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Bartender server vs fine dining server

The differences between bartender servers and fine dining servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a bartender server has an average salary of $32,591, which is higher than the $32,140 average annual salary of a fine dining server.

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

Bartender server vs fine dining server overview

Bartender ServerFine Dining Server
Yearly salary$32,591$32,140
Hourly rate$15.67$15.45
Growth rate18%10%
Number of jobs106,78477,549
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age3428
Years of experience2-

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.

What does a fine dining server do?

Fine dining servers the people who make your stay at a restaurant enjoyable. They deliver well-written orders for the kitchen to prepare and bring your food and beverage. Being a fine dining server is no easy task, as certain skill sets need to be met in order to become an effective dining server. An efficient server is detail-oriented, observant to the needs of the diners, and intuitive. An extensive knowledge of wines and other specific food categories may be required depending on the restaurant.

Bartender server vs fine dining server salary

Bartender servers and fine dining servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Bartender ServerFine Dining Server
Average salary$32,591$32,140
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $46,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityEdmonds, WA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyEarth Fare-
Best paying industryHospitality-

Differences between bartender server and fine dining server education

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

Bartender ServerFine Dining Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender server vs fine dining server demographics

Here are the differences between bartender servers' and fine dining servers' demographics:

Bartender ServerFine Dining Server
Average age3428
Gender ratioMale, 33.8% Female, 66.2%Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.2% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between bartender server and fine dining server duties and responsibilities

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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Fine dining server example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and prioritize workload while managing multiple tasks as a representative of this distinctive establishment frequent by wine enthusiasts.
  • Maintain Microsoft windows base computer system.
  • Work closely with management to implement new organizational systems to facilitate efficient wine service and inventory.
  • Craft featured cocktails and signature drinks when bartending.
  • Inform chefs if guests have any allergies or other requests.
  • Maintain cleanliness of work areas, china, glass, etc., throughout the day.
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Bartender server vs fine dining server skills

Common bartender server skills
  • Bartending, 15%
  • POS, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 9%
  • Fine Dining, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common fine dining server skills
  • Wine, 27%
  • Fine Dining, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Beverage Orders, 4%
  • POS, 4%

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