Cocktails and Dreams
Toronto, ON
Female, 29
I work as a bartender at one of Toronto’s most popular bars. This is a job for which you always have to be 'on'. You see some crazy things, meet interesting characters, and grow a thick skin very quickly. I love my job.
I love both. I like being able to chat with people and have the slower days. You would go insane if every night were like a Saturday. With that said I love the money and the fast pace of the weekends. I think in any job you need those slower days or else you'll burn out quickly.
Absolutely! I would think that it would be a human rights issue if you didn't hire someone because they were pregnant.
Now a better question is; Can you/should you serve a pregnant woman!?
What do you think?
I had a woman come into the bar, clearly pregnant and order a martini. I was not serving her at the time. My bartender friend made the martini and handed it to her. I was absolutely shocked. My take on being a bartender is having that common sense to tell someone when they shouldn't be drinking. I would not have served her thats for sure however do we have that right to decide for other people? I have no idea.
When I first started out the only drinks I knew by heart were the ones that I drank... which is usually beer (so I had a bit of a rough start). You get to know the most popular drinks pretty quickly. Shots like a polar bear, broken down golf cart, porn star, or liquid cocaine become second nature.... I would say you should know at least 10-15 drinks off hand, or keep you fingers crossed that vodka cranberries are popular that night ;) And if all else fails..... make it up! People are usually too drunk to notice or too busy to come back and complain. FYI - If you're REALLY drunk.... the bartender might just skip out on the alcohol all together!
Never! They really wouldn't be friends if they did that would they? I've found my biggest issue is friends showing up and expecting to get free drinks. When you ask them for money they can get almost offended. I love to help out when I can but sometimes it's just not possible. It is difficult being on a completely different schedule from people with 'real' jobs, but the way I like to look at is that I'm making money while they're spending it and I still get to be social and go out! Best of both worlds? At least that's the thought that sucks you in!
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Absolutely! I find it funny how people think $1 a drink should be standard. If I went up to a bartender and order 5 bottles of beer I would not tip $5. But that's just me. I can't justify tipping $5 for someone to take 10 seconds to crack open beer bottles. I think it should be based partly on the service, the speed, and the amount of time put into making the drink. I personally do not expect to be tipped if I'm a massive jackass to a customer... no matter what drink I make. Too many bartenders these days think they are holier than thou and expect to be tipped no matter what kind of service they provide.
The proper way is a three part pour... but it all depends on how much time I have.
If I have the time to pour a proper guiness I absolutely will. If not then I will pour a two part. I would never do less than that though.
I am a guiness drinker myself and know the difference... and respec that most people who drink guiness will know the difference as well.
Slainte!
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