@@danieljones3846 You wouldn’t be the first I’ve heard of two different woman: one went to school for law and one became a teacher- both decided to bartend instead
I got a job at a brand new seafood restaurant 5 months ago. I was brought on as a bartender with no experience other than bartending with a catering company for 4 years and working in wine shops for 10 years. I keep track of all of my tips, both while I'm serving and while I'm bartending. As it is a new restaurant, we're in the middle of COVID, and January is a slow month, I've made about $22/hour when my tips and wages were divided by my total hours, which is about 35 hours a week. In December, when I made around $4000 total that month, I averaged $26/hour. Total hours were about 35 hours a week. I got COVID and had to take 10 days off, so I could've made more. Just wanted to share my experience.
I make between $23 - $35/hr as a day shift bartender (in an Indian casino) depending on what season were in (right now we are in the slow season). I started bartending at age 49 and I started doing F&B work at 44 prior to that time I was a bookkeeper making 35K a year. I am 51 now. As a casino bartender, I am heavily allocated (like 16 to 20% on gross sales depending on venue).
Im 43, and recently came back to bartending. All in all I’ve been doing it about 20 years, or a little longer, mostly at casual dining places. At one point I was a manager, a bar manager at that, in casual dining, and when pandemic hit, I went back to slanging drinks. I definitely would much rather be doing this, especially at the spot I work at now. It’s not a corporate chain, more of a lounge, and I do very well. I work at the most, 4 days a week, and sometimes clear over a $1000. Granted, this where the people with money to blow in my city, hang out. Tips are good, crowd, for the most part is well behaved, and music is great!! I don’t think I’d ever go back to a desk job, or the corporate world again. I also have a few side hustles, which also supplement my income. But, the work schedule I have allows me to do so, without burning out. I do get burned out sometimes though….but, like I said, my experience, and work ethic, allows for me to pretty much get the days I want, off, or work. I am so grateful…..just remember, if you’re interested in becoming a bartender, I’d definitely do my due diligence on the locale, demographics, and work environment. That all comes in to play on what kind of work, and how much of it you’re going to be doing. Local spots are a bit more work, because you pretty much open, & close….depending on hours of operation. The bars that open at 4 or 5pm, usually have one bartender on slower nights, which means you’ll be doing everything from prepping bar, to mopping restrooms, at end of shift. If you work with a couple of bartenders, and you pull tips, make sure they pull their weight. Lots of factors and variables, but it can be a fun, lucrative job….if you find the right spot. I’m so blessed I have, and will soon be made a partner, and hopefully be tied in to the negotiations to make or sell the dining part (pizzeria), as a franchise down the road. Good luck, and have fun. Most of it is a great attitude, attention to guests, and hustle……the rest is repetitive, for the most part, so with some time, you’ll learn to make the drinks with no problem.
I’m the head bartender at a bar/restaurant that operates off of a tip pool, and after watching this video I’m beginning to think I’m working at the wrong place.. thanks for the info 👍🏻
I think this also depends on whether you are the sole bartender. Some places all the tips go into a single jar and are split up evenly amongst everyone else. And some bartenders aren’t honest and pocket some tips before putting them in the jar
In Australia, we tip only when the service is exceptional, and even then it’s ten per cent, the reason being our minimum wage is high enough, but if you’re getting $300usd ($407aud) in tips per night, which is not taxed, then that is significantly more than what we would earn in wages in one night, so the whole “our wage is high enough” does not seem like legitimate grounds to discourage tipping.
I’ve been watching a lot of your videos and I was on the fence but it wasn’t the money that pushed me to do this but the fact that you said it was April.... the universe spoke to me and I’m answering the call!! Thank you
The BLS also says the average over the road truck driver make $40k... I'm I work at a starter trucking company and still make $80k. Many make much more. BLS is pretty poor T reporting wages. The culprit in trucking is perdiem rather than tips
which kind of bars make the most money for a bartender? nightclub / sportsbar / irish pubs / hotel bars ??? Also, where should I start working as a new bartender with no experience?? thanks for the video Dave.
