NIGHTLIFE
Bartending as a career choice
June 5 , 2005
I've had a few different jobs in my career, but by far the Bartending is my destiny. I couldn't stand it when I was stuck behind a desk the whole day long; I can't stand to sit still for that long. Working on a ladder all day just wasn't my cup of tea, (the paint fumes weren't good for the brain) and sitting on a machine moving dirt was something I enjoyed a lot, but the smell of diesel fuel and waking up at 5am was something I can live without. I guess I enjoy going to bed at this time rather than waking up.

No, the Bar is where I am meant to be, believe me it is not the life for most people, and I have seen some great bartenders get burned out quick from the long hours and stress that comes with this line of work. Not too many people can handle the 4am nights, which doesn't include the after-hours party where ever that might end up (that's another story that we don't have enough time for in this short publication). Most people don't go out to breakfast without a good nights sleep before hand. Not us, we bartenders are usually at breakfast at 7am because we haven't made it to bed yet. I've never understood why people don't understand this; you all go out after work till midnight , why can't we go out after work till 7am ? Same thing, just opposite times of the day. Remember that and try to give them some credit when you see a bartender out during the day, they are probably going on only a few hours sleep.

I'm not sure if it was the psychology in bartending that drew me to it, the hot chicks screaming out your name all night or if it's the fact that your job is a party. You have to admit they all sound pretty fun. I couldn't afford to get a Degree in Psychology, but I can get paid to be a Psychologist every night behind the bar. Believe me, people tell me things after a few drinks that they wouldn't think of telling their shrink. I could fill a book with stuff you would think is too outrageous to make up. I often wonder what makes it so easy for people to open up to their bartenders and why isn't the Government using us as their interrogators? I mean you have people that you've never met telling you the most intimate details of their life and hoping you give them guidance on their midlife crisis or just some guidance in any direction other than home.

There are other things that I can do that I know makes me good for this line of work. Not that I have some magical powers but for one I am a great mediator, referee or what ever you want to call it. I know I can usually dissolve an argument without a fight breaking up and most of the time can cut someone off with out them becoming too upset. This I know is a talent few others have. Another talent I've found is my hearing. Next time you're at the bar sit back and pay attention to the fact that most bartenders, good ones especially, can listen to three or four conversations at once. I know my coworkers and I can listen to a story from the girl at the end of the bar who wont stop talking no matter how busy you are, hear the guy in the middle who is shouting out an order for drinks and listen in on the juicy leftovers of last nights party the two hot chicks are talking about in between them. Now that's talent! In our line of work that's called Bartender Ears. Try and remember an order from a table of five without writing it down and not get the drinks and food mixed up; it's not as easy as it sounds. Now this is what separates the great from the so-so. Try and let some drunk cuss you out for their drink being mixed wrong when you know damn well its right, and keep a smile on your face the whole time. If you can do all of this, then you should be behind the bar with me.

I know it might not be the job for everyone but it's the job me and a lot of good friends call a lifestyle. So next time your at the bar please don't ask the bartender when their going to get a real job, we have real jobs that 90% of you couldn't keep up with for more than a week. Give that bartender at your favorite watering hole some credit, they put up with more crap on a daily basis then most of you do in a month of hearing your boss moan and complain. If a bartender can make it through the stress in a high volume club, then they have what it takes in my mind to get through most anything a job can throw out no matter what line of work it is. Oh, and on a little side note, you know that little line “the customer is always right”? Well this doesn't apply when alcohol is involved! So stop using it at the bar.

Thank You, I'll see you at the bar

Scott Garner
Bartender/Editor

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