A bartender (also known as a barkeep, barman, barmaid, bar chef, tapster, mixologist, alcohol

server, cocktologist, flairman or an alcohol chef) is a person who formulates and serves alcoholic or soft

drink beverages behind the bar, usually in a licensed establishment. Bartenders also usually maintain the

supplies and inventory for the bar. A bartender can generally mix classic cocktails such as

a Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Mojito.

Bartenders are also usually responsible for confirming that customers meet the legal drinking

age requirements before serving them alcoholic beverages. In certain countries, such as Canada,

the United Kingdom, and Sweden, bartenders are legally required to refuse more alcohol to drunk

customers.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, bar work is often not regarded as a long-term profession (unless the bartender is

also the landlord), but more often as a second occupation, or transitional work for students to gain

customer experience or to save money for university fees. As such, it lacks traditional employment

protections and therefore has a high turnover. The high turnover of staff due to low wages and poor

employee benefits results in a shortage of skilled bartenders. Whereas a career bartender would know

drink recipes, serving techniques, alcohol contents, correct gas mixes and licensing law and would often

have cordial relations with regular customers, short-term staff may lack these skills. Some pubs prefer

experienced staff, although pub chains tend to accept inexperienced staff and provide training.

Tipping bartenders in the United Kingdom is uncommon, not considered mandatory but is greatly

appreciated by the bartender. The appropriate way to tip a bartender in the UK is to say 'have one for
yourself', encouraging the bartender to buy themselves a drink with one's money, where a bartender may

instead opt to add a modest amount to a bill to take in cash at the end of their shift.

United States

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data on occupations in the United States, including that of bartender,

publishes a detailed description of the bartender's typical duties[8] and employment and earning statistics

by those so employed, with 55% of a bartender's take-home pay coming in the form of tips.[9][10] The

hourly wage a bartender receives can vary depending on the state. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act

(FLSA), and the laws of most states, allow employers a tip credit, which counts employees tips toward

minimum wage. As of January 1, 2019, the federal minimum wage rate is $7.25/hour. [11]

Bartenders in the United States may work in a large variety of bars. These include hotel bars, restaurant

bars, sports bars, gay bars, piano bars, and dive bars.[12][13] Also growing in popularity is the portable bar,

which can be moved to different venues and special events.

Bartenders may attend special schools or learn while on the job.[14] Bartenders in the United States

usually have on-the-job training, from the owners, management, or other superior stuff with experience.

Prospective bartenders may gain experience by working as wait staff in a restaurant with a bar. Some

vocational schools offer bartenders licenses. Some US states require a bartenders license or a health

certificate issued from the state.[citation needed]

Most pubs and bars seek to recruit outgoing, personable individuals as bartenders. All bartenders must

comply with all food and beverage regulations, in the United States. All bartenders in the United States

should be knowledgeable in mixing, garnishing, and serving drinks with a positive attitude and excellent

communication skills. The competition for jobs is high in this field of work.