I hate to give the old standard "it depends" answer, but it's true. I know bartenders who work lunch shifts at a restaurant and serve not only the bar but all the tables and make $350 per shift. Another guy I know works at a high-end hotel and makes $25 per hour in wages plus tips. Both of those are unusual, but at the same time realistic, so it depends on different things. Is the bar busy? How many bartenders are scheduled (because you split tips)? Do you live in an area with lots of money? But to answer your question the best I know how, nightclubs are considered very good money or any bars that are busy at night throughout the week. To get started, though, work anywhere you can get hired to get experience, and then scale up from there.
I’d say your sports bars are gonna be the best bet for volume. Upscale fancy restaurants I would assume are more quality than quantity with higher tips
I can answer one of those questions. Best place to start is anywhere that gets you hired. One of the best ways to get hired (you can be complete GARBAGE in your interview) is learn their drink recipes before the interview. Granted you wont know the exact ounces/ml per drink, but your interviewer will shit their pants. Easy win.
Here's my question. Do most bartenders make enough to pay for their own health insurance, or do they usually have to work somewhere else that has benefits in addition to bartending?
Depending on your situation you can game the system a little bit. You don't have to claim all your tips and such you make basically nothing on paper. You then qualify for government healthcare. It's a little unscrupulous but you're paying into the system anyways and always have been. If you don't have any major health problems you can afford it just fine.
I agree with what they said. If you have little to no health issues, then you should be able to get a basic premium. And if you are bartending as a 1099- Independent Contractor, you could possibly right all your insurances off on your taxes. Do research on it though
This absolutely depends on where you live, which bar you are at, how many hours you work, which shift you work, do you work alone, do you split tips with other people, how much do you claim? In WA and AK, i was making 10 an hour plus tips not splitting tips with anyone. In NC my sister was making 2.25 an hour and splitting tips with everyone she didnt make shit.
Hotels hotels hotels. Most consistent pay with corporate benefits. Trust me if you want to make it a career. If you’re in school or just doing to get that next goal go to the big night clubs. 3 days at the right club you’ll make rent and a bit more. I’ve been bartending at hotels for 15 years and I have been able to experience and obtain more for me and my family than most of the managers I work under.
You rock bro. And I am so stoked and excited about becoming a bartender. It was meant for me man and I’m going to own it Also thank you brotha for your videos keep rocking on bud
I live in Northern Virginia just outside of DC and know several bartenders that make over $150k/year. I make less than that as a licensed surgical first assistant.
That’s because you make a decent hourly wage in the UK. In the US the hourly wage is so low so you basically make majority of your income off tips. Tip culture in UK vs US is just different. . . 💕✨
I make 250 a shift minimum in a tiny pub. Single shift not double. I average 275 x 5 shifts. And I usually have a 300 and 400 dollar day in there. So 275 275 275 300 400 soooo 1425 a week in my pocket
Haven't been back there in a while but Florida used to pay extremely low to waitresses I'm not sure about a bartender. But being raised by a single mom that was a waitress it kind of pisses me off. I had to go to school wearing the bobo's with the velcros and I knew it wasn't my mom's fault.
Hey Matthew, to answer your question, yes. I think Chang's is still a good place to bartend, except that with the labor shortage going on, I know that the PF Chang's in our area didn't even have enough staff to be able to take care of all the people waiting for tables, so people were being turned away. This chokes off the flow of customers and money. So as long as the flow of customers is good and you have enough staff to accommodate them, I still feel that the Chang's is great place to bartend. Good luck.
hello my name is akash and i am working as bar executive in pune city in india It is my dream to get a job in United America and I have been trying for a long time. Hospitality my experience is 4-5 years i hope i can get some help from you.....
