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What does a bartender server do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Bartender server responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real bartender server resumes:

  • 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.
  • communicate with culinary team regarding meal requirement.
  • Operate computerized cash register and affiliate POS system.
  • Experience in identifying allergies and assisting guest in making suitable substitutions.
  • Exercise communication skills and perfect customer satisfaction daily while performing other side work duties separate from serving and/or bartending.
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Enforce and adhere to policies in accordance to TABC rules and regulations.
  • Enforce TABC laws and follow strict company policies that deal directly with the service of alcohol.
  • Date and store perishables; implement FIFO (first in, first out).
  • Cut, store and ensure product quality of all beverage-relate perishables

Bartender server skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Bartender Servers are proficient in Bartending, POS, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Bartender Servers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Bartending, 15%

    Directed bartending operations, seamless beverage services, inventory management and customer service.

  • POS, 10%

    Operated computerized cash register and affiliated POS system.

  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 9%

    Assisted customers with food selections, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and ensured overall satisfaction with their dining experience.

  • Fine Dining, 7%

    Developed fine dining service skills at an exclusive Italian influenced establishment.

  • Drink Orders, 5%

    Maximize repeat business by providing exceptional customer service and ensuring accuracy within patrons' food and drink orders.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Cash Handling and Inventory Control Developed excellent customer service skills Up selling Developed lasting relationships with customers for repeat business

"bartending," "pos," and "non-alcoholic beverages" are among the most common skills that bartender servers use at work. You can find even more bartender server responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a bartender server to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what bartender servers do because "bartenders must listen carefully to their customers’ orders, explain drink and food items, and make menu recommendations." Additionally, a bartender server resume shows how bartender servers use communication skills: "mix drinks and stock and tend bar provide excellent customer service skills and communication skills"

Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling bartender server duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "by creating a friendly and welcoming environment, bartenders help to ensure repeat business." According to a bartender server resume, here's how bartender servers can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "be professional, have great customer service, handle money, serve and mix drinks, serve food, and clean. "

Physical stamina. This is an important skill for bartender servers to perform their duties. For an example of how bartender server responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "bartenders spend hours walking or standing while preparing drinks and serving customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a bartender server: "serve drinks, serve snacks in pubs, physical stamina , hospitality skills, great personality".

Physical strength. For certain bartender server responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a bartender server rely on this skill, as "bartenders should be able to lift and carry cases of liquor, beer, and other bar supplies that may weigh up to 50 pounds." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what bartender servers do: "gained experience working in a fine dining restaurant and built strength in communicating with my co-workers as well as customers. "

All bartender server skills

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Compare different bartender servers

Bartender server vs. Food runner

Food Runners are responsible for assisting waitstaff on serving customers at a restaurant or similar establishment. Among their duties include maintaining cleanliness in particular areas, setting tables, refilling drinks, assisting customers with everything that they need, and coordinating with the workforce in and out of the kitchen. Furthermore, Food Runners need to ensure that all deliveries are accurate according to what is ordered by a customer. It is essential to stay presentable and helpful at all times as the main priority is customer satisfaction.

If we compare the average bartender server annual salary with that of a food runner, we find that food runners typically earn a $7,055 lower salary than bartender servers make annually.Even though bartender servers and food runners are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require bartending, pos, and fine dining in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a bartender server are more likely to require skills like "non-alcoholic beverages," "new servers," "beverage service," and "serving drinks." On the other hand, a job as a food runner requires skills like "cleanliness," "wine," "culinary," and "food handling." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Food runners really shine in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $26,747. Comparatively, bartender servers tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $30,927.The education levels that food runners earn slightly differ from bartender servers. In particular, food runners are 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a bartender server. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bartender server vs. Server and hostess

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

Server and hostess positions earn lower pay than bartender server roles. They earn a $4,571 lower salary than bartender servers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both bartender servers and server and hostesses have skills such as "bartending," "pos," and "fine dining. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, bartender server responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "non-alcoholic beverages," "beverage service," "serving drinks," and "excellent guest." Meanwhile, a server and hostess has duties that require skills in areas such as "seat guests," "bus tables," "clean tables," and "customer satisfaction." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Server and hostesses may earn a lower salary than bartender servers, but server and hostesses earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $26,585. On the other hand, bartender servers receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,927.server and hostesses earn similar levels of education than bartender servers in general. They're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bartender server vs. Server/barista

A server/barista is someone who makes and serves beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, and sandwiches or baked goods. He/She or she should be able to explain menu items to customers to ensure customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities include knowing food and beverage quality controls and updating displays to attract customers. The core skills that a server/barista should possess include excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to cope up with a physically demanding work environment. A candidate with a high school diploma or equivalent could qualify for the position.

On average, server/baristas earn lower salaries than bartender servers, with a $1,842 difference per year.By looking over several bartender servers and server/baristas resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "bartending," "pos," and "fine dining." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, bartender servers are more likely to have skills like "non-alcoholic beverages," "new servers," "beverage service," and "excellent guest." But a server/barista is more likely to have skills like "cleanliness," "wine," "multitasking," and "presentation standards."

When it comes to education, server/baristas tend to earn similar degree levels compared to bartender servers. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Bartender server vs. Cook/server

Cooks/servers are employees who take on the dual role of being a cook and a server in the restaurant. They are usually trained cooks who are in charge of preparing meals for the guests. They prepare ingredients, cook them according to the recipe, and serve them to guests. They are responsible for ensuring that the food is prepared and served to guests within the promised time. They are in charge of managing the pantry, ensuring that the stock is fresh, and checking whether the stock is low. They are expected to have culinary skills, precision, and time management skills.

Cook/servers average a lower salary than the annual salary of bartender servers. The difference is about $2,875 per year.While both bartender servers and cook/servers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like pos, drink orders, and customer service, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A bartender server uses "bartending," "non-alcoholic beverages," "fine dining," and "beverage orders." Cook/servers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "safety standards," "kitchen equipment," "fryers," and "mathematics. "The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for cook/servers, with average annual pay of $29,014. Comparatively, the highest bartender server annual salary comes from the hospitality industry.In general, cook/servers hold similar degree levels compared to bartender servers. Cook/servers are 1.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of bartender server

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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