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Whether you’re applying for a weekend job or furthering your full-time bartending career, job interviews are stressful. The good news is that you can cut down on at least some of that stress by preparing for your interview.
One of the best ways to do this is by practicing your answers to common interview questions.
You don’t need to prepare for every question you could encounter or have your answers memorized, but thinking through some of them ahead of time and figuring out your main talking points will help more than you might think.
Here are 20 sample questions and answers to help you get started.
Key Takeaways:
Bartender candidates should practice their drink making skills and come up with examples of how they used their customer service skills in their past to help prepare you for the interview.
Interviewers should create common and behavioral interview questions that assess the candidates customer service skills and their drink knowledge.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Tell me about yourself. This is a common interview question often asked at the start of the interview. Your answer should highlight your skills and experience as well as your passion for bartending.
Example Answer:
"I have been working in hospitality for eight years, with majority of that time was spent in high-volume bars and restaurants. During my time as a bartender, I have developed a strong foundation in classic cocktail preparation, utilizing precise measurements, and ensuring consistent quality.
"I take pride in my ability to engage with customers and creating a welcoming atmosphere at the bar. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills, creativity, and dedication to creating exceptional bar experiences and being able to contribute my skills to your company."
Why should we hire you? The interviewer is looking to see how you sell yourself when they ask this question. Your answer should focus on your unique qualifications and skills and how you are the best candidate for the position.
Example Answer:
"You should hire me because I am highly customer-oriented and thrive in providing exceptional service. I genuinely enjoy engaging with customers, understanding their preferences, and making personalized recommendations.
"I am well-versed in responsible alcohol service practices and I have a thorough understanding of local regulations and safety protocols. I believe with a combination of my technical expertise, my customer-focused approach, and my ability to thrive in fast-paced environments make me an excellent candidate for the position."
Where do you see yourself in five years? The interviewer asks this question to get an understanding of what your long-term goals are. They also want to know how their company fits into those goals. Make sure you respond with what your goals and aspirations are and how they relate to your career.
Example Answer:
"My goal for five years is to establish myself as a respected and sought after bartender, known for creating memorable experiences, delivering exceptional service, and contributing to the success and reputation of this establishment. My primary goal is to become a senior bartender or bar manager within this timeframe."
Tell me about your bartending experience. Even though this may seem like a redundant question since interviewers can read about your experience on your resume, they want to hear it from your more personal point of view.
Don’t just tell them which bars you’ve worked at when, but instead talk about what you learned and what made each position unique.
If you don’t have any bartending experience, you can still talk about any similar work experience that helps qualify you for this position.
Example Answer:
“I started working part-time as a bartender when I was in college. I worked at a small, local bar that was popular with students, so I got to be around a lot of people my age. Once I graduated, I started working full-time at an upscale bar downtown that mainly served middle-aged professionals.”
“Over the four years I’ve been working there, I’ve learned the finer aspects of bartending and how to connect with that higher-end crowd.”
What bartending training have you had? Often employers want their bartenders to have some sort of formal training.
If you haven’t had any, be honest, but also talk about what you’ve learned while working. You may also want to mention that you’re willing to go through formal training.
Example Answer:
“I haven’t gone through any formal training, but I’ve learned a wide variety of skills from working at four different bars over the past few years. I would also love to go through some more formal training, though.”
What is your greatest strength? The point of interviewing you is to find out what you bring to the table as a potential hire, so when you’re answering this question, be confident in sharing what you’re good at. You can be honest without being cocky.
Example Answer:
“My greatest strength is my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. My friends say I could make friends with a wall, but I just enjoy getting to know people wherever I happen to be.”
What is your greatest weakness? This isn’t a trick question; interviewers do want to know what you struggle with.
More than that, though, they want to know what steps you’re taking to overcome those weaknesses, so make sure you include those in your answer as well.
Example Answer:
“I tend to be too task-oriented, so I often miss out on opportunities to connect with customers. Because of that, I make it a goal to have at least two conversations with customers during each shift, to genuinely ask every customer how their day is going, and to answer with more than a simple ‘good,’ when they return the question”
“Since I’ve started doing this, I’ve found that I’ve built many more personal relationships with regulars than I have in the past. It’s also become more of a habit to engage with customers than it is a goal.”
