Bartending is a great job, in fact it’s more than just a job, it’s a vocation, and one that most of us do out of passion for our industry. Put aside the long unsociable hours, the often far too low salary and the fact that your parents don’t think it’s a real job, and you actually have one of the best jobs in the world. It’s sociable, ever changing, fun, you get to meet amazing people, and it can give you a lifestyle that’s pretty amazing. These days it’s possible for bartenders to travel the world, drink in the best bars, eat in the finest restaurants, and party in places many people can only dream of going to.
That being said, there’s a learning curve, and to go from simply making drinks to having a career, there are several things that I think every bartender should experience. Ticking these things off the list one by one will expand your horizons, put you in contact with inspiring people who share your interest in booze, and open the door to opportunities you can’t even imagine.
So below is a selection of things that every bartender should try to experience. They’re all achievable, and I promise they’re all well worth making the effort to do, and will help you to tumble further down the rabbit hole of the drinks industry.
