Barperson

Also known as:

Barmaid
Barman
Bartender
Bar Worker

Introduction

Barpersons serve customers drinks and snacks in hotel bars, restaurants, wine bars and pubs. They may also monitor the stock levels of drinks, and prepare the bar before and after opening times. They often work shifts combining morning, daytime or evening work.

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Work Activities

While the bar is open barpersons serve customers with drinks and snacks. They keep the bar and drinking areas clean and tidy, and they make sure stocks of drinks and snacks are readily available.

Barpersons mainly serve alcoholic and soft drinks. Some bars might specialise in cocktails or certain kinds of drinks (German beers for example); others might serve teas and coffees. All barpersons need to learn about lots of different drinks and how to serve them.

Snacks are available in many bars so the barperson might have to prepare simple meals, such as sandwiches and salads (though in most cases this would be done by a chef or kitchen assistant). Bar staff may also serve hot food.

Bar staff have to wipe up spills from bar and table surfaces, collect empty bottles, glasses and used dishes and gather up the litter for disposal. In most bars glasses and crockery are cleaned in special machines, but the barperson will usually have to load and unload them.

Beer barrels and other stock are usually stored in a cellar area where the temperature can be easily controlled. If one of the barrels becomes empty during opening hours the barperson has to work fast to get a new barrel connected and the supply working again. Re-stocking the shelves is usually done at the start or end of the day.

Other duties at the beginning and end of the day may include arranging the bar furniture, setting out beer mats, drip trays and menus.

Barpersons may have to challenge customers who look underage.

In some bars, barpersons help to organise and run events such as quiz nights or karaoke singing.

Some bar staff may have to wear a uniform.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a barperson you will need to be enthusiastic, friendly and able to get along with most people. You must be able to deal tactfully with customers who have had too much to drink or are under age.

You need to be aware of hygiene and personal cleanliness, be good with numbers, and able to lift and move heavy items. You'll be on your feet most of the time, so you'll need plenty of stamina.

You must be able to work well in a team and under pressure when the bar is busy.

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Pay and Opportunities

Wages vary depending on the type of employer.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Barpeople earn in the range of £210 - £250, rising to around £310 a week. Hourly rates vary from minimum wage to around £7.00 an hour.

Bar staff usually work 37-40 hours a week, which may include shift work, split shifts, early starts, late finishes, weekend work and public holidays. Overtime may be available. Part-time, temporary and seasonal employment is possible.

Bar staff work throughout the UK, in pubs, nightclubs, wine bars, leisure centres, leisure cruisers, hotels and temporary venues, such as beer tents at festivals.

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation.

You must be at least 18 years old to sell alcohol legally.

Some entrants have skills and abilities gained working with the public, perhaps in retail. Some entrants have gained other hospitality or catering skills, from experience gained working as a waiter/waitress, hotel receptionist or food service assistant, or in handling cash.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don't meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), offer short courses leading to a range of relevant qualifications. These are available at a large number of centres throughout the country, by part-time study (day or evening) or by distance learning.

• 67% of barpeople work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.
• 12% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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