Bartending Tips, Tricks & Techniques That You Should Know

To be a successful bartender, you need both savvy and charisma, along with extensive knowledge of drinks. It's one of those jobs where your success depends on your personal skills as much as your bartending ability.

Simple things like smiling and saying hello when a customer sits down and thanking them for their business when they leave can make a huge impact.

Among other things, you need to produce a mixed drink, be the server, an organizer, a cashier, a friend, a psychiatrist, and a bit of a neat freak.

If you are aspiring to be the best, a professional bartender in town, or maybe you want to upgrade your bartending skills then these are tips that you should know.

Become An Expert At Creating Cocktails

People in a bar are often seeking advice from you. As a professional bartender, It is important to know the menu well at your bar. Be aware of what spirits and other ingredients go into each drink.

But remember, people may often order drinks that aren't on your menu, and having a broad understanding of some popular drinks is important.

Study the classics and master them. Your customers will appreciate you for knowing so much and will tip you well. Here are other ways to be an expert at your skill

Be Smart with Signature Cocktails

• One of the best bartender tricks (seasoned bartenders approve of this tip) is to prepare large batches ahead of time. 
• If you're making cocktail recipes that require soda or anything carbonated (like cola), add it at the last minute. Add a garnish too!
• The trick is to have ingredients ready to mix into signature cocktails or classic cocktail by hand for customers seated right at the bar. Remember to not serve them by pouring their cocktail straight from the pitcher! 
• Always be presentable. If you're serving sangria or rum punch, you don't need to worry about pouring them from a pitcher.

Remember to Measure!

Measuring is for bartending professionals. Not just beginners and amateurs. And now that bar point-of-sale (POS) systems can track every last drop that‘s poured from your bar — measuring only keeps things even further in line.

• Utilizing a set of jiggers and a spoon! Measuring each drink will help you save money by reducing unnecessary liquor costs and liquor wastage. It’s great for your bar and for the environment.
• Want to learn more about jiggers? Check out this article!
• This is a testament to how committed you are to providing a perfect drink, and not just some glass of liquor poured with the care of a ballpark soda.
• Once guests see how well measured liquor comes together in their favorite recipes, it will be a hit!

➡ Shop all Jiggers

Think Outside the Shaker

A perfectly crafted cocktail doesn't just appeal to the taste buds, but to the eyes too. Here are simple ways to up your drink presentation game:

• Mixing any mixed drinks with lemonades and iced teas? These can be more visually appealing when served in a Mason jar.
• Pour beer into a chilled mug to keep it cold. It takes little effort, but people think it’s an added bonus if they see it on a menu.
• If you are serving tropical drinks at a bar, don't just pour it into a regular pint glass, try pouring it into a hollowed coconut shell and adding a colorful umbrella for decoration. You can add a flair to any drink by thinking creatively.

Be Friendly and Keep Guests Happy

An experienced bartender always keeps guests in mind. Remember that a Bartending job is within the service industry. Be friendly and show your charisma! Here are some tips to keep your customers happy.

• If the bar is crowded, make the wait less tiring for guests by acknowledging everyone who comes into the bar. It could be a nod or a big smile.
• You can do this by looking up at each customer and making eye contact with them so they know you're going to be attending to them soon. Thank people who've been patient when they're waiting.
• Then, try to go out of your way to make them feel special in your next encounter
• Every bartender needs to remember that they're working in the hospitality industry. You need to maintain a good attitude no matter how bad things are going for you and treat every customer the exact same way.
• Call Guests by their names. Did a patron hand their credit card to open a tab? Call them by their first name when thanking them. A study showed that when hearing someone say your name, the part of your brain associated with reward and pleasur­e is activated. This leads to higher sales.

Keep your Bar Organized

Keep Everything Clean

Cleaning up after yourself can be a good thing. It can improve your patrons' experience by making them feel more comfortable. This also lets you tend the bar easier and who doesn't want that?

• Organize your liquor bottles into different categories like sparkling water, white wines, red wines, beers/lagers and mixers, and specialty drinks according to your cocktail menu. This way it will help you to know which bottle you need for certain recipes and pour drinks for customers.
• Put your equipment and tools in order so they're easy to use. Avoid scrambling for your cocktail shaker or cocktail bitters, Once you know where everything is, you'll be able to navigate through your shift smoothly.
• Clean bar towels are useful for wiping down the bar top whenever you see water or spills on it.
• As soon as you see an empty glass, straw wrapper, napkin, or other garbage, dispose of it immediately.
• Replace cocktail napkins frequently.

Always Be Two Steps Ahead

As a bartender, it's important to know everything in your bar and to be ready for anything. Keeping a physical or mental checklist of the following is also helpful.

• Make sure the glasses are clean and the beer restocked.
• Keep the keg or ice bin from getting low
• Also, observe the drinks at the bar. If you notice that a drink is almost empty, ask if the customer would like another.
• If you anticipate the need for the bar, everything will be easy.

Be prepared for busy nights

When the bar is slow, pretend it’s busy so you can practice how to serve faster. This is to prepare you when the bar is slammed, so then you would feel ready for the action.

• Find a rhythm that is similar to physical training or running a drill.
• Learn the best-selling and popular drinks to be more efficient.
• Train your memory! You should be able to store multiple drinks orders and associate them with parties, so they go out simultaneously.
• Keep a good supply of drinks in your memory banks, too.
• Start by learning the most popular restaurants in your area, then add new ones when you feel ready.

Be a Successful a Bartender

With this guide on becoming a great bartender, you’re ready to start serving up amazing drinks. With a few basic ingredients and a few simple tips and tricks, your drinks can be better than anything you've ever made before.

We provide  bartending supplies and cocktail-making tools for professional and home bartenders. Get in touch, and we'll help you get all the restaurant equipment you need to run your business!