So I am thinking about supplementing my income and getting a second job as a bartender on the weekends. During the week I am a teacher and teach 8th grade math, but I figure I can make $100 a night tending bar. This can go a long way towards paying off my CC and saving for other things. Who here has ever tended bar? Did you take the classes for bartendin, or did you just find a job on your own?

Thanks
Dima

The bartenders license is required for any place where you'll be by yourself behind the bar. It's only a few hours and easy, but it is a "near" must have item.

A guy at my work bartends at Cattlemans in Livermore on weekends and some evenings. He has been doing it for several years. He told me that he pulls any where between $150-$400 in tips depending on what's going on.

Used to, good money but the hours were a wee bit long for me. I went to bartending school and took all the required classes to become a bartender. I was a dooman for too long and needed a change, fighting drunks all day sucks after awhile

Hard part is finding a decent bar where the people tip decently. I found a golf and country club and worked the clubhouse, I could clear $130 no problem everyday. Best day I ever had was $380 clear in one night. It was a wedding I was working and at the end of the night my tip jar was full....(cash bar)

Go for it, just remember the following
The waitresses pay you 15% of their tips
You pay the bus boys 10% of yours (they bring you the glasses)

And whatever you do don't try snapping caps by hand all night. I have the hardest hands on the planet and after 100 beers or so they are raw..

Would I be better off in a bar, or a Restaurant? I am not after the easy girls because I got the apple in my eye. Hell I live with her. I want a nice place, but some place that will net me the most money possible. IU live really close to San Francisco, and I majored in hotel restaurant management. I am sre I can work in a nice rest, but I think I may enjoy the bar scene better. What do you guys think?

DIma

Originally posted by Flatty
Would I be better off in a bar, or a Restaurant? I am not after the easy girls because I got the apple in my eye. Hell I live with her. I want a nice place, but some place that will net me the most money possible. IU live really close to San Francisco, and I majored in hotel restaurant management. I am sre I can work in a nice rest, but I think I may enjoy the bar scene better. What do you guys think?

DIma

hum....SF+bar=Gay bar :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Chaz Murray


hum....SF+bar=Gay bar :flipoff2:



He should have a Viper in no time :flipoff2:

bwahahahahha I will tend at a gay bar. They tip PHAT. A good looking guy like me shoould be able to walk out with a couple hundo every night.

COME AWN!!!!

DIma

Originally posted by Chaz Murray


hum....SF+bar=Gay bar :flipoff2:

You didn't finish the equation:


SF + Bar = Gay Bar = lots of cash

MY wife bartneds, she never took a class or has a license.
She Bartends at Chill's, and for a Friday for Saturday night, 200-300$ is easy

Down here bartenders can pull in a grand in tips over a weekend easily. That's canadian, but it's still around 750-800 USD.

I used to bartend, the hours are a little bit too much for me.

Originally posted by Flatty
bwahahahahha I will tend at a gay bar. They tip PHAT. A good looking guy like me shoould be able to walk out with a couple hundo every night.

COME AWN!!!!

DIma
Hell if you are secure enough and don't mind the occasional guy hitting on you go for it. It would be a fawking gold mine.
I worked at a bar and my worst night was around $150. I got OJT from a really cool lady who didn't mind the occasional fawk up and dropped bottle. Better than school I think.
Just be fast, mix good drinks, Learn to pour a beer with no head, and be nice and you will clean up.

I was just told the class is useless, and I should ahve never signed up for it. I hope I did not amke a mistake. I gfigure I can go back to USF and talk to the hospitality program. They can always set me up with a job in a worst case scenario. Thanks for all the advice here.

Now is there any advice on how I can get a job at bar or restaurant? Is there a better place to look, or is it all word of mouth?

Thanks
Dima

Might be hard to get the hours that give good tips when you're new.

Hope you don't mind cigarette smoke. Or is that illegal in CA?

Can't smoke in bars and rest in CA. I am not dying to get the big bucks right away,m just a little extra on the side.

Dima

I bartend every friday night at a small beer bar. I generally make anywhere from $130 to $300 in one 7 hour shift. Been doing it for almost 5 years at this bar. Not bad for spending money, but just about to get tired of working my normal day job then that on fridays. 20 hour fridays are getting old.

That is what I want to do as well. A beer bar wold be GREAT, but I gotta find that job first.

Dima

Originally posted by Flatty
I was just told the class is useless, and I should ahve never signed up for it. I hope I did not amke a mistake. I gfigure I can go back to USF and talk to the hospitality program. They can always set me up with a job in a worst case scenario. Thanks for all the advice here.

Now is there any advice on how I can get a job at bar or restaurant? Is there a better place to look, or is it all word of mouth?

Thanks
Dima

Hey Flatty, if you've got extra time to waste, starting as a restaurant bartender is a good way to learn the basic drinks, learn all about different alcohol and really improve your speed. You will NOT make much money though (comparatively). It will look good on a resume if you want to be a bartender in a bar. As far as that course goes? Bartending courses are all a waste of money. They help, but not much. If you want to take a course that will definitely help you land a job, look up flair bartending. Take a course in that and you'll land a job pronto. It helps you develop styles, bottle spinning/slinging and making very cool looking drinks. If you want to be the bartender with the huge line up that lasts all night, you better learn to spin your bottles.

So where should I go look for a job when I am done? I am pretty sure no good bar wil hire me because I am sooo new to this. I am guessing a rest or a hotel.

Dima

Originally posted by Flatty
So where should I go look for a job when I am done? I am pretty sure no good bar wil hire me because I am sooo new to this. I am guessing a rest or a hotel.

Dima
Resturant, Go for the new hooters :)

You could try a golf club? Usually they are busy with golfers during the day and busy with functions at night. Weekends are best.
I work nights at a GC here on the island and i make good cash. Its also a good place to learn bartending. Pour beer, usual highball drinks and maybe the odd fancy martini otherwise its a snap.
If you golf, usually staff get to play free. Its also a great way to make contacts around town.

Just watch the movie caddyshack and youll get the idea..:D