I mean “with wages”? No wages do nothing but pay taxes. We get $0 paychecks. I make currently 40-53 an hour on mon-thurs. Friday-sat I don60-80+ hour, and sundays it is so unpredictable but if I left with less than 30 an hour I’d be pissed
Being a bartender seems quite attractive as seen on tv ads and movies, where u work at a fancy place where hot chicks come and write their numbers. but in reality its not as its shown. I mean I would fancy, chit chatting gals, making 40-50 bucks an hr cuz I am in IT sector working with Software Engineers and they make that much with some experience working 50-60 hrs a week. But is all that really holds true for all bartender jobs? there are shitty bars and pubs with bar fights and not that fancy places more common than Hyatts or Marrriot. Just need some input on being a bartender
I was under the assumption he started at PF Changs as a Bartender. Hence, the video on top 5 places to bartend. It sounded as if he hated claim jumpers or wherever all dressed up. A friend said apply at PF and he got his bartending job only thinking a 5% chance getting it. Don’t understand it.
Allow me to clear up your confusion Brad. I was a server at Claim Jumper, not a bartender. I had no experience when I went to apply to P.F. Chang's so I didn't think I would get it. They hired me as a hybrid server/bartender, and I worked as a server for a few weeks and then moved into bartending where I started making the big bucks ($300+ per night), although even serving I was making $150 per night, so not a bad position to start at. Hope that helps.
Dave Allred TheRealBarman Yeah, for sure. I have a PF down the street from my house, but was going to apply at a pub further away only because my biggest issue is finding a pub/dive bar that will hire a guy. So many places prefer women bartenders I notice and found the pub posted men/Women bartenders. I’m not big on uniforms, but didn’t know PF has potential for decent money and may want to apply if that’s the case. Thanks for a reply.
Thanks for the video. I'm not a bartender so forgive me for pushing back but here are some thoughts, based on personal experience. Where you lose me on this is the math. In the results, you begin by explaining that the average bartender works 3.5 shifts per week or 24.5 hours a week. Then you proceed and explain to do math that this actually breaks down into $36.84/hour or $46,930/year. I'm with you this far. But then you take that hourly wage times 40 hours a week to arrive at $76,627/year. While the math is accurate, it's not reality because, as you stated, you only work 24.5 hours a week, not 40. So you aren't ever going to achieve the $76,627 (unless you are the bar owner or something and work more hours). Moreover, where I'm from I can't imagine a bartender's cut being $699.50/wk. in tips. Many bars are smaller pubs that, even on the busy nights don't have that many customers. Your busier nights are going to be Friday or Saturday with a little action midweek to the end of the work week if people dip out for a quick cocktail or something but its not going to be the people who go out and order several drinks like they would on a Friday or Saturday. Are we counting splitting tips at a nicer restaurant where people might tip $10+ for a meal? Because you can't make that type of money at a local pub...not where I am anyway (population 80,000) . Maybe I'm thinking wrong establishment here. Dunno. Help me see what I'm missing. Thanks
Hey Michel, thanks for questions. Helps everyone understand better. The truth is, there are a thousand different types of bars, restaurants, pubs, lounges, dive bars, sports bars, hotels, cruise ships, etc. etc. the list goes on and on. So you're right, you won't make that money at every place you work, just like any profession...some people make a killing in that profession while others do not. The goal here is to gain experience at any bar you can get into so that you can improve your skills, level up and get hired at the money-making establishments and eventually make the big bucks. Anyone can do it. And as far as the week night shifts go, I used to make some of my best money on those nights because I wasn't sharing tips with 2 or 3 other bartenders. My regulars would come in and it was just me, so I could ring up $1,500 in sales and make $300. I would work the bar and take care of the lounge tables. In the end, like many things in life, it all depends on many factors, but like any profession, the goal is to improve your skills and experience, and then move up the ladder so you can make more money. Hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by.
well i am a day bartender and i can tell you that in my last hour of work for the day i make $40 just off of my 8 single customers that come in for a few beers during happy hour.
