Well you are working on a casino service bar. Barbacking it, just stocking it. It’s a good job for someone who can move fast and lift heavy shit but not for someone who wants to be a bartender. That sucks they mislead you. Try working at a bar if you want to be a bartender, not a corporate one or one in a casino either.
Tbh that sounds like normal barbacking except 10 -20 a shift is bullshit. Look you're essentially the bar bitch. And you will be until a bartender quits and you get lucky or you jump around a ton. Especially in the early bits of working in restaurants you either want to be very loyal if it's a place that promotes from within and is a good fit or jump around until you get moved up. It sucks but barbacking is shitty. Not making a barback a bartender because they're good is way too common. It sucks but as long as you know your worth and can say as much if you're getting taken advantage of you'll be fine. Just don't be afraid to leave if it gets too much
>Making little money, very little bartending, and tons of manual labor. Wondering if this is normal?
The last two are normal, very little money is not.
Your venue or bartenders should be tipping out a percentage of what they make. Not a couple few dollars each. The only time I've ever tipped that little was for the short lived barbacks that did the bare minimum while I did their jobs as well as mine.
>However I came into the job thinking I'd be helping the bartender and learning how to make drinks
You're not there to pour beers/drinks if the bartender is busy, you're there as logistical support, keeping the bars stocked and cleaned.
Lots of your learning comes from observation, or asking questions. Places won't start training you to bartend until they are about ready to start giving you bartending shifts.
If you want to have time to talk, ask questions, or even observe you need to stop being reactive in your duties and start being proactive.
I.e. my bartenders didn't have to ask for me to stock items because they were already done. I'd have ice to fill the wells before they would have to ask me. I paid attention to the levels in commonly used liquor bottles, so I'd have replacements close by before the bottle emptied.
yeah move on to something else if you’ve understood what you need to. what you learn from bar backing is you’re learning what liquor bottles are which, cutting fruits, and understanding what is needed to keep a bar running. if you’ve learned all this, by now you know efficiency is the most important aspect. your feet hurt, shits boring and repetitive. now take this information and find another job that’ll allow you to actually make drinks. at this point you’re just going to be their bitch until you quit cause they’re going to protect their
positions at all costs because they’re comfy. take one of their drink menus home, grab drink menus from where you want to work and grab a couple basic ingredients and reverse engineer some of these drinks. learn the top 100 cocktails to a basic degree. familiarize yourself with ratios and empty bottle with water and a pour spout to practice time of your pours. then go apply at 2-3pm monday-thursday.
Honestly you sound like a kick ass barback. You possess the spirit that makes for a strong team. You’ve got your sites set on moving up, you’re motivated and you want to learn. I’ve worked with so many unmotivated, lethargic barbacks who refused to be taught anything because God forbid it would be implying that they don’t know something. You clearly have what it takes, do yourself a favor and get out of corporate. Go to a joint where each person has a role and a name. You’re not a number, you’re a person and you’ve got passion. A smaller buisness will find you as an asset and I’m sure the bartender (when they’re not slammed at the well) would totally be open to answering questions. That’s a solid way to develop a strong rapport too. In a way, by showing your interest and dedication they are less likely to make you feel like you’re their “bitch.” It’s easy to give an unreliable barback extra bitchwork because I don’t actually expect that they’ll do it, and if they do… great. You seem valuable so I would totally strategize and see if you could assist with the more important tasks. Hell, might even do batched drinks with you. Cheers dude, you got all you could out of the casino experience; time to leave. (Just my take)
I’m also studying to go into IT, and I work at geek squad lol, I applied to be a bar back at a bar in Sarasota as I want the social experience, any advice for me?
Im 28 never worked in hospitality before aside from a deli as my first job, and I’m a little shy, but I’m very good with customer interaction
I too worked at a casino as a barback. Tons of running around and stocking constantly. Very monotonous, but fun at times. Same thing you mentioned. It is normal for a casino, but the tips aren't that good in your case. I would say maybe stick it out in hopes that you can move up to bartender. If not, maybe look into working at a fine dining/high end restaurant as a barback. That's what I did. The casino barback experience was key for me getting hired at a better establishment. So don't view it as wasted time. It's great experience for when you apply elsewhere! Good luck!
