Before we dive into all the details of how to become a bartender, I have to ask you, Mr./Ms. aspiring bartender, how did you happen to arrive here?
And I don’t mean to this site or this article? I mean, what has been going through your head in the past few days or weeks which has led you to a decision that bartending might be the life for you?
Sorry to pry, but I like walking down a path together, holding hands (don’t worry, mine are soft and sexy).
For those of you who don’t know me, I am Dave Allred, TheRealBarman. For the past 6 years I have had the #1 book on Amazon on how to become a bartender. You can check it out HERE if you’re interested.
Since then I have created a master course to the book with 40 videos and 101 lessons, called TheRealBarcourse which is selling out every session. You can learn more about that HERE.
But back to why you’re here…
So what I want to know about you is, how did you get here?
Are you completely green and new onto the scene? That’s fine. All of us were at one point.
Are you fed up with making minimum wage and finally want a job that actually makes money?
I spent 3 years woking retail for minimum wage.
In a used CD store.
That sold bongs and adult paraphernalia in the back.
Blech!
Or are you simply a young go-getter who is entering the real job world and wants a job that actually makes money? Good for you!
Or maybe you just want a part time job, but one that actually makes money (Anyone sensing a pattern here?).
Whatever the case may be, I want to know, because this could be a life-changing moment for you and I want to be there cheering you on…
…while holding one of those giant #1 fingers in my left hand and a glass of Whistle Pig Rye swirling in my right hand.
So here it is, you want to know how to become a bartender?
Good, take your A.D.D. hat off and pay attention for a quick second.
The most important step to becoming a bartender is making a plan beyond just learning a few skills.
What does that mean exactly? It means that becoming a bartender is more than just shaking up martinis and jiggling your ass.
It’s means it’s more than just the skills they teach in 98% of bartending schools. What they are teaching will not help you land the job.
Becoming a bartender is a simple step-by-step process, but it takes discipline and a take-no-shit mindset to see it through to the end, and every single student of mine that has stuck to the plan and saw it through, got the job. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
So what does that include? It’s different than every other video, blog post or bartending school you’ll find on the Internet or elsewhere. Here’s the premise:
- Learn the skills
- Memorize some drinks
- Create an awesome cover letter and resume
- Set Goals
- Make a plan
- Take action to follow the plan
- Don’t quit the plan until the goal is reached
Sure, there’s a bunch of details in between all that, but that’s what it takes. It involves mindset over just memorizing 500 drink recipes, which is what all other schools and courses fail to address.
It’s why YOU will be getting the job while the traditional bartending school graduate is telling the hiring manager how he knows what goes in a 3-Dollar Hooker Shot because he memorized 2,000 drinks that he’ll never make.
You need to know that. Just memorizing drinks is NOT the core lesson you need in order to become a bartender.
Bartending schools that brag about their 2,000 CD rom of drink recipes are offering are selling you something you don’t need. Like sand, in a desert.
The skills and knowledge are important, but only one cog in the machine. You need to be firing on all cylinders or you’re not going to break into this scene.
So here’s the deal: in order for you to become a rock star bartender, you need to have a rock star mindset. You need to draw your line in the sand, create some chaos and get excited.
You need to get excited. Feeding frenzies need blood and if the water is calm and clear, nothing substantial is going to happen. You need to dive in and wrestle with some sharks.
So get big. And I mean BIG. Big in mind. Big in heart. Big like King Kong. On steroids. And crack. And heroin. And Steroids laced with heroin. And crack.
Got it? Good.
With that said, if you want glimpse into what I do, CLICK HERE to check out TheRealBarcourse, which is unlike any school or online course you’ll find.
And when you order the course it’s delivered directly to your doorstep, with a small kitten included.
Ok, just kidding. The course isn’t delivered to your doorstep. This is the 21st century. You have to download your kitten.
And if you want to find your path somewhere else, I’m fine with that too. I’m just here to help.
Best of luck to you, and I hope to see you on the other side.
Cheers,
Dave, The RB