Bartending as a career?

[babslittleones]

I need some opinions here. My husband is looking at changing his career. He has commented about bartending. So are there any bartenders out there? Do you enjoy your job? What kind of money do you bring in a night? Do you get health benefits? Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Beth


Sorry. I forgot to give some details. He would start out part time here in Ohio to gain some experience. Then we plan on relocating back to Orlando the summer of 2005. He would rather work at a night club of some sorts where there is alot of action going on.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Income will vary greatly depending on location.

 

[CBRorBust]

Not only location, but what kind of bartender does he want to be? One that works in a club, just like a bar, or one that does private parties, works for a hotel, etc.

I don't know about benefits, but I would't think they get any. I have always thought of bartending as a part-time type of job.

 

[Ran]

some chains and hotels offer health insurance, but in my experience (Florida, NH, Texas) most do not. But it has been over 20 years since I tended bar in Florida and about 15 since Texas so maybe that's changed. A lot of businesses in this area are starting to offer insurance, but it's usually expensive and sometimes cost prohibitive.

it can be a really fun job a lot of the time, but like anything else can have it's drawbacks

becaue I live in seasonal resort area, how much money I make varies during the year, but I get by okay

does he have restaurant esperience at all?

 

[babslittleones]

He doesn't have any restaurant experience. We figure he can take one of the classes and then work weekends until we would move. I'll probably try and talk him into taking some of those extra classes (flair and TIPS) before we head down also. He worked a third shift job (6:30pm to 3:30am) for almost five years and never had a problem with that shift so that won't be a problem for us. We are just in the very early stages of checking things out so we really appreciate all the advice.

Thanks
Beth

 

[snoopy]

I was a bartender throughout college, but that was 15 years ago. At that time I did not get any benefits nor did any of the bartenders I knew, unless they worked for a major hotel chain. Tips were plentiful, in excess of $100 per night, every night, but I worked in a busy sports bar in Manhattan. It would be an adjustment for someone who is use to getting a paycheck every week to walking out each night with a bunch of cash. The drawbacks were the very long hours -- the bar didn't close until 2am so that meant 4am or so before I got home. I'd do it again in a New York minute (pun intended) if I had to -- it was a lucrative and enjoyable way to make a living (although standing on my feet all night was probably a whole lot easier 15 years ago then it would be now...... )

 

[babslittleones]

bump

 

[Pop Daddy]

I dont think its a good ideal finacially nor for your marriage (although Im sure its a good one)

 

[FINFAN]

DH is a project manager(mechanical engineering) and has been dealing with several recruiters in FL. They pretty much tell him unless he plans to tend a Tiki Bar for 1/4( maybe) of his take home pay, to look elsewhere for a decent paycheck. The good side of that is if we could afford to do so, he would... and just for kicks DH chatted about the service industry for a while and recruiter said yes, there are some pretty nice paying bar jobs to be had, but did suggest a resort/yacht club type position...where vacationers tend to tip quite nicely. But like anything else, many were hit hard during the travel drop off.
I think it is a great skill to have for a back up. We have friend who does sale for Cuervo....says it's great...liquor sells when the world is doing great, and when the world isn't going so well...and he has never had any job worries. Good Luck to you!
Pam

 

[Feralpeg]

One of my brother's is a bartendar. He loves it. He spent about 15 years as an engineer for a railroad making $80,000 a year. He hated it. He worked 8 hours on, 8 hours off. How can one have a life doing that? He quit and became a programmer. He made about $30,000 as a beginning programmer. He hated it. Day in day out at a desk. I know, because I was a Systems Manager for 30 years. Programming can be a very stressful job. He quit programming and became a bartendar. He is so happy. He works for a large hotel chain. His hours aren't bad and he does get full medical benefits. He gets a regular salary (not great), but he gets good tips.

He is not married and has no one depending on him, so it was easier for him to make the decision. He thinks being happy is much more important than having a lot of money.