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Let’s be honest.

Being nervous or anxious for a job interview happens often, and interviewing for a bar job is no exception. There are many questions, answers, and situations you must prepare for. But before you can even get to that point, one question should come to everyone’s mind..

What should I wear to a bartending job interview?

The good news is, this isn’t a difficult question. 

While it is important to make a good first impression, one thing you shouldn’t have to think too much about is what you should be wearing.

PS: This is Part II of our Bartending Interview Series. To check out the entire series, click here for Part I: Bartending Interview Questions, Scheduling, and Preparation. 

There are some basic and simple rules you should adhere to when it comes to what to wear for a bartending interview.

But first…

Do your own research

Before we even begin to discuss what color shirt you should wear, or whether you should wear cologne/perfume, the first thing you need to do is a little research. You need to find out what other bartenders are wearing at the gig you are trying to get a job at.

You can accomplish this in two different ways:

1. In-Person
2. Online

Preferably in the above order of priority. If you can’t go to the bar beforehand, then hopping online and doing some digging can still help. Look up their websites, scan their social media, and see if you can pick up on their attire. Obviously, this isn’t always easy to do, which is why going to the location before your interview can make it a whole lot easier.

Why is it important to see what other bartenders are wearing?

First impressions are everything, and if you come in wearing the wrong attire you can immediately be written off.

If the bartending gig has a uniform or high-class reputation and you show up in a flannel and flip-flops, you’d be giving off a bad impression. Likewise, if you show up in a suit for an interview at a sports bar, the hiring manager might think you are lost.

Spend the time doing your research and you’ll be on your way to a successful interview.

Bartending Attire for Females

While it is important to find out what the bartenders are wearing, there are some guidelines for what most bar managers expect you to wear in order to look professional. Again, use discretion, but for the most part these guidelines will have you covered.

For women, it is best to stick with the basics. Black dress pants are perfect, as you want to have a formal look without being too flashy. Dark colors are acceptable as well, but you can’t go wrong with black.

The shirt color is where you can have some fun, maybe even choosing a color that you think matches your personality. Cleavage is debatable, but it is better to be on the safe side. Subtlety is key, and smart is better than sexy when it comes to interviews. 

For shoes, close-toed black shoes are something you can’t go wrong with. No need for heels, you should keep it formal but comfortable.

Small dresses are also ok, but keep it on the slimmer side and dark. Black again is preferred here, and only go for it if you saw other bartenders on the job wearing something similar.

Bartending Attire for Males

Like women, men can’t go wrong with dark pants. Black is the usual go-to, but a dark grey or brown is fine as well. 

Where men can go wrong is with the shirt fit. Fit is king, and you should do your best with wearing a shirt that fits you nicely. If you can’t even get a shirt that looks good on you for the interview, what makes you think you’ll get one for the the bartending gig? A dark belt and a tucked in collared-shirt complete the look.

As for the shirt color, it’s best to keep the colors neutral and light – but not white. Light grey, blue, or green all work. Ties can work as well, but this (like women who wear slim black dresses) should only be done if you observed other male bartenders wearing them on the job. 

Avoid bow-ties, as they look tacky.

Hair

Women should keep their hair up with a small clip, and kept out of the face. 

Men should be well groomed and shaven. If you have facial hair, keep it trimmed. Beards really do depend on the bar, so if you have a long one make sure it’s well kept.

Accessories

A general piece of advice when it comes to accessories is to avoid them if you can. They are by no means a deal breaker, but they do have more of a chance of hurting your job chances than helping them. Earrings need to go, unless they are small and not hanging. 

Jewelry in many bar manager’s eyes is an accident waiting to happen, so if you don’t need them, don’t wear them. If you insist on jewelry, metal is fine but fabric is unsanitary.

As much as you can, cover up tattoos. It depends on the bar manager and his preferences toward them (and the ambiance of the bar itself), but cover them in the interim.

Perfume and Cologne are ok, but don’t overdo it. Just like in real life, it’s better to give off a slight aroma than to intoxicate someone. A spray or two is fine.

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When it comes to doing well in an interview, an overall rule is to exude confidence. When you don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing, this will come naturally.

Look good, feel good, and go get that bartending job.

In most professions, drinking at work would not only be highly frowned upon, but would most likely lead to you being fired. Bartending though, is often the exception to the rule. Bartenders are not only allowed to drink while on the job, but may be encouraged to. The answer to “Can bartenders drink on the job?” though can be a bit confusing depending on what state/city you live in and what kind of establishment you work in.

The short answer for whether drinking on the job for bartenders is allowed: it depends.

Drinking on the job depends on a few factors, with the most important being:

Are you 21?

Yes? Good, you are one step closer to finding out whether you can drink while on the job. Remember, some state laws require you only to be 18 years old to bartend. Therefore, regardless of what your state or employers rules are, you would be unable to drink any alcohol while bartending. To find your states bartending age requirements, select your state here.

State Laws

Certain states allow bartenders to drink on the job, but the laws can get blurry depending on what state you live in. For example, in states such as California, bartenders ARE allowed to drink while behind the bar. Where as other states outright ban it.

To get a clear cut answer, we encourage you to reach out to your local City Clerks Office.

It is important to note that although your state may legally allow you to drink while on the job, your employer may not.

Employer Rules

Many clubs, restaurants, and bar owners don’t allow their bartenders to drink while on the job, regardless of what the state law is. This may be for a couple of reasons:

1. It reduces their liability that you will leave the bar drunk and get injured
2. You won’t “drink up” all their profits
3. You will act more professional

Of course, each employer may have his or her own set of rules such as:

1. You can only drink if the drink is bought for you
2. You may have one “end of shift drink”

We encourage you to ask your employer what his or her rule is towards drinking on the job. As it is a touchy subject, we often suggest that the best way to go about asking during the interview is to say: “If a patron offers to buy your servers or bartenders a drink while working, what is your suggestion to them?”

