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Bartender vs bartender server

The differences between bartenders and bartender servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a bartender and a bartender server. Additionally, a bartender server has an average salary of $32,591, which is higher than the $26,362 average annual salary of a bartender.

The top three skills for a bartender include wine, bartending and exceptional guest. The most important skills for a bartender server are bartending, POS, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Bartender vs bartender server overview

BartenderBartender Server
Yearly salary$26,362$32,591
Hourly rate$12.67$15.67
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs57,518106,784
Job satisfaction4.67-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age3434
Years of experience22

What does a bartender do?

A bartender is an expert in mixing and serving alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, either directly to customers at the bar or through waitstaff who place drink orders for dine-in or room customers. Bartenders should have a wide range of knowledge of drink recipes and be able to assess customers' needs and preferences to make recommendations. They should mix drinks accurately, quickly, and without waste. They are also responsible for checking the customers' identification to ensure they are of legal drinking age and monitor the level of their intoxication.

What does a bartender server do?

Bartender servers are employees who work in the restaurant's bar area. They are responsible for assembling customers' drink orders and serving these to customers. They should be sound drink mixers and must be familiar with cocktail combinations and other mixes. They should also know the ingredients of the restaurant's drinks and should be able to use alternatives should specific components be unavailable. Some bartender servers engage in flairtending, a way of mixing drinks that entertains the guests waiting for their drinks.

Bartender vs bartender server salary

Bartenders and bartender servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

BartenderBartender Server
Average salary$26,362$32,591
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAEdmonds, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyOTTOEarth Fare
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between bartender and bartender server education

There are a few differences between a bartender and a bartender server in terms of educational background:

BartenderBartender Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender vs bartender server demographics

Here are the differences between bartenders' and bartender servers' demographics:

BartenderBartender Server
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 39.7% Female, 60.3%Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 3.7% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bartender and bartender server duties and responsibilities

Bartender example responsibilities.

  • Train and manage all new bartenders achieving significant results in their productivity and knowledge.
  • Manage bar and staff, tend bar, DJ and operate karaoke equipment.
  • Manage and promote company Facebook account.
  • Provide seamless beverage service, managing inventory and operating POS terminal.
  • Manage payroll and timekeeping including completion of proper paperwork for new hires and terminations.
  • Direct bartending operations, overseeing beverage service, scheduling, inventory management and customer service.
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Bartender server example responsibilities.

  • Use micros, handle money, give change, manage bar cost, keep good customer relations to gain repeat business.
  • Direct bartending operations, seamless beverage services, inventory management and customer service.
  • Provide efficient hands-on food and beverage delivery while successfully upselling food and beverage orders.
  • Optimize bar revenue by upselling drinks and facilitating repeat business by cultivating relationships to encourage repeat patronage.
  • Fast pace serving customers, bartender on occasion, put orders in micros and get people their checks in a timely matter
  • Experience utilizing POS system quickly and accurately.
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Bartender vs bartender server skills

Common bartender skills
  • Wine, 23%
  • Bartending, 10%
  • Exceptional Guest, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 5%
  • Cash Handling, 4%
Common bartender server skills
  • Bartending, 15%
  • POS, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 9%
  • Fine Dining, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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