Breaking into bartending isn’t just for the seasoned pros. With the right mindset, a little prep, and a willingness to start from the bottom, you can land your first bar job even without experience.
Here’s how to go from curious beginner to confident behind the bar—one smart step at a time.
Part One: Set the Stage Before You Step Behind the Bar
There are some basics you need to know before you step behind the bar or even think about applying for such a job and start going on interviews.
1. Know the Legal Requirements (The Mandatory Part)
Let’s clarify: You can’t bartend if your state says you’re too young, unlicensed, or uninformed.
- Minimum age to serve alcohol in the U.S. varies. You can bartend at 18 in New York or Florida, but need to be 21 in California. If you’re aiming to find bartender work in Houston, TX, you have to be at least 18 years old, and the TABC certification is usually required too, so you might say this country has a bit more “stringent and official” requirements for bartenders.
Michigan, West Virginia, and Maine allow (under certain circumstances) minors of 16 and 17 to serve alcohol or even sell it in convenience stores, but only if an elder employee is there to supervise.
- Do you need a bartending license? Not always. But in states like Washington and Oregon, you must complete an alcohol server education course. Even where it’s optional, having a license can boost your chances of getting hired, especially for total newbies. Bonus: You’ll learn key stuff like recognizing intoxication and avoiding overserving—things that’ll keep you (and your bar) lawsuit-free.
2. Understand What You’re Actually Signing Up For
There’s a huge gap between ordering a drink and making 30 of them during happy hour while three customers yell your name. Bartending is fast-paced, physical, and occasionally chaotic. You’ll be on your feet for hours, multitasking like a caffeinated octopus, managing customer vibes, and cleaning constantly. If you thought bartending was all flair and flirting, think again.
But that’s also the charm — it’s social, and energetic, and no two shifts are the same.
3. Master the Basics at Home
No experience? No problem—but you do need to show initiative. Start by building some muscle memory at home.
- Pick up basic bar tools like a shaker, jigger, and strainer.
- Learn how to pour accurately using a jigger or count method.
- Memorize the basics: your Old Fashioned, Margarita, Negroni, Mojito.
This is less about becoming a cocktail wizard and more about showing employers that you’ve put in some work — and aren’t completely clueless behind the bar.
Source: Pexels
4. Learn by Watching — a Lot!
Your local bar is your classroom. Sit at the counter. Watch how bartenders move, communicate, keep track of dozens of orders, and manage rowdy crowds. Pay attention to how they prep garnishes, keep the bar clean, and stay calm during the rush.
You’ll pick up tips and tricks no course can teach — and you’ll start to understand the rhythm of a real bar environment. And don’t forget to tip well. A bartender who likes you might just help you land a gig.
5. Build Soft Skills (Because No One Likes a Rude Genius)
Bartending is equal parts performance, hospitality, and controlled chaos. If you can’t work well with people, it won’t matter how well you shake a martini.
Start developing soft skills like remembering names and orders, diffusing tension with humor, multitasking without losing your mind, and communicating clearly in loud, fast-paced environments. If you’ve ever worked in retail, customer service, or food service—great. Use it. These are transferable skills that bar managers love.
Source: Pexels
Part Two: Getting the Job (Without a Resume That Screams “I’ve Never Done This Before”)
6. Start as a Barback
If bartenders are the stars, barbacks are the crew making the magic possible. And it’s how most bartenders get their start.
Barbacks restock liquor, clean glassware, keep the bar stocked and organized, and basically make the bartender’s life easier.
It’s hard, often sweaty work — but it’s also a paid crash course in bar operations. Show you’re reliable and eager, and you’ll be the first person they consider when it’s time to promote from within.
Source: Pexels
7. Look for Openings at Restaurant Bars or Chains
Trendy cocktail lounges and speakeasies might be your end goal, but they probably won’t hire you straight out the gate. Your best bet is a restaurant bar — especially a chain or hotel lounge — where things are a little more structured and training is often built-in.
These places tend to be more open to people with no direct bartending experience, and they’re great places to learn the ropes, build muscle memory, and earn your first pour.
8. Consider (Selective) Certification
While you don’t always need a bartending certificate, some certifications can give you a leg up — especially in states that require them. Programs like TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol are often completed online in just a few hours and cost under $50. If a job listing mentions alcohol certification, having it already in hand can make you an easy yes.
9. Write a Resume That Shows You’re Bar-Ready
Even without experience behind the bar, you’ve probably got something employers want. Highlight fast-paced restaurant or retail work, customer-facing roles, or anything that required multitasking under pressure.
Keep it honest, short, and tailored, and remember: the resume is just 10-20% in a job that demands skill. You will probably get asked to prep some basic cocktails or coffees on your interview since most bartending interviews are skill-based and not as much conversation-based.
Source: Unsplash
10. Show Up and Ask
Yes, applying online is easy — but most bars still hire the old-fashioned way. Walk in, ask to speak to the manager, and hand them your resume. Do it during a slow time (think: weekday afternoons). Smile, introduce yourself, and tell them you’re looking for a chance to learn and start as a barback or support staff.
Even if they’re not hiring, you might get on their radar for future openings. The industry is tight-knit — and sometimes all it takes is showing up with a good attitude.
11. Nail the Trial Shift
You might get offered a “trail” — an unpaid or low-paid working interview. This is your chance to prove you’re reliable, fast, and coachable. Show up early, ask questions at the right time (aka when it’s not slammed), and always be doing something: wiping, stocking, prepping.
You don’t have to be a drink-slinging pro yet. But if you can work hard, listen well, and be helpful, you’ll be remembered — and probably hired.
12. Know What You’re Worth (But Be Realistic)
Once you land the job, what can you expect to earn? Entry-level bartenders in the U.S. earn between $12 and $25/hour with tips included, but it depends heavily on location, venue, and experience—bartenders in Washington earn an average of $40,069 per year, while those in Mississippi average around $20,470.
In tip-heavy cities like Las Vegas or New York, seasoned bartenders can even break six figures — but you have to earn your spot first.
Source: Pexels
Takeaways
Becoming a bartender with no experience isn’t about bluffing your way behind the bar — it’s about building your skills where you can, showing initiative, and making yourself valuable before you ever pour a drop.
Start small, stay curious, and make yourself indispensable. The right bar manager doesn’t care if you’ve never made a Negroni — they care if you can show up on time, work hard, and learn fast. Everything else? That comes with the job.
