BARTENDER

A Bartender serves beverages behind abar in a pub, club, tavern or similarestablishment. This usually includes alcoholicbeverages of some kind such as beer, wineand/or cocktails, as well as soft drinks orother non-alcoholic beverages.

Tasks

Aside from their core beverage-serving responsibility, Bartenders alsotake payment from customers (andsometimes from the waiters orwaitresses);Maintain the liquor, garnishes,glassware, and other supplies orinventory for the bar;Serve food to customers sitting at thebar; andKeep the bar area clean.

Basic Educational RequirementThere is no specific educational

requirement for Bartenders. However, mostemployers prefer to hire highschoolgraduates. Specialized training in food andbeverage handling and salient legal issuessurrounding serving alcoholic beveragesand tobacco are very essential toBartenders.

Skills and CompetenciesSome Bartenders acquire their skills by

attending a bartendering program whichincludes laws and regulations on theminimum requirements in serving alcoholicbeverage, cocktail recipes, proper attireand conduct. These programs are offeredby some local hotels and restaurants,culinary schools and trade and testinginstitutions. Some Bartenders pick up theirskill on the job by observing and workingwith more experienced Bartenders.

Physical Attributes and CharacteristicsBartenders should be neat, friendly and

enjoy talking with customers. Proper attire,good grooming and good conduct are amust for Bartenders. Most bartenders directlyserve and interact with customers in the barrequiring them to have a pleasant way withthe patrons. Good Bartenders help providea steady clientele by remembering thefavored drinks of regulars and havingrecommendations on hand for a localnightlife beyond the bar.

Salary/CompensationAside from customers’ tip, a local

Bartender receives an entry level wage ofP8,000-9,000 based on the salary ratesprevailing in the industry.

Bartenders in the US receive anaverage of $7.42 per hour plus tips.

Prospects for Career AdvancementFor most of the Bartenders,

advancement usually is limited to finding ajob in a busier or more expensive restaurantor bar where prospects for tip earnings arebetter. Some Bartenders advance tosupervisory jobs, such as dining roomsupervisor and maitre d?hotel.

Employment OpportunitiesThere is a high demand for well-trained

Filipino front-liners in the tourism industry(food and beverage is included in the saidindustry) abroad.

In the Middle East alone, hundreds ofhotels and resorts are being built. These willrequire thousands of hotel staff, Bartendersincluded. Bartenders are in demand notonly in hotels, clubs and bars but in cruiseliners as well.

Cost of Training *A one-year training course on Hotel &

Restaurant operations cost around P37,000.

Students who have completed the oneyear course will be issued a Certificate inHotel and Restaurant Operations.

For those aspiring to rise to positions ofgreater responsibility and authority such assupervisors/managers, they can enroll in a 2-year course on Hospitality Management.The program is ladderized such that thestudent who has already completed theCertificate program needs only to study onemore year to complete the requiredmodules for the Diploma at an additionalcost of P33,200. These courses are offeredyear round at CHAMP School (Center forHospitality Arts Management Philippines).

* Based on 2007 rates