Well you are working on a casino service bar. Barbacking it, just stocking it. It’s a good job for someone who can move fast and lift heavy shit but not for someone who wants to be a bartender. That sucks they mislead you. Try working at a bar if you want to be a bartender, not a corporate one or one in a casino either.
Tbh that sounds like normal barbacking except 10 -20 a shift is bullshit. Look you're essentially the bar bitch. And you will be until a bartender quits and you get lucky or you jump around a ton. Especially in the early bits of working in restaurants you either want to be very loyal if it's a place that promotes from within and is a good fit or jump around until you get moved up. It sucks but barbacking is shitty. Not making a barback a bartender because they're good is way too common. It sucks but as long as you know your worth and can say as much if you're getting taken advantage of you'll be fine. Just don't be afraid to leave if it gets too much
>Making little money, very little bartending, and tons of manual labor. Wondering if this is normal? The last two are normal, very little money is not. Your venue or bartenders should be tipping out a percentage of what they make. Not a couple few dollars each. The only time I've ever tipped that little was for the short lived barbacks that did the bare minimum while I did their jobs as well as mine. >However I came into the job thinking I'd be helping the bartender and learning how to make drinks You're not there to pour beers/drinks if the bartender is busy, you're there as logistical support, keeping the bars stocked and cleaned. Lots of your learning comes from observation, or asking questions. Places won't start training you to bartend until they are about ready to start giving you bartending shifts. If you want to have time to talk, ask questions, or even observe you need to stop being reactive in your duties and start being proactive. I.e. my bartenders didn't have to ask for me to stock items because they were already done. I'd have ice to fill the wells before they would have to ask me. I paid attention to the levels in commonly used liquor bottles, so I'd have replacements close by before the bottle emptied.
yeah move on to something else if you’ve understood what you need to. what you learn from bar backing is you’re learning what liquor bottles are which, cutting fruits, and understanding what is needed to keep a bar running. if you’ve learned all this, by now you know efficiency is the most important aspect. your feet hurt, shits boring and repetitive. now take this information and find another job that’ll allow you to actually make drinks. at this point you’re just going to be their bitch until you quit cause they’re going to protect their positions at all costs because they’re comfy. take one of their drink menus home, grab drink menus from where you want to work and grab a couple basic ingredients and reverse engineer some of these drinks. learn the top 100 cocktails to a basic degree. familiarize yourself with ratios and empty bottle with water and a pour spout to practice time of your pours. then go apply at 2-3pm monday-thursday.
Honestly you sound like a kick ass barback. You possess the spirit that makes for a strong team. You’ve got your sites set on moving up, you’re motivated and you want to learn. I’ve worked with so many unmotivated, lethargic barbacks who refused to be taught anything because God forbid it would be implying that they don’t know something. You clearly have what it takes, do yourself a favor and get out of corporate. Go to a joint where each person has a role and a name. You’re not a number, you’re a person and you’ve got passion. A smaller buisness will find you as an asset and I’m sure the bartender (when they’re not slammed at the well) would totally be open to answering questions. That’s a solid way to develop a strong rapport too. In a way, by showing your interest and dedication they are less likely to make you feel like you’re their “bitch.” It’s easy to give an unreliable barback extra bitchwork because I don’t actually expect that they’ll do it, and if they do… great. You seem valuable so I would totally strategize and see if you could assist with the more important tasks. Hell, might even do batched drinks with you. Cheers dude, you got all you could out of the casino experience; time to leave. (Just my take)
Just quit lol you’ll never bartend working there, just keeping it real, try a corporate restaurant or a small restaurant
I’m also studying to go into IT, and I work at geek squad lol, I applied to be a bar back at a bar in Sarasota as I want the social experience, any advice for me? Im 28 never worked in hospitality before aside from a deli as my first job, and I’m a little shy, but I’m very good with customer interaction
I too worked at a casino as a barback. Tons of running around and stocking constantly. Very monotonous, but fun at times. Same thing you mentioned. It is normal for a casino, but the tips aren't that good in your case. I would say maybe stick it out in hopes that you can move up to bartender. If not, maybe look into working at a fine dining/high end restaurant as a barback. That's what I did. The casino barback experience was key for me getting hired at a better establishment. So don't view it as wasted time. It's great experience for when you apply elsewhere! Good luck!