Bartending. When this word comes to mind, several things immediately follow: job, late nights, liquor, inebriated patrons. But it is so much more than that. Bartending is both an art and a science, and it becomes more of a lifestyle than a job. You learn something new every single time you step behind that bar; that bar is definitely a world of its own. I have been bartending for around nine months now, and here are five (major) life lessons it has taught me thus far:
1. Patience is key!
Sounds basic, but it is oh-so-important. Sometimes people can become very impatient with their tickets, drink orders, what have you. As the bartender, it is your job to remain the exact opposite -- calm, cool, and collected. Learning how to respond to hurried questions and uttered responses with a big, genuine smile is something I highly value and know will be of use throughout my entire life, regardless of where I am or who I am dealing with. Also, learning drinks by the dozen and trying to keep them all memorized so that they can be created at the drop of a hat has also taken its fair share of patience. Practice makes perfect, and learning to have patience with myself has proven to be just as valuable as remaining patient toward the public.
2. How to (seriously) multitask!
One customer needs to cash out their tab, while a group of women insists on viewing your wine list at the same time a table just placed a six-drink order after the couple at the end of the bar spill their beer. Behind the bar, especially during a rush, you can feel like you are in waaay over your head! Learning how to deal with multiple orders and requests while organizing your tasks mentally in order of importance, as well as prep time, is definitely a skill that all bartenders come to acquire (I was a late bloomer). Luckily, at the bar where I work, we always work as a team and have each other's backs when sometimes the weeds just become impossibly thick. More hands can make all the difference during late-night rushes! So get that customer his tab and thank him, grab the wine list for those women and tell them you'll be right with them, wipe up that beer spill and get started on those six drinks. You got this.
3. Learn to empathize!
When you are behind the bar, you are placed in a particularly special position. People can be in bars for a large spectrum of reasons: to celebrate, to self-medicate, to forget, to connect, you name it. Being a bartender doesn't mean you simply take drink orders and then deliver said drinks. You, maybe even by accident, end up deeply connecting with several of your customers, many of whom may open up to you about things they might be too excited to contain or too pained to keep inside. It is easy to just nod and smile without truly engaging (which, yes, does happen), but people can tell when you are listening sincerely. And to truly do well in this profession, being genuine can only be beneficial for both bartender and bar-goer.
4. How to laugh it off!
As a bartender, sometimes you are presented with situations that make you feel frustrated, confused, or even a little annoyed. People can overstep boundaries with their gestures as well as their words, much like in any profession. And, of course, sometimes things happen in the bar that are just downright hilarious. And it's OK if the only response you have is a laugh! Behind the bar, it is impossible to take every little thing that happens and what every customer may say super seriously, so it is crucial to learn to take everything with a grain of salt -- just like those tequila shots that group at the end of the bar is having, yum!
5. It's OK to be assertive!
Bartending is a fun, social job that allows you to talk with your customers and enjoy your time behind the bar with your coworkers. While I mentioned above that bartending is more of a lifestyle than a job, it is still very much a job. As the bartender, it is your responsibility to make sure no one gets too drunk, no one gets hurt, no one starts getting rowdy, and no one is drinking underage. A lot of bars, like the one I work at, have bouncers and bar-backs that are essential to ensuring the safety of the customers as well as the entire staff. But sometimes, it may be solely up to you to tell someone "no" or "I'm sorry, but I cannot serve you." And that's OK -- that's part of your job! It has taken me a long time to learn to just stand up and be as assertive as possible in these situations. While you make a lot of friends through bartending, it is not your job to be everyone's friend. It's OK to have fun as long as the integrity of the bar is being protected and the law is being followed.
With that said and done, I would like to take a moment to make a shout-out to the bar I work at -- Gray Dog! Come see us in downtown El Paso, Texas -- 500 N. Oregon -- seven days a week! And please, please, please support our fellow locally owned bars -- you can google "downtown local El Paso bars" to find the bar of your dreams.
