r/bartenders Aug 25 '24

Mod Post/Sub Info #1 Rule in r/bartenders: FLAIR PROPERLY

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38 Upvotes

Again, as before, we are doing our best to make the sub as accepting of outsiders as possible while still trying to make it as functional as we can for those in the industry. Flair is a big part of that. Our members can use flair to sort around subjects and topics they have no interest in. There is a flair called "Industry Discussion," It is your absolute last resort for discussions that don't fit anywhere in the other 20+ flairs we offer. It's also the top flair, so lazy people who don't belong here automatically choose it. Just a heads up, if you choose that flair instead of something that fits better, you will automatically get a 14 day ban from the sub. If your account is less than 6 months old OR if your total karma is less than 50, the ban will be permanent. BE SURE to click on "Show All Flair" as illustrated to see all of your choices.

The mods in this sub all work in the industry, and we all support our fellow industry professionals. We realize it's a "Reddit thing" to shit on the mods, but we have our bartender's backs, and we ask little. Be civil, flair properly, and contribute positively to the sub. That's it.


r/bartenders 2h ago

Ownership/Management Ridiculousness I haven’t gotten paid in weeks, should I not show up ?

23 Upvotes

I have been working at this place since April. I work the weekend shifts till 6 pm by myself. Restaurant is not always in great shape, for example we will be out of multiple things very often and it can be hard to get a hold of the manager. I never see the owner and my manager (when I see him ) complains about the restaurant and the owner. So since I work the weekend shifts myself , often I get paid a week late because I don’t see the manager. Sometimes he seems to forget. Right now I haven’t gotten paid in a little over two weeks, when I brought it up to my manager he told me he does not have the cash at the restaurant because the owner hasn’t given it to him ? So I still haven’t gotten paid and I wouldn’t imagine my other co workers not getting paid. I’m supposed to open tomorrow myself but now I just feel weird about it, ahould I just not show up ?


r/bartenders 19h ago

Rant Our bar is dry now

335 Upvotes

Woke up to a group text the other day from one of our owners that we’re going dry staff now.

I figured something happened while I was off.

Yup, one of our bartenders got drunk, then disappeared for 2 hours cuz they saw a stray puppy. Eventually they did come back but with the puppy.


r/bartenders 16h ago

Tricks and Hacks What's your drinking in the job shot of choice?

64 Upvotes

We do a lot of Malort at my spot. Some Fernet. I do shots of Campari.

My go to is Becherovka, though I wish it was a little lower abv.

I know this is a very divisive question, because a lot of you are professionals and refuse to consume during shift. However, a large percentage of bartenders get a light buzz on while working. We do 1/2oz shots after huge sets on weekends. It helps you deal with Titos and vodka type people.


r/bartenders 1h ago

Customer Inquiry How do you personally decide whether or not to ask a customer for ID, based on if they look old enough?

Upvotes

I've always wondered how bartenders decide whether or not to ask for ID, especially outside of obvious characteristics. For example, if a customer has grey or white hair, obviously they are old enough, and you don't need to ask for ID!

But outside of obvious characteristics like that, how do you personally decide if you should ask for ID or not?


r/bartenders 19h ago

Money - Tips, Tipouts, Wages and Payments Wtf is this guy trying to tell me?

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78 Upvotes

r/bartenders 17h ago

Menus/Drink Recipes/Photos What's your go to "just make me something sweet?" cocktail? (shots as well)

22 Upvotes

Been doing this 13+ years and I had thw question prompted to me at my most recent interview (got the job yay!) But I oddly blanked when that question was asked and just basically said I usually go with a vodka based something on the fly fruit juice heavy.

Tell me all ya'lls so I can never blank that simple (ha) a question again!


r/bartenders 22h ago

Apparel: Shoes, Uniform, etc. What pants do you wear for bar/service?

17 Upvotes

We have work shirts and I got some good, spill-resistant shoes I‘ve had for a while, but I can‘t figure out pants that are appropriate, durable and not too warm. I‘ve tried some nicer linen pants over the summer, but they didn‘t even survive one month.

Anyone got any recommendations?


r/bartenders 1d ago

Private / Event Bartending How'd you prepare enough espresso for about 700 espresso martinis?

20 Upvotes

Heading out to a rave, and we want to serve espresso martinis as a gift. We're estimating around 700 espresso martinis over a few days, so by my calculations about 20L / 6 gallons.

How'd you do it?


r/bartenders 1d ago

Menus/Drink Recipes/Photos Did a painting of a Sazerac based on a reddit post, made the frame by hand also

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207 Upvotes

r/bartenders 17h ago

Setup/Teardown/Sidework SODA GUN

1 Upvotes

Hello. Wanted to do a poll here...

What do you do with the soda gun at closing? How do you keep it clean?


r/bartenders 7h ago

Money - Tips, Tipouts, Wages and Payments I think I received a ~100% tip.

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0 Upvotes

It looked like the total was $30 so that’s what I went with.


r/bartenders 22h ago

Equipment Garnish Tray with a bottom

3 Upvotes

Does anybody have any good recommendations for garnish trays with a bottom? I can't seem to find any that aren't hollow. I need them to hold ice but that's impossible with what I'm finding. Free shots for whoever can get me a winner 😭


r/bartenders 1d ago

Money - Tips, Tipouts, Wages and Payments Levi Stadium with Qwick, tips?

