What Do You Look For In Good Bar Staff?

[Minstrel SE]

Hi

I am going to be working on a Hotel bar for some extra income. Its a smallish bar that doesnt do cocktails or anything too complicated. It does have a large Gin Bar section and Ive been learning about all the drinks and what they are distilled from. I have other duties in the hotel so its going to be quite pressured as a bar person

Do you think I will be able to learn fairly quickly as a good barman is worth their weight in gold. I can make the simpler drinks with ice and pull a pint. With lots of concentrated study I can get up to speed

The shots and wine go in measuring containers so I dont have to free pour like they do a lot in fancy joints

The other night a lovely lady was in from Tasmania of all places. Lovely and the job is looking good

Learning the Pos system doesnt look too hard. I can certainly be more friendly than some youngsters you see in chain pubs. I doubt I will relate to every customer but Im naturally friendly if a bit on the shyer side. Im not going to be telling jokes to the crowd but I like a good chat if I ever get the time

Just fancied a chat on my favourite forum. What qualities would you look for in someone that is serving you a drink?

What am I actually letting myself in for
Best wishes
Martin

[Tim]

Having worked as a hotel barman in West Wales for 2 years in the early 80s, the thing I learnt was being a good listener, but to not push myself on people. A smile works wonders.

My biggest thing was serving in order and taking the time to know who was waiting in line, it really irks when bar staff just serve whoever shouts the loudest. Most people know where they are in relation to waiting to be served, so if you get it wrong it can be annoying. That's still my biggest beef with bar staff, it's just lazy, so for me if that's right I'm happy. Oh, short pints too, that's annoying and people who don't know how to pull a pint of Guinness. It's actually not hard, just takes time and you can serve two people at once if one wants a Guinness.

If it's a busy bar you soon learn the drinks and these days I guess you don't have to remember how much things cost anymore, that's what took most of my time learning.

So for me, if they are polite, have served me in the correct order, not overcharged me and know how to pull a 'full' pint of Guinness, then I'm golden.

Enjoy, I had a lot of fun when I did it as I was single at the time

[narabdela]

It's almost 40 years since I worked in a bar, but in a busy bar, the real skill is keeping an eye on the crowd in front of you while you're working and knowing the order in which to serve them.

It seems to be a dying art these days.

EDIT: Just noticed that Tim addressed the same issue in the post above. As he says it's just lazy, but it seems to be the norm nowadays.

[The Black Adder]

Enthusiasm, knowledge, order priority and a bit of cheeky banter. Just like any job you need to 'fit in'.

Its difficult being behind the bar but with a good attitude it can make it a whole lot easier. But some people treat it as a chore like fast food outlets.



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[hifi_dave]

Efficient and friendly.

[struth]

Sullen bad bastard

[struth]

If female. Big tits

[walpurgis]

My daughter is the best barmaid I've ever seen. She worked at my local for about five years and was hugely popular. She's friendly, amazingly efficient, makes a point of knowing and chatting to regulars, clocks everybody entering and makes sure nobody is kept waiting. Her being very pretty no doubt helps.

She has a similar job on the east coast now.

[Edward]

Heh Grant

I saw the title of this thread and thought "Should I? Perhaps not. No I will not". Then I saw you did it!.

[WESTLOWER]

Heh Grant

I saw the title of this thread and thought "Should I? Perhaps not. No I will not". Then I saw you did it!.

Hmmm... sometimes this forum resembles a 70's 'Carry On'!