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Cocktail waitress vs waitstaff

The differences between cocktail waitresses and waitstaffs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cocktail waitress has an average salary of $26,819, which is higher than the $25,104 average annual salary of a waitstaff.

The top three skills for a cocktail waitress include customer service, drink orders and non-alcoholic beverages. The most important skills for a waitstaff are food service, beverage orders, and culinary.

Cocktail waitress vs waitstaff overview

Cocktail WaitressWaitstaff
Yearly salary$26,819$25,104
Hourly rate$12.89$12.07
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs77,429130,467
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age2828
Years of experience--

What does a cocktail waitress do?

A cocktail waitress, or often called a cocktail server, is a female server who serves alcoholic beverages and food to patrons in nightclubs and bars. Cocktail waitresses are required to interact with customers by taking their food orders, serving them food and drinks, and then processing payments. To serve proper alcoholic drinks to customers, cocktail waitresses must be well informed about the drinks they serve, such as wine, beer, and cocktails. They also assist in checking identification to ensure that customers are of legal age to buy alcoholic drinks.

What does a waitstaff do?

The waitstaff takes responsibility for tasks like recommending dishes based on the tastes and preferences of guests, accepting payments, and taking orders. Waitstaff delivers food to tables, ensures outstanding guest experience, and accepts payments. They work with diligence to get outstanding service quality and work with the other staff. It is part of their job to show customers their seats and provide menu options. They attend to tables for food service and guarantee cleanliness standard compliance.

Cocktail waitress vs waitstaff salary

Cocktail waitresses and waitstaffs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cocktail WaitressWaitstaff
Average salary$26,819$25,104
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $36,000Between $19,000 And $32,000
Highest paying City-Falmouth, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between cocktail waitress and waitstaff education

There are a few differences between a cocktail waitress and a waitstaff in terms of educational background:

Cocktail WaitressWaitstaff
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cocktail waitress vs waitstaff demographics

Here are the differences between cocktail waitresses' and waitstaffs' demographics:

Cocktail WaitressWaitstaff
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 5.7% Female, 94.3%Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.4% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cocktail waitress and waitstaff duties and responsibilities

Cocktail waitress example responsibilities.

  • Offer first--class customer service to ensure VIP guests enjoy their club experiences in very fast--pace environment.
  • Relay orders to bar and kitchen quickly and accurately recording guest selections and keying into the POS system.
  • Assist bar tenders in peak hours and cash out customers as they exit the restaurant (POS cash register system).
  • Serve customers alcoholic beverages and accommodate VIP and special requests
  • Establish a positive relationship with co-workers and managers through a solid work ethic, positive attitude, punctuality and dependability.
  • Uphold a high level of professionalism, service, and attentiveness to guests.

Waitstaff example responsibilities.

  • Set up, work in, and manage the private room events as both bartender and waiter.
  • Assist with stocking of pantry when groceries arrive.
  • Cater private events and perform light bartending duties.
  • Increase total restaurant sales by upselling specials and top-shelf liquors.
  • Work regularly on the pass as well as a waiter.
  • Offer meal suggestions base on diverse culinary repertoire and expert food knowledge.
  • Show more

Cocktail waitress vs waitstaff skills

Common cocktail waitress skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Drink Orders, 10%
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Beverage Orders, 5%
  • Bartending, 4%
Common waitstaff skills
  • Food Service, 23%
  • Beverage Orders, 19%
  • Culinary, 19%
  • Team Work, 16%
  • Meal Orders, 8%
  • Wine, 3%

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