Bartending

What it Takes to Be a Bartender
By Joey Pebble

A bar tender, as most people know, is somebody who serves beverages to patrons from behind a bar. These drinks are often alcoholic, although most restaurants have a bartender of some sort that provides all beverages, soft drinks, etc for the restaurant. When a bartender is called a barkeep, it usually signifies that they are the owner of the establishment, and not just an employee.

There are a lot of different types of bartenders, and the duties that are expect of one will depend on the type of establishment that they work in. In some restaurants, the bartender is all but invisible, working behind the scenes to fulfill drink orders for customers. In other places, the bartender is the center of attention, providing entertainment in the form of jokes, tricks, and bottle juggling. There are also jobs which fall all along the gradients in between the two extremes.

In places where the bartender is visible, they usually serve as the public image of the entire establishment. This usually means that a strict formal attire of some sort is required for the position.

A bartender can also serve to set the tempo of a restaurant or bar. This is done through interactions with the customers, and requires a person to be outgoing and friendly. Aside from providing drinks, the bar tender is also responsible for making sure patrons have beverage coasters, that the bar top is kept neat and tidy, and that the appearance of the entire establishment is maintained.

Aside from activities having to do directly with the bar, a bartender should also be able to provide directions to nearby locations, recommendations for other night life outside of the bar, and a ready repertoire of trivia, jokes, and humorous stories.

While some states require that a bartender receive certification, most don't. You can check with your local state officials for details about your specific location. Even if a certificate is not required, it may still be a good idea to attend a bartending class, in order to become more familiar with drink recipes and the bar in general.

This article was written by style philosopher Joey Pebble. If you are looking for an attractive set of bar coasters, you might want to consider the naturally absorbent sandstone coasters that are produced and distributed by http://coasters.PebbleZ.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joey_Pebble
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-it-Takes-to-Be-a-Bartender&id=2065065