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Bartender server vs lead server

The differences between bartender servers and lead 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 $28,677 average annual salary of a lead server.

The top three skills for a bartender server include bartending, POS and non-alcoholic beverages. The most important skills for a lead server are customer service, new servers, and fine dining.

Bartender server vs lead server overview

Bartender ServerLead Server
Yearly salary$32,591$28,677
Hourly rate$15.67$13.79
Growth rate18%10%
Number of jobs106,784123,215
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 lead server do?

A lead server is responsible for assisting the guests' needs, responding to their inquiries, and immediately addressing their dining concerns. Lead servers ensure the timely and accurate serving of orders, offering promotional menus and other additional services. Lead servers must have excellent communication skills to interact with the guests, as well as time-management and multitasking skills to perform duties in the fast-paced environment. They also help in developing strategic procedures and food menu recommendations by researching on the latest food trends in the industry to generate revenues and attract more customers.

Bartender server vs lead server salary

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

Bartender ServerLead Server
Average salary$32,591$28,677
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $46,000Between $11,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityEdmonds, WANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyEarth FareMicrosoft
Best paying industryHospitalityHospitality

Differences between bartender server and lead server education

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

Bartender ServerLead Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Bartender server vs lead server demographics

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

Bartender ServerLead Server
Average age3428
Gender ratioMale, 33.8% Female, 66.2%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between bartender server and lead 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.
  • Show more

Lead server example responsibilities.

  • Establish payroll policies and manage multiple areas of restaurant operations.
  • Manage technical support, business analysis, project management, application development and support, training, and facilitation.
  • Provide leadership to crew and shift managers guaranteeing great quality, customer service and cleanliness according to the public health code.
  • Train new employees on police, procedures, and micros system.
  • Take orders from customers, input orders into micros, and obtain payment and provide change.
  • Execute bartending duties and prepare service bar drinks (wine tasting flights, glass pours, cocktails, etc . )
  • Show more

Bartender server vs lead server skills

Common bartender server skills
  • Bartending, 15%
  • POS, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 9%
  • Fine Dining, 7%
  • Drink Orders, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common lead server skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • New Servers, 11%
  • Fine Dining, 9%
  • POS, 7%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 4%

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