and there are quite a few since practically all of my friends work in restaurants/bars) started as servers and then sort of worked their way up to bartender. You might run up on some non-chain place that will hire and train you specifically to bartend--actually, they did that at the little mom-and-pop restaurant I used to work in--but most of the corporate places make you start out waiting tables.

Whatever you do, stay away from bartending school...everyone I know who's been says it's a waste of time and money. You can learn the same things just working in a restaurant or bar.

[DeltAlum]

When I was "living" at the Millenium UN Plaza Hotel in New York a couple summers ago, I got to know the bartender there and asked him if bartending school was worthwhile.

He said that he hadn't gone to bartending school -- but his father had owned a bar.

Hmmm...

Nothing like a little on the job training.

My opinion is that there is a huge difference in bartenders. I love to find a real "mixologist" who really knows how to make all of the traditional drinks -- not just pour a shot and add something fizzy -- or know what this years "in" college bar drinks are. Like, what the hell is a Jelloshot?

I strongly suspect (with no personal experience) that the mixologist type in a high class hotel or restaurant could do pretty well -- but that person would really have to know how to mix -- and what glass to use and how to prepare the glass, etc.

To me, those folks are impressive.

Like my former pal at the UN Plaza.