Being a bartender is not that different from any other job. Natural talent helps, but the right training and a little experience can make all the difference. With the right skill set, even the least likely person can be a phenomenal bartender.
Use Sex Appeal
The best bartenders know how to work what they've got. It's important to leave them wanting more. Sexual tension will bring anyone back. Be careful, however, in how far it goes. Intimate relations with patrons can become messy and stir up unwanted and unnecessary tension.
Have Something to Talk About
While sex appeal may be important, it's not everything. So many young, attractive bartenders rely solely on their sex appeal to drive business and end up losing some because they had nothing to talk about. While some patrons love a great body or a pretty face, sometimes it takes a little more.
The best way to impress your patrons is to engage them in subjects they know. If you work at a sports bar, learn about sports – the players, the rules, the politics. If you have a great jukebox or host a lot of local bands, know your area's music scene or the artist and genre of the most popular songs. If all else fails, or if you're unsure, ask about your customer's lives, learn some funny jokes, or tell the funniest, scariest, or oddest story you've ever heard or experienced. Be the best friend they never had, and you'll find the crowd growing every time you step on shift.
Be Quick
The worst bartender is a slow one. Patrons are willing to forgive a cranky bartender if they never have to wait for a drink, but if it takes 10 minutes on a dead night for the hot sweetheart to get them a bottle of beer, she probably won't see a tip – or their faces – ever again.
Two part drinks should take less than 30 seconds from order to money collection, bottled and canned beers even less. More complicated drinks will take longer, but don't waste time talking to coworkers or giggling with cute patrons when you're helping someone else.
Get to Know Your Patrons
Knowing your customers will make serving them easier. Bob drinks the same thing every time. Suzie flags you down for a fresh one half way through her last. Joey only has two drinks no matter how long he hangs out. Knowing the people you serve everyday will make you memorable.
Impress the people who aren't your regulars by remembering their initial order. Most people don't change drinks more than once a night, but always check. "Two more brandy sours?" sounds better than, "What'dya need?" and will make the customers feel memorable. Whether they change the order or not, they'll trust you, and you can trust that they won't forget to tip.
Know the Basic Drinks
You don't need to know every drink in the book, but know the basics. Two-part drinks are simple (Jack & Coke, Vodka Tonic) and also know how to make a Manhattan, a Martini, a Cosmo, Bloody Mary and Tom Collins, drinks popular enough to be ordered at any given time. Some trendier cocktails, like the Mojito, are good to have in your repertoire as well.
Bring Your Friends
You're job is to bring people in, so why not bring in the people you enjoy being around the most? They'll tip well and you'll have fun. Just make sure they don't take advantage. And don't give away free drinks unless your boss OK's it.
The most important way to be a great bartender is to be yourself. No matter how much sex appeal you have, no matter what you talk about, what drinks you know, how fast you are or how many friends you have, it means nothing if you don't bring you to the mix. The best bartenders not only know their patrons, but themselves as well.
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