Setting up your own bar is actually quite easy to do. There are however, a few things that good bartenders need to know to run a bar efficiently. In order for a bar to succeed, you’ll need to have the basic wines, liquors, and spirits – along with the right equipment. Although these things are essential, bartenders also need the proper technique for mixing drinks and cocktails as well.
With bartending, the location of the bar is very important. The bar should be placed in an area that is easily accessible and provides plenty of space around it. There should be plenty of room for glasses and drinks, along with a chair or two as well. The bartender has to learn the area behind the bar, and know everything about it. Bartenders need to know their area well – and how to perform their mixing duties when business heats up.
Another important skill bartenders should have is knowing their drinks. Bartenders are wholly responsible for serving and mixing drinks, which can be overwhelming to say the least. It’s almost next to impossible to know every possible drink mixture, which is why most bartenders use a “cheat sheet” – mixing lists hidden under the bar to help them know what goes in each drink.
Bartenders have a very limited time to mix drinks, making it nearly impossible to read each and every label. To help with this dilemma, you can always arrange your alcohol and drinks a certain way, to ensure that you know where everything is. This way, when business picks up and you find yourself short on time – you’ll know where to find your ingredients.
To become a successful bartender, or mixologist as people are fond of calling them, will take several years of practice. There are various styles of bartending as well, including the well known and very impressive flair style. Flair bartending involves very impressive techniques and tricks, which will leave customers truly amazed. Flair is the hardest style of bartending to learn and perfect, taking years and years of practice. Flair bartenders all around the world will tell you that flair brings the most crowds – although it can also cost a lot of money in broken bottles along the way!
Each and every bar should also have the basic spirits, such as Tequila, Vodka, Rum, and Gin. There should be also be fruit juices on hand as well, such as lemon juice, orange juice, and even pineapple juice. Almost all mixed drinks require juice, such as screwdrivers – which require both Vodka and orange juice. Mixed drinks are very popular, making it essential for the bartender to be a good mixologist – and have the right materials on hand at all times.
A lot of drinks that bartenders mix will require special gadgets such as shakers, measuring cups, rinsing bowls, and straws. Shakers are the most commonly used gadget, as they are essential for mixing alcohol. Bartenders will also need to keep cloth on hand as well, to quickly clean up spills and wipe down the mixing area from time to time.
As a career, bartending can be very lucrative. If you go to college and learn the techniques required for bartending, you can make more money than you ever thought possible. Bartending is a high paying job, full of fun, and a great way to meet new people. There are a lot of colleges and universities that offer bartending, or you can study online if you have a full time job to attend to. No matter which way you go – bartending can be a lot of fun and makes for an exciting career.