What do you like best about bartending? Your potential employer wants to hire someone passionate about what they do because it means they’ll likely stick around longer, do better work, and be a more valuable addition to the organization.
Example Answer:
“I love that I get to pair two of my strengths, creativity, and relationship-building, in this work. I enjoy making new drinks, coming up with new ideas to improve the bar, and talking with everyone who comes in. I still keep in touch with some of the regular patrons from my past jobs.”
Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it? No one expects you to never make a mistake. They do expect you to own up to it and work to fix it when you do, though. Talk about a time you messed up and be sure to mention what you’re doing to prevent it from happening again.
Example Answer:
“At my first job, I accidentally put bourbon in a drink instead of rum. I realized it after I had already given it to the customer, so I approached him with a correctly made drink and explained what I had done. I apologized and gave him the new one, and then I told my manager to take the price of the drink out of my pay.”
“The customer was pleased with our customer service, and now I double-check every label before I pour anything. I haven’t made that mistake since.”
If you have a customer who has had too much to drink, how would you cut them off? This is a skill that bartenders need to have, and while there may not be one right answer, hiring managers want to know that you do have an effective, professional plan in place.
Example Answer:
“I would first talk to the customer’s friends about it to see if they’re willing to cut them off. Often they are, but if not, then I would keep serving the customer water but stop checking if they wanted another drink as often.”
“If they continued to get worse or kept asking for more drinks, I would firmly but politely tell them that I think they’ve had enough and that I can’t serve them anymore.”
If you believe a customer is underage and using a fake I.D., what would you do? This is another skill that companies require their bartenders to have, so make sure you’re prepared to answer this question in an interview.
You might also want to follow up and ask what the bar’s protocols are for this issue.
Example Answer:
“If I had any suspicion that the customer was too young and using a fake I.D., I’d talk to my manager and follow any other bar protocols from there.”
Tell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy customer. Customer service skills are vital to good bartending, so interviewers are going to want to hear an example of when you put yours to work.
When you answer, talk about the situation surrounding the problem, your response, and the results of your actions.
Example Answer:
“At my last job, I had a customer tell me that her drink wasn’t strong enough. Even though I knew it was reasonably strong, I apologized to her and politely asked if she’d like to order another one and have it made a different way.”
“She was still frustrated and wanted me to comp the drink, so I told my manager what was happening. He offered the lady a coupon for her next drink, and she accepted. She even came back the next evening with a friend.”
Some nights are busier than others. How would you stay busy during a slow night? Your potential employer wants to know that you’ll be productive on your shift whether you have customers or not.
If you have examples of how you’ve handled slumps in the past, share those. Otherwise, talk about what you would do in a hypothetical situation.
Example Answer:
“I would work to make sure the bar is as clean, well-stocked, and organized as possible. After that, I’d look around the dining room and bathrooms to make sure everything there is clean and stocked, and then I would ask my manager if there is anything else I could do.”
If a customer were to ask you for a dessert drink recommendation, what would you tell them? This is an example of a technical question you might need to answer during an interview, so make sure you’ve brushed up on your answers to questions like these before your meeting.
Example Answer:
“I’d recommend a dulce de tequila if they aren’t looking for anything too sweet, a salted caramel martini as a heavier option, and a peach cobbler if they’re looking for something fruit-based. If they still don’t know what they want, I’d recommend a classic Alexander.”
Tell me how you fulfill multiple customer demands at once while still providing timely service. As a bartender, you need to be able to continue to give great service even when you’re swamped. When you answer, talk about the practical steps you take to accomplish this.
Example Answer:
“If I have a lot of drink orders at once, while still prioritizing the earlier orders, I’ll group as many similar drinks as possible to make the mixing process go more quickly. If I have to refill ingredients or get customer checks as well as make drinks, I’ll ask a coworker to help me out and then return the favor.”
How do you build relationships with customers? Bars rely on repeat customers, and the best way to get those is by building relationships with them.
Because of this, interviewers will want to see how you go about establishing connections with your patrons. If you can, provide examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Example Answer:
“I’ve found that simply looking a customer in the eye, treating them like I’ve got nowhere else to be, and remembering their name goes a long way in building a relationship. If I have time I chat with them, but I at least genuinely ask how they are when I take their order.”
