Mixology
A bartender or mixologist is responsible for set-up, mixing of drinks, service and clean-up of bar area. Filling drink orders either taken directly from patrons at the bar or through waiters who place drink orders for room customers is the main task of a bartender.
Young Pose meets Winson Lau, who works as a bartender in a bar located in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Requirements
Exposure to high volume bar and upscale environment is preferred. You need to stand for several hours a day.
Great manners are required. Lau says a great attitude and good manners are essential to serve the customers, since you will be dealing with them during the entire course of your work day.
A bartender often deals with drunken customers and you need to be patient, understanding that they are intoxicated and would otherwise not act like that.
Do you have a great sense of humor? People visit the bar because they want to unwind and have a good time. Therefore, if you have a great sense of humor and can joke with your customers, they are likely to tip you more and have a great time. If you are really good, they will frequent the bar you work at and ask for you specifically!
Of course, a keen interest in molecular, fusion and culinary cocktail creation is crucial.
Qualifications
You must know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to mix drinks accurately, quickly and without waste.
You must have knowledge and comply with all alcohol related laws and controls.
Certification of bartending schools is advisable.
A day at work
Bartenders check the identification of customers to ensure that they meet the minimum age requirements for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products.
They prepare mixed drinks, serve bottled or draught beer, and pour wine or other beverages. Besides mixing and serving drinks, they stock and prepare garnishes for drinks; maintain an adequate supply of ice, glasses and other bar supplies and keep the bar area clean.
Bartenders may also collect payments, operate the cash register, wash glassware and utensils, and serve food to customers.
Lau says most of a bartender’s work must be done by hand. You must work quickly to handle a large volume of drink orders and be familiar with the ingredients of special drink requests.