Bartender

James Demumana

A bartender is responsible for preparing alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages for bars and patrons. He also interacts with customers, taking orders and serving snacks and drinks. Assessing bar customers' needs and preferences and making recommendations.

James Demumana, is a bar man at News Café restaurant and says that bartenders work at restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and other food service establishments.

Demumana says during busy hours, he is under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently, while ensuring that no alcohol is served to minors or overly intoxicated customers.

“I perform repetitive tasks, and sometimes lift heavy kegs of beer and cases of liquor. I am often in the front line of customer service and a neat appearance is important,” he said.

He learned his skills through short-term on-the-job training. No formal education is required. If you would want to be a bartender you must be familiar with the state and local laws concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Training focuses on cocktail recipes, bar-setup procedures, and customer service, which includes handling unruly customers and other unpleasant situations. In food service establishments where bartenders serve food, the training may cover teamwork and proper food-handling procedures.

You need to have interpersonal skills as bartenders should be friendly, tactful, and attentive when dealing with customers. For example, they should be able to tell a joke and laugh with a customer to build rapport, Demumana says is one of the professional super power one needs.