Working as a bartender is one job that many people can do, but it’s also a job that’s not meant for everyone to pursue.
As soon as the first customers walk through the front doors at 6 p.m. sharp, I know it’s going to be a busy night. You take a deep breath and prepare yourself for another shift behind the bar.
You’d be surprised how many interesting characters you run into in Arizona.
There are a lot of aspects of the bartending life that stand out. For me, it’s the love of the fast-paced, social, and unpredictable aspects of working behind the bar.
From just the look through the naked eye, a bartender serves customers drinks. From that description alone, you may think that it’s an easy job to come by. I can tell you from experience that it won’t be as simple as you think.
For starters, you have to have training and certification to pursue this career. So, if you’re looking to follow this career path, there are factors to consider.
Obtaining Proper Arizona Certification
One of the main necessities is getting the proper certification, but it all depends on where you’re located.
You’ll want to find a trustworthy program that’s tailored for owners, managers, and staff of establishments involved in alcohol service and sales in the State of Arizona. Phoenix AZ bartending school is the official program and it doesn’t take long to finish. This is the easiest way to obtain all certifications and licences.
Understand that training for the AZ certification is only the tip of the bartending mountain.
Training will always emphasize the importance of responsible alcohol service education. The right program will cover proper lessons like:
- Responsible Alcohol Service
- Handling Challenging Situations
- Verifying Identification
- Understanding The Physiological Effects Of Alcohol
- Arizona Specific Laws, Rules, And Regulations, etc.
Obtaining this training from LiquorExam.com can properly push you in the right direction of entering the bartending industry. Once you have the certification, you can find a job you now qualify for.
But it’s important to understand that it will be quite the adjustment to make.
The Art Of Bartending
Sure, every establishment is going to be different, but you’ll always have your work cut out for you. On a typical busy night shift, I’m restocking the bar with ice, citrus fruits, beer, liquor, and anything else we might need for the night.
Then, I make sure all the glassware is clean and in its place beneath the bar. The real task begins once that printer starts spitting out drink orders that I need to make.
Some nights are better than others, particularly the slow nights where I can keep a nice pace as orders come in. On the other hand, nights with heavy traffic are the nights you have to keep up with no room to fall behind.
Vodka sodas, rum and cokes, martinis, and margaritas all start coming in rapid-fire, but you’ll have to keep up to succeed.
It’s a learning process that all of us bartenders have to go through. Once you get the hang of it all, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
You’ll be able to expertly pour measured shots, squeeze fruit juices, and garnish cocktails without much thought, as if it were second nature.
Being a bartender means being an impromptu therapist at times, listening to people talk through issues or celebrate successes. I genuinely enjoy the social side of the job and getting to know people from all walks of life sitting on the other side of the bar.
Of course, for every pleasant customer, there’s usually one drunk, rude, or inappropriate person. Dealing with problem customers comes with the territory in this business.
In Conclusion
With enough time and gained experience, you could become the best bartender you can be. But you’ll want to consider what comes with this line of work.
The hours are long and late, sometimes requiring you to sacrifice the aspects of your personal life.
Working behind the bar isn’t for everyone, but for me, interacting with people and being part of the bustling restaurant scene is thrilling.
Many would say that it’s just a job, but for some, it’s a form of lifestyle that we love to live.