BAR STAFF JOBS

What is the work like?

Bar staff serve drinks in pubs, clubs, wine bars, café bars and hotels.

As a bar person your main duties would include:

serving customers with drinks
collecting payment and operating the till
providing snacks, such as crisps and nuts.

You may also create cocktails for customers and, during busy periods, you may help serve hot and cold food.

You would be responsible for keeping the bar area clean and well stocked, which would involve:

washing glasses
emptying ashtrays
storing empty bottles
clearing and cleaning tables and the bar regularly.

You would also play a key role in creating a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and talking with customers.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You will not usually need any qualifications to start work as a bar person. An outgoing, pleasant and helpful manner is usually considered more important than qualifications.

You may need a good general standard of education, and some large pub and bar chains will consider your ability to take relevant qualifications such as:

NVQ Level 2 in Food and Drink Service
Level 2 National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders

It would be an advantage to have some experience of customer service.

You will usually need to be at least age 18 to work in a bar. However, you could start a relevant apprenticeship at age 16. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/.

What further training and development can I do?

You will normally receive on-the-job training from your employer when you begin work. You could combine this with working towards:

NVQ Level 2 in Food and Drink Service, Multi-skilled Hospitality Service, or Customer Service
BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service
the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) specialist courses in wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages.

You could also take the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) courses and awards in subjects such as:

Professional Bar Person’s Qualification
Award in Beer and Cellar Quality
Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing
Award in Customer and Drinks Service.

If you have management responsibilities, you may be encouraged to achieve a Personal Licence Holder's qualification. These are offered by the BII, NCFE, GOAL (through Education Development International) and GQAL (through Developing Hospitality Ltd).