| While you may be thinking about attending | | | | crowded shifts - those that you make the most |
| bartending school, keep in mind that a bartending | | | | money with - you'll never have Friday or |
| career is not all fun and games. | | | | Saturday nights free. You'll be working. |
| Bartenders work hard, and are often paid | | | | If you still are thinking about attending bartending |
| minimum wage. Working at a top club will, of | | | | school, make sure you pick a reputable |
| course, up your take-home pay in the form of | | | | organization. You can also attend bartending school |
| tips (sometimes as much as thousands per night), | | | | online. Many bartending schools offer job |
| but you'll have to do your time and gain | | | | placement assistance one you finish your courses |
| experience at smaller clubs and bars first. Initially, | | | | - if you don't have a job lined up already, you'll |
| you'll also work the less crowded shifts. | | | | want help finding one. |
| Some bars and clubs even require new | | | | The best bartenders have an outgoing personality, |
| bartenders to work as barbacks first - this means | | | | are patient and tolerant of customers who may |
| you'll be schlepping beer and liquor from the | | | | have had one too many and are able to multitask |
| storage room to the bar, washing glasses and | | | | and work under pressure. Remember, you'll be on |
| cleaning up. Not nearly as glamorous as you might | | | | a virtual stage once behind the bar, with a lot of |
| have dreamed. As a barback, you'll earn a portion | | | | eyes watching you! |
| of the bartender's tips for the night. | | | | Once you've completed bartending school and |
| The hours are often long, you're on your feet the | | | | started your first job, know that you will make |
| whole time and might have to deal with a lot of | | | | mistakes. It's your ability to recover from them |
| rude customers. Aside from that, once you've | | | | with grace and humor that will keep you going. |
| moved up in the ranks and have the popular, | | | | |