Server/barista vs cocktail server

The differences between server/baristas and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server/barista has an average salary of $30,749, which is higher than the $26,178 average annual salary of a cocktail server.

The top three skills for a server/barista include cleanliness, wine and customer service. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.

Server/barista vs cocktail server overview

	Server/Barista	Cocktail Server
Yearly salary	$30,749	$26,178
Hourly rate	$14.78	$12.59
Growth rate	14%	10%
Number of jobs	173,073	74,674
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	23	28
Years of experience	-	-

What does a server/barista do?

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.

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.

Server/barista vs cocktail server salary

Server/baristas and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Server/Barista	Cocktail Server
Average salary	$30,749	$26,178
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $40,000	Between $16,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Aspen Snowmass
Best paying industry	-	Media

Differences between server/barista and cocktail server education

There are a few differences between a server/barista and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:

	Server/Barista	Cocktail Server
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Psychology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Server/barista vs cocktail server demographics

Here are the differences between server/baristas' and cocktail servers' demographics:

	Server/Barista	Cocktail Server
Average age	23	28
Gender ratio	Male, 28.2% Female, 71.8%	Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between server/barista and cocktail server duties and responsibilities

Server/barista example responsibilities.

Open and close the cafe, work a POS system, manage inventory, stock the cafe.
Practice organization and cleanliness while managing individual tasks.
Greet and seat customer, take orders through POS system, and deliver food and drinks to customers.
Cash handling experience, maintain cleanliness of restaurant, ensure customer satisfaction through superior customer interaction.
Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality as well as trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectfully encouraging coaching
Maintain an organize and time sensitive backroom with various perishables.

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.

Server/barista vs cocktail server skills

Common server/barista skills

Cleanliness, 24%
Wine, 17%
Customer Service, 11%
Multitasking, 10%
Presentation Standards, 9%
POS, 4%

Common cocktail server skills

Wine, 13%
Cash Handling, 7%
Beverage Orders, 6%
Cleanliness, 6%
Guest Satisfaction, 6%
Customer Service, 5%

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Server/Barista vs Cocktail Server

Updated January 8, 2025

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