How to be a good bartender

Drinking behind the bar can lead to larger tips and happier customers. As a bartender, it is your job to make your patrons happy and often times what makes them happy is buying you a drink.

It is your job though, to handle yourself correctly and know your limit. One or two drinks with a big spender can lead to a large tip (not to mention the sale of the drink itself) and can keep the mood in the bar high.

A trick that bartenders sometimes use when they are being offered too many drinks is to pour a shot and a chaser. You can then take the shot and spit it back into the chaser while quickly throwing the chaser away.

Are you new to the field of bartending? Whether you are starting your first part-time bartending gig, or entertaining guests at a cocktail party… If you are reading this, odds are you aren’t an expert.

Like any job, expertise, or skill – you face a “steep learning curve.” The experts in the field have spent years perfecting their craft and you may feel like you are far behind…

The truth is though, you don’t have to be an expert to become a bartender. Also, no one expects you to be a professional mixologist.

Ever heard of the saying “if you know how to read, you know how to cook?” Well, bartending is not that far off.

You see, drinks build off one another behind the bar. By learning just a few drinks, you have the skills needed to learn many more. Daunting cocktails that are “complex” or “upscale” will soon be much easier to grasp.

Learn the following classics and you’re half way there. These are drinks you can count on to get you started as a bartender.

Before you know it, you’ll be running the show. Here are five classic cocktails every bartender should know. It all starts here…

#1 – The Perfect Manhattan

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Rye Whiskey
• ½ ounce Sweet Vermouth
• ½ ounce Dry Vermouth
• 1 or 2 dashes of angostura bitters (optional)
• 1 cup of ice cubes
• Garnish:
  • 1 Maraschino Cherry

Bartender’s Note: A “perfect” Manhattan refers to the equal amounts of sweet & dry vermouth. (as shown in this recipe) A number of people simply enjoy a 2:1 ratio of Whiskey and sweet vermouth. Everyone’s got their own preference.

Preparation:

• Stir the rye, vermouth and bitters will with cracked ice in mixing glass.
• (Although some prefer to “shake” their manhattans, stirring is the traditional method)
• Strain mix into a chilled glass
• Garnish with maraschino cherry

This video gives you everything you need, along with a bit of history:

#2 – The Classic Martini

Ingredients:

• ½ ounce Dry Vermouth
• 2 ½ ounce Gin
• Garnishes:
  • Olive or
  • Lemon peel twist

Preparation:

• Pour Vermouth and Gin into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes
• Stir for 30 seconds
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
• Garnish with the olive or lemon twist

The above recipe is a happy middle ground in complexity. Again, it’s all about the customers’ preference.

#3 – The Old Fashioned

When it comes to cocktails and whiskey, nothing compares to the Old Fashioned. This classic dates back far before the Martini and Manhattan.

Ingredients:

• ½ ounce Simple Syrup
  • Substitutes:
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 1 sugar cube
    • 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
• 2 to 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 ounces Rye Whiskey or Bourbon
• 1 splash Club Soda or Water (optional)
• Garnishes:
  • 1 orange or lemon peel and/or
  • 1 maraschino cherry (optional)

Preparation:

• Pour simple syrup, bitters, a quick splash of water/club-soda, and whiskey into glass
• * (If using sugar/sugar cubes/brown sugar, crush the sugar with a wooden muddler or strong spoon)
• Stir crushed sugar and ingredients BEFORE adding ice
• Add a few large Ice cubes
• Stir again and serve with garnishes of choice (lemon or orange peel is the traditional route)

#4 – The Margarita

Classic cocktails like the Margarita are irreplaceable. This one’s simple..

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounce to 2 ounce Tequila
• 1 ounce Cointreu or triple sec
• 1 ounce Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
• Salt – for garnishing of glass (optional)

Preparation:

• Combine tequila, cointreu, and squeezed lime juice into cocktail shaker.
• Fill shaker with ice
• Shake until thoroughly chilled
• ** Run lime wedge around the OUTER rim of a serving glass and dip in salt (optional)
• Fill glass with fresh ice and stain mixture into glass
• Garnish with lime and serve!

**Bartenders Note:  You can serve this cocktail in three different ways; (1) Straight up – with no ice, (2) on the rocks – as shown in the video, or (3) frozen – with the use of a blender.

#5 – The Tom Collins

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces dry Gin
• ¾ ounce Simple Syrup
  • Substitutes: 1 teaspoon Sugar
• ¾ ounce Freshly Squeezed Lemon
• 1 to 2 splashes Club Soda
• Tom Collins (tall) glass
• Ice cubes
• Garnishes:
  • Orange wedge or
  • Lemon slice

Preparation:

**Bartenders Note: This is a cocktail that can be made IN the serving-glass. If you are using sugar instead of simple syrup, however, we then suggest the “shake and strain” method served in an ice-filled glass. Also, make sure club soda is cold.

• In the serving glass… combine gin, simple syrup, and squeezed lemon juice
• Add large ice cubes
• Finish the mixture with the splashes of Club Soda without any shaking or stirring
• Garnish with orange and serve!

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Give yourself some credit.. You might not know it, but some bartenders cant even make one drink we just talked about.  Knowing these essentials now gives you an incredible advantage entering the workforce as a bartender.

And if you are looking to take your knowledge one step further, we suggest taking an online cocktail making course such as this one.

Cheers!