Being a bartender can be a very exciting and somewhat liberating thing, but it can also entail a lot of things that you were not prepared for. Being a bartender is so much more than just mixing drinks and deciding which cocktail shaker to use for each one. It is even more than figuring out the perfect amount of Worcestershire sauce and pepper to use in a Bloody Mary.

The job and scope of a bartender is very large and it has many different facets to it. When you are a bartender, it requires you to interact with people, customers, on a regular basis. Bartenders need to have only the best people skills and can not settle for anything less. Typically, bartenders should have a very engaging personality, a put together appearance, stellar memory, the ability to be quick and efficient with tasks, and a solid working knowledge of beer, wine, liquor and various mixed drinks.

If you are someone who has worked at the same bar for a long time, then you are most likely very comfortable and knowledgeable with your surroundings. However, if you have moved to a new location recently or have gotten a brand new bartending job then you may be feeling a little lost. One good thing to do to familiarize yourself with everything is to just walk around and open up all of the cabinets and coolers. This is a great way to see where different things are stored and kept. This will allow you to know where to look in the future if you run out of something or if anyone asks you for something new.

The most important thing for a bartender at a new place is to be completely familiar with everything. You even want to take the time to find out where the restrooms are located, what kinds of beers are served, what the policies are on running tabs and credit cards, where the back up barware is such as mixers, shakers and any additional glassware. The last thing you want to show to a customer is that you do not know about all of the barware and where it is kept in the case that you need something for them.

Being a bartender can be a really great career move for so many people, but it is necessary that you take the time to educate yourself first. Learning about all of the facets of bartending and barware is sure to change your life and make you the best bartender possible.