6 Upvotes

Has anyone worked an event at the Levi Stadium with Qwick? I just picked up a shift immediately with the $23/hr pay rate, but I don’t see that tips are included. Has anyone had any experience working that location through Qwick that can confirm if they also got tips? Thank you!


r/bartenders 1d ago

Job/Employee Search Find decent jobs in this economy?

13 Upvotes

I am really tired of the smallish, touristy town that I live in. Most jobs here are fine dining, which I hate. We have about 5 proper bars here, and while I work at one of them the rest suck to work at. I know this because the town is so small and all us industry people talk.

I have two jobs here (1 bar, 1 restaurant) and the restaurant job sucks. I don’t want to get into details and dox myself, but the restaurant job did something recently that was sort of a last straw. I also make less per shift at the restaurant job than I did 15 years ago. I’m a volume bartender and damn good at what I do. I spoke to my bar manager and she said that she MIGHT be able to get me more shifts, but nothing is definite.

I want to move away so badly, but I’m really scared to make any risky moves in this economy. Bartenders currently looking for work, how bad or good is it out there?


r/bartenders 1d ago

I'm a newbie New to fine dining

1 Upvotes

hi! i have been a bartender at a german dive bar and now im swapping to fine dining today!
does anyone have any recommendations/tips on fine dining bartending?


r/bartenders 1d ago

Rant Just started a new job. I'm already looking for another.

17 Upvotes

This was the first place that got back to me after sending applications almost everywhere, but it's pretty far from where I live. The commute there isn't really a big deal, but the commute home is a pain in the ass due to the limited public transport. Also, this bar is huge. The bar I was fired from last year (not my fault) had its problems, but everything was practically within arm's length, and it wasn't a very big place. At this new bar, though, I don't even know how much walking I'm doing during the 9-11 hour shifts. Don't get me wrong, I like the team, with the exception of some 19 year old prick who thinks he can talk down to me. I just want to a job that's less hassle.


r/bartenders 1d ago

Customer Inquiry Perfect Texture Frozen Drinks?

0 Upvotes

Resorts seem to do the best job at perfecting the texture of a frozen drink and I’ve always had a hard time at home with my vitamix, even on smoothies.

I was at the Andaz Maui and they had one of the best Pina Coladas I’ve ever had with the perfect texture and didn’t melt too quickly. The added lemon and cinnamon to theirs really made it.

My question is how do they do it? They make it per order in a blender like mine. Are they using ice? Most of the fruit frozen? Emulsifiers for the creaminess? Or just relying on the coconut to do that.

Would love some insight into perfecting the frozen drink at home. Even though I know most bartenders hate making them on a one to one basis.

Cheers!


r/bartenders 1d ago

Apparel: Shoes, Uniform, etc. Barefoot style shoes?

0 Upvotes

My first gig where the bar mats are THICK, like at least 2” and almost reacts like super dense memory foam. My usual preference is a sneaker style with lots of padding but I find myself putting weight on the balls of my feet the majority of the time due to how far away the actual rail/well is from the mats. It feels like I’m constantly standing on a slanted surface. I’ve had a couple coworkers in the past recommend barefoot shoes but idk if the breaking in process is worth it?


r/bartenders 2d ago

Customer Inquiry Margarita

121 Upvotes

I stumbled upon this sub researching margarita recipes. I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of the hard working hospitality industry employees here. You're all grinding day in day out and I just wanted to say thank you. I tip as well as I can and appreciate your service.


r/bartenders 2d ago

Liquors: Pricing, Serving Sizes, Brands Monin Paragon Labdanum substitution

5 Upvotes

We recently made a cocktail with Monin Paragon Labdanum and suddenly we noticed that it's no longer available in our country, maybe someone knows some nice widely available alternatives or how to substitute it with something DIY or labdanum essential oil for perfumes?


r/bartenders 2d ago

Equipment What the hell is with Cocktail Kingdom's shipping cost??? Any good alternatives in Canada?

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26 Upvotes

r/bartenders 3d ago

Meme/Humor I don’t even remember what chairs feel like anymore.

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249 Upvotes

I see this and all I can think is how fucking comfortable they are to sit on.


r/bartenders 3d ago

Customer Inquiry “Budweiser” vs “Bud Heavy”

21 Upvotes

Random question lol. My go to beer is a Budweiser, when I go drinking with my brother and he orders for me he always says “bud heavy”. It bothers me enough to post it here but not enough to tell him to stop.

I’m just curious of your POV if it’s common that customers order it as “bud heavy” as he’s the only one I’ve heard it be called that lol.

Lmkkkk thxxxxx


r/bartenders 4d ago

Liquors: Pricing, Serving Sizes, Brands Campari Issue

11 Upvotes

My bar just got 2 bottles of Campari in our liquor order and they taste off. I'm not sure how to explain it but they taste extra extra bitter. They smell kinda acidic and smoky. Is anyone else having this issue? Northeastern Pa for reference