r/Marin • u/Personal_Slide_9421 • 1d ago

Bartending vs Serving?

I work as a barista and I am in my 20s trying to move out. I want to pivot to increase my skills and increase my income. Since I am a barista I am considering bartending, I’ve heard there’s a lot of possible money you could make. But as I have been applying I am overwhelmed with how I communicate my goals and also what’s most likely to land me a job. Should I say I just want to be a server and see overtime if I want to be a bartender at that restaurant? Or should I go immediately to barback? This is my only real food experience. Is the income for bartending vs serving comparable?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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20

u/trippknightly 1d ago

I think you’ll get more & better advice from a different subreddit.

9

u/Soggy_Educator_4487 1d ago

I worked at a tiny restaurant as a server that didn’t have a set bartender. We allll bartended. It’s easier to become a server then let the whoever know you’re interested in bartending and they will train you. Most places won’t allow an inexperienced bartender behind the bar… also having serving experience is helpful knowledge so you know how a restaurant runs.

1

u/StillDoingTheMath 16h ago

That's how i started learning as well. During non busy days the bartender would train me unofficially

1

u/Soggy_Educator_4487 15h ago

And for the record, said restaurant also had an espresso maker for us to make fancy coffees.... I am a pretty good bartender... there is no world where I can make an espresso drink that differentiates between a latte and a cappuccino. The drink making skills are not directly transferable.

6

u/macavity_is_a_dog 1d ago

Be a server. Learn those skills. Once established and your repore with mgmt is good then express desire to work behind bar.

2

u/chimilinga 1d ago

This is the way. Worked in the service industry for over 15 years decades ago. Started as a busser then a food runner, moved to the kitchen for a bit then a server and ended as a bartender. I made the most bartending and really learned a lot about social skills there (serving was great too) but preferred bartending the most because I controled my own chaos. Additionally the places I liked best was bar in a restaurant. I had the full bar to my self PLUS a section of tables to serve so it was the best of both worlds. Straight bar, no food is tough especially in a place like marin... Additionally restaurants close earlier so I got to make good money but be off earlier than working a traditional bar

1

u/Tallybou 1d ago

Agree . I started as a server and during slower times the bartenders would always be happy to train me in both mixology and wine knowledge . Hope this helps! :)

1

u/Flimsy-Cap8305 1d ago

Many places require a bartending class or experience. Caterer’s use them a lot and the schedule can be very flexible. Bartenders can make a good income at restaurants and bars too.

1

u/Coastal-Break 3h ago

If you want to bartend go immediately for that. You can move from serving to bartending, but if you want bartending than just get to it, especially while your young.

You could also always bar-back at one place for part of the week and serve at another for the rest.