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Cocktail server vs fine dining server

The differences between cocktail servers and fine dining servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fine dining server has an average salary of $32,140, which is higher than the $26,178 average annual salary of a cocktail server.

The top three skills for a cocktail server include wine, cash handling and beverage orders. The most important skills for a fine dining server are wine, fine dining, and cleanliness.

Cocktail server vs fine dining server overview

Cocktail ServerFine Dining Server
Yearly salary$26,178$32,140
Hourly rate$12.59$15.45
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs74,67477,549
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

What does a cocktail server do?

A cocktail server's responsibilities revolve around taking orders and serving drinks in a restaurant or similar establishment, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. Aside from this, a cocktail server may have to process payments, clean tables, and even offer suggestions when necessary. They also have to be alert for any signs of disruptive behavior from intoxicated to underage customers. Furthermore, it is essential to communicate and coordinate with the bartender and other kitchen staff to ensure that every patron gets their order, especially on days when there's a high customer presence.

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.

Cocktail server vs fine dining server salary

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

Cocktail ServerFine Dining Server
Average salary$26,178$32,140
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $42,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyAspen Snowmass-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between cocktail server and fine dining server education

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

Cocktail ServerFine Dining Server
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cocktail server vs fine dining server demographics

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

Cocktail ServerFine Dining Server
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 13.0% Female, 87.0%Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between cocktail server and fine dining server duties and responsibilities

Cocktail server example responsibilities.

  • Ensure club cleanliness and provide amazing customer service to every individual.
  • Experience handling money and using a cash register, as well as the micros systems.
  • Take customers' orders and input into POS, run food, bus tables, help other servers as needed.
  • Provide a fun, safe and friendly atmosphere for customers, while providing excellent service serving cocktails, wine and beer.
  • Greet guests, take orders, correctly enter food and beverages into POS terminal, and ensure efficient delivery of both.
  • Fluctuate between all shifts and floors, assist in bartending, and becoming a top selling server within a few months.
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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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Cocktail server vs fine dining server skills

Common cocktail server skills
  • Wine, 13%
  • Cash Handling, 7%
  • Beverage Orders, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 6%
  • 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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