I barback at a large restaurant in Boston and make can make $150+ a night in tips.. making more than $700 per week is easily possible for a bartender lol. 24 hours a week is nothing. To be full time you have to work 30-40 hours a week. To think you could “never” work full time is ridiculous. You’re looking at “the math” but need to re-evaluate your understanding of a job.
Then you would have to work full time in a high cost of loving city. Remember that these are averages. 100k in NYC or Vegas isn't that impossible, but in Alabama it's a LOT to expect.
Yes they do make hand over fist money no doubt. And I was jealous cuz I went to college and wasn't making that kind of money. My girlfriend did it for years ended up with three DUIs and now she's homeless.. so if you're going to do this realize you're not going to have any personal life nights weekends and holidays. Is she never got married or had children. You might make a ton of money but you have to be smart about it. That's my take on it.
I'm inclined to agree with you Christine. The bartending nightlife is a blast and you can make a lot of money, but just like with anything, moderation is important or the party lifestyle will catch up to you. Having fun is fine, but being professional and responsible is even more important. Thanks for the input.
your friend never married or had children .. why even mention that comment ? That's irrelevant . You difinitely sound jealous. You shouldn't comment on this platform unless you're a bartender . You sound like a miserable troll . I'm a bartender of 12 years in this industry .
@@susievelasquez4415 EXACTLY! Like why blast your “friend” that way. Maybe if she spent time being a better friend and being more empathetic then her “friend” would’ve been more responsible
Hey dreadfairy, the free training course is pinned to the top of the comments, but here it is again for you: ▶ FREE 7-DAY BARTENDER TRAINING [BARTENDING SECRETS] Register Here: register.barpatrol.net/free-training16073
@@DaveAllredTheRealBarman it's not pinned to the top of the comments, you dont have any pinned comments on this video. But thank you for posting it here 😊
I beg to differ dreadfairy. I'm staring at it right now at the top of all these comments and it's been there for 8 months. Glad I could help though. Best of luck to you.
@@DaveAllredTheRealBarman well I was just trying to let u know that it apparently isnt showing for everyone. I'm looking at it on mobile and it does not appear for me. I can send u a screenshot if u like.
this guy is the exception and not the rule....Tons of poor bartenders out there making no money. PF Changs?? Of course you're making good tips...But those jobs are far and few between and I think it's misleading to say that everybody would make good money slinging booze...imho..
I have to respectfully disagree, David. Are there bartending jobs that make very little money? Of course there are. Are bartending jobs that make good money like P.F. Chang's few and far between? Not even close. There are more than 75,000 bars/restaurants with bars in the U.S. alone, and even if you're a lower level bar, you're making tips which is better than minimum wage. As you gain experience as these lower level bars, you're able to level up and apply to better-paying bars. Yes, the money will vary, as it will with any profession, but bartenders in general make extremely good money, and sometimes you just need to level up to get to one that makes the money you're looking for. I've worked personally with hundreds of bars and thousands of my students, and the money is out there. You just have to have the balls to go get it. Just my two cents.
If you're not able to be a people person then yeah you'll suck. I made 46k a year working 2 nights a week as a BARBACK. Granted it was Downtown Denver, but those numbers are not unrealistic.
@@timfode34 I work as a bartender in STL work Friday/Saturday at one bar and Sunday at another. On average I make 600-700 in 3 days. On a good weekend Ive made over $2000. This is my side job
that isn't even true. i live in bismarck and my friend works at a dive cafe and make $200-300 off the morning breakfast rush :) so we good up here in ND
Lol, I'm from Bismarck and it can be very polarized. You can make absolute garbage at diners "Krolls Kitchen" if it's even a place still. Peacock Ally will net you some cash though.
I tried that 😊 and was surprisingly good at it. Until I checked my credit and seen that I’m already owing $12k back in student loans. So now I’m going back to bartending so I can pay that off.
