Bartender Job Description: Duties, Skills and Template
Short answer: A bartender mixes and serves drinks to bar guests and fills drink orders for servers. Bartenders check IDs, serve alcohol responsibly, take payments, keep the bar clean and stocked, and handle opening and closing tasks such as setting up garnishes, counting inventory and closing out the register.
Good bartenders are fast, friendly and careful with every pour.
Bartender job description template
Job title: Bartender
Reports to: Bar manager or restaurant manager
Summary: Prepare and serve drinks with accurate pours and friendly service, and keep the bar safe, clean and stocked.
Duties
Greet bar guests, take drink and food orders and recommend drinks.
Mix drinks to the house recipes and pour accurately.
Fill service bar tickets for servers quickly.
Check IDs and refuse service to minors and visibly intoxicated guests.
Take payments and manage bar tabs.
Set up the bar: ice, garnishes, glassware and backups.
Clean and restock during and after the shift.
Count inventory and record waste and spills.
Skills and requirements
Knowledge of classic cocktails, beer and wine.
Fast, organized work at a busy bar.
Responsible alcohol service. Some states and cities require bartenders to complete an approved alcohol server training program.
Meets the state’s minimum age to serve or mix alcohol.
Bartenders usually earn an hourly wage plus tips, and often share tips with barbacks. See tip pooling rules and the restaurant tip-out guide. This is general information, not legal advice.
Schedule the bar to demand
Weekend nights and events need more hands behind the bar. EZTime schedules bartenders and barbacks around your busiest hours, sends shift reminders and exports hours for payroll and tip pools.
Frequently asked questions
What does a bartender do?
Mixes and serves drinks, checks IDs, takes payments and keeps the bar clean and stocked.
Do bartenders need a license or certification?
Some states and cities require approved alcohol server training. Requirements vary by location.
How old do you have to be to bartend?
It depends on the state. Check your state’s alcohol laws.
