As someone who has held many jobs in the restaurant industry, Scott Kemeling of Georgia can confidently say that being a bartender is his favorite job besides management. Being a great bartender is no easy feat. People often either rely too heavily on being an encyclopedia of beers and spirits or on learning how to make exotic cocktails that will probably never be ordered. In today’s article, Scott Kemeling will touch on a few ways any bartender can improve their skills and become an invaluable member of their organization.
For starters, Scott Kemeling recommends that any professional bartender focuses on maintaining a positive attitude. It can get hectic behind the bar, and how a bartender reacts to the stress of a busy night will determine their success or failure. Ultimately, bartending is a customer service position. The customer will always be more receptive to a hardworking cheerful bartender than they will be to a bartender who isn’t shy about how much they can’t wait for their shift to be over. A positive attitude can lead to more tips and raise a bartender’s standing in the eyes of management.
No matter where a bartender serves, they are at a place designed to help people escape the worries of the outside world. A bartender’s role is to ensure the customer has a great experience. One area that takes a good bartender and turns them into a great bartender is the ability to serve more than one customer at a time. Bartenders need to have a great short-term memory. Being able to serve more than one customer will keep lines moving and wow the customer. Any time a customer sees that their bartender is going above and beyond to get them their drink, they are likely to tip at a more lucrative rate.
When serving alongside another bartender, Scott Kemeling of Georgia would always keep an ear out for how he could help them prepare their order. For instance, if a bartender is at the fridge that holds a beer that a customer just ordered from another bartender, they should go ahead and hand the bartender that beverage. Creating a team atmosphere behind the bar is one of the best ways to improve overall team morale – and it looks spectacular in the eyes of the customer.
It sounds easy, but it is challenging to mind one’s manners at all times. A bartender who is looking to move up the ladder or just guarantee that they have the best possible job security will always have manners. There’s no benefit associated with rude or cocky behavior in the bartender business. Scott Kemeling of Georgia notes that a bartender will often serve people who can open up opportunities for them in life. You never know when an act of kindness and humility can have a life-changing impact.
One thing Scott Kemeling of Georgia always teaches new bartenders is the importance of cleanliness. A workings station for a bartender can get messy in a hurry. It’s important to prioritize cleaning up any and all tools after a drink is made. A dirty bar is a major red flag to customers and can result in a loss of repeat business.
The best bartenders never stop learning. There are countless reputable books and blogs that are out there to teach bartenders about different cocktails, the subtle differences between other brands of a spirit, and more. The best bartenders are passionate about their craft and look forward to learning about different drinks. They will also keep an ear and an eye out for popular trends. Many different cocktails have experienced a surge in popularity simply because a famous television or movie star orders a particular drink. When a drink is having a moment, it’s always great when a bartender can visit their manager and suggest that the team makes a push to sell more of a particular cocktail. Also, if a restaurant has a signature drink, a bartender should ensure they know every possible detail, so they are never caught off-guard by a customer’s question.
Whether bartending is a part of one’s journey in the restaurant business or a lifelong career, it can be a lucrative endeavor for anyone willing to take the job seriously and put the customer first each and every night.
