Bartender's Job

[Lan4Dawg]

Treat the customer w/ professional courtesy and understanding and expect the same treatment in return.

Of course you can actually say that about any position or profession.

I have had several tell me that you should treat the customer the way you would want to be treated but think it goes beyond that. You should treat the customer the way that the customer wants to be treated. That is not necessarily easy nor is it the same as the first sentence.

[crabbjay]

"A good bartender has to be all things to all people all of the time."

Sound silly? Perhaps, but some folks want to be entertained. Some folks want to be left alone; they want their drink quickly and then they just want to sit alone and drink while writing or thinking without being bothered. Some folks want to be entertained, feeding off of a bartender with quick wit, charm, and a high-energy personality. Some folks simply need someone to listen (which is more difficult than it sounds. Listening is a lost art in my humble opinion). Some folks are the cocktail equivalent of a "foodie" and want a true mixologist, a cocktalian bartender who has complete command over the myriad ingredients behind the stick. These folks are drawn to bars that make their own house-infused syrups and bitters and pride themselves on new, creative cocktails. Some folks would never step inside a bar unless it was a "beer & shot" type of place with a good jukebox in the corner and sported a bartender behind the stick that always had a joke to tell.

Some folks want and appreciate all of the above depending on the day, the occassion, their pocketbook, their goal, or their current desires. To each his own. To a large extent the theme and atmosphere of the bar dictates the role of the bartender, but no matter WHAT you are looking for, we ALL enjoy prompt, friendly service with a warm smile whether we are being served beer and a shot or a Lemongrass Infused, Thai Chile Pineapple Mojito with a grazing of Mint Foam on top.

So yes, the bartender has to be all things to all people all of the time!

CHEERS!!!!!!!!

- Jay -

Edited February 24, 2006 by crabbjay (log)