Why do you want to work here? Hiring managers want employees who are invested in the organization and not just in getting a job.
Prepare for this question by researching what makes this particular bar unique. Look up the organization’s values, mission, and vision, and consider how they align with your values and goals.
Example Answer:
“I love that two of your company values are excellence and relationships, and I’ve heard from friends of mine who have worked here in the past that you truly do carry them out. I’d love to be a part of helping you continue to do that.”
What sets you apart from other candidates? Remember, discovering the answer to this question is the whole goal of the interview, so make sure you’re prepared to talk about what makes you unique and how those experiences or traits will benefit your potential employer.
Example Answer:
“I’ve worked in several bars across the country, which has given me good experience interacting with a wide variety of people and serving a plethora of local drinks. Since your bar attracts a lot of tourists, I believe that I could put that experience to use making it even more successful.”
How do you handle multiple drink orders simultaneously without compromising quality and efficiency? As a bartender, you may get multiple drink orders at once. The interviewer wants to make sure you are able to handle this type of situation and what you do to handle it.
Example Answer:
"I start by prioritizing and organizing the drink orders by their complexity and preparation time. I utilize my knowledge of recipes and ingredients to help streamline this process. I also think that effective communication and collaboration with the serving staff is a crucial step in managing multiple drink orders."
Can you explain the concept of "free pouring" and how you ensure accurate measurements for each ingredient? Your answer should demonstrate your understanding of free pouring and your commitment to maintaining accurate measurements.
Example Answer:
"Free pouring is a technique used by bartenders to pour liquor or other ingredients into a cocktail without using measuring tools like a measuring cup or jigger. This method relies on the bartenders ability to estimate and pour the desired amount accurately. While this method speed and efficiency, it requires skills, experience, and attention to detail to ensure accurate measurements.
"To ensure accuracy while free pouring, I have done extensive practice to ensure an accurate pour. I rely on visual cues to gauge the amount that is being poured. I pay attention to the level of liquid in the class which allows me to adjust to the desired measurement.
"Muscle memory is also a big help when it comes to free pouring. Another thing that helps me is being familiar with recipe's and understanding their ingredient ratios."
Can you explain the basic steps of mixing a classic cocktail like a Martini or Old Fashioned?
How do you properly shake and strain a cocktail? What are the different types of shaking techniques you use?
What is the correct way to muddle ingredients in a cocktail? How does it enhance the flavor?
Describe the process of creating a balanced cocktail. How do you ensure that the flavors are well-combined?
What are some techniques you use to garnish and present cocktails in an appealing manner?
How do you handle customers who are intoxicated or disruptive? What strategies do you employ to maintain a safe and comfortable environment?
Have you worked with any specialized bar equipment? Can you explain how to use them and their purpose?
How do you manage inventory and ensure that the bar is well-stocked? What techniques do you use to minimize waste and maximize profitability?
Can you explain the process of creating a layered cocktail and provide an example of one?
How do you properly garnish a cocktail and why is it important for presentation and flavor?
As a Candidate:
Highlight your customer service skills. Customer service is an important part of being a bartender. Make sure you come up with examples of how you used your customer service skills as well as how you practice effective communication and maintain a welcoming and friendly demeanor.
Practice drink preparation. Practice making different cocktails in preparation for your interview. Focus on techniques such as shaking, stirring, muddling, and layering. Practicing not only will improve your skills but allow you to be knowledge about different methods and techniques.
Review common questions. Review common interview questions as well as bartender behavioral interview questions to help you prepare for the interview. Going over these types of questions will help you be more confident and prepared in your answers.
As an Interviewer:
Create a list of questions. Creating a list of common and behavioral interview questions will help you evaluate the candidate during the interview. Make sure the questions relate back to the position and what is required to fill the position.
Assess customer service skills. Customer service is an important part of being a bartender so make sure that you evaluate and assess their skills. Ask them questions relating to customer service such as dealing with difficult customers or providing recommendations.
Ask about beverage knowledge. Make sure you ask questions relating their beverage and drink making knowledge. This will help you get an understanding of their knowledge and experience in the field.