Bar Work

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Bar Work is a part of entertainment and leisure or hotel management industry. Bar refers to that area that serves beverages to its guests/customers. It is also called as lounge, nightclub, tavern or pub. It may include hard or soft drinks or juices depending upon the preferences of the guests. Some bars offer snacks as well. Along with beverages and food, they arrange entertainment for the guests in the form of DJ, band concerts, dance shows, pool or dart games, etc.

Work Profile and Responsibilities

Bar work is full of glamor, challenge and delight. It is a part of hospitality and entertainment industry and thus includes attending the customers and serving them beverages. This profile is subject to late hours, noise and bustling activities at all times. It is mostly into hospitality although they may perform certain billing and inventory tasks as well.

Qualifications

• Employers prefer candidates with bachelor's or master's degree in hospitality, food and beverages management
• Many staffers receive on-job training and hence, even a high school diploma is sufficient
• Some institutes offer certifications in beverages management, bartending and food and beverages safety measures, that candidates can take up

Skills

• Knowledge of different concoctions, mock tails and cocktails
• Ability to experiment and innovate
• Skills to prepare drinks and serve gracefully
• Communication and customer care skills
• Strength to stay up late and deal with fatigue

Job Scope

Bar work is team work where each person contributes towards providing an enjoyable experience to the guests. The most important positions and their chief duties have been mentioned below.

Bartender - Bartenders prepare and serve different beverages to the customers. They must be adept at preparing the concoction of alcohol, soft drinks or juices to prepare cocktails or mock tails. Often they juggle glasses or make pyramid of glasses to add glamor to the bar.

Waiter/Waitress - Certain bars appoint waiters/waitresses to serve beverages to the guests in their sitting area. They take down the order, pass it to the bartender and take back the beverages to the right guest.

Barback/Supplier - They are responsible to maintain the inventory. They make sure sufficient quantities of beverages are purchased and stocked to fulfill requirements.

Security Guard/Bouncer - They make sure the bar runs smoothly. They tackle miscreants and remove them from the bar to ensure guests enjoy their leisure hours. Also, they make sure the guests are old enough and have the permit to drink alcohol.

Entertainment Staff Members - These members include DJ, singers, dancers and pool and dart games organizers, etc. who entertain guests

Work Environment

Bars are opened as a freeway to entertainment, leisure and relaxation. They function throughout the night time up till early morning hours. It is a profile diverse from the usual and hence is characterized by certain features.

• Bars duties begin at night. Hence, the work timings begin at late evening and end by early morning hours. In addition, the bar place is often noisy. These two factors may affect the health of the staff members.
• As alcohol is served in the bar, bar staff members need to arrange the necessary licensures and certificates to serve alcohol. Or else it may invite the wrath of law enforcement officers.
• Security has to be beefed up at bars and lounges as drunken guests may misbehave with staff members or other guests. Hence, at times the situation may become hostile and lead to accidents. Staff members need to be adept at facing and tackling such situation.

Career Prospects

Few people consider bar work as full time career. Most bar staff members include students who work in bars to support their education or collect money to start up a business. Bar work is considered a risky venture for girls. However, bar work staff members can move in hospitality division or work as beverages manager after few years of experience.

Job Outlook

Hospitality and bar culture is one of the fastest growing sectors. It is sure to generate significant employment opportunities. High attrition rate, lack of skilled staffers, job regression, unhealthy lifestyles and demanding profile are reasons that generate vacancies more than often in bar industry.

If you wish to explore the nightlife, glamour and the world of beverages, follow your dream and make a career in bar work industry.