Should I Barback?
September 8, 2015 3:28 PM Subscribe
In my desperate quest for gainful employment, this is an option I am pondering...
Never have I ever worked in the service industry. I am as ignorant as it gets.
But I am attracted to the idea, and have heard from some it is a good gig.
I have often thought too, that I might enjoy someday being a bartender. It's something I wish I had tried years ago. People who know me in real life have often said I'd be great at it, that I have "that" type of personality. I do love people, after all.
So, a great way to get started in that direction would be barback, or so I've heard.
I do not have my SmartServe...It's 40 bucks to do it, but I don't have that kind of money.
I've heard you don't need it for barback...is that correct?
Now I do have concerns. I'm 42 and like I said have had no experience. zero. Is my advanced age and lack of experience a bad combination? I do have years and years of customer service experience (in retail) and can still slug cases of everything...would that help?
I know this may sound dumb, but I'm worried I'll get laughed at basically. My self-esteem has taken a brutal shit-kicking lately...
Any tips for working my way in?
And, by all means, If anyone has insider intel for me in Toronto, I sure could use it!
Never have I ever worked in the service industry. I am as ignorant as it gets.
But I am attracted to the idea, and have heard from some it is a good gig.
I have often thought too, that I might enjoy someday being a bartender. It's something I wish I had tried years ago. People who know me in real life have often said I'd be great at it, that I have "that" type of personality. I do love people, after all.
So, a great way to get started in that direction would be barback, or so I've heard.
I do not have my SmartServe...It's 40 bucks to do it, but I don't have that kind of money.
I've heard you don't need it for barback...is that correct?
Now I do have concerns. I'm 42 and like I said have had no experience. zero. Is my advanced age and lack of experience a bad combination? I do have years and years of customer service experience (in retail) and can still slug cases of everything...would that help?
I know this may sound dumb, but I'm worried I'll get laughed at basically. My self-esteem has taken a brutal shit-kicking lately...
Any tips for working my way in?
And, by all means, If anyone has insider intel for me in Toronto, I sure could use it!
Go for it but judiciously pick your bartender--your earnings will be tied to theirs.
posted by rmhsinc at 3:42 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rmhsinc at 3:42 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's a physical job, but it's the best way to eventually become a bartender. There aren't really special skills required, just be observant, dependable, and organized.
posted by quince at 3:52 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by quince at 3:52 PM on September 8, 2015
I'd say go for it.
I've worked in bars (server/marketing) in Florida, so couldn't tell you anything about Toronto. Also, I'm in a small city & know nothing behind the scenes in big city bars. (Though don't imagine it's all that different.) Your age may be an issue in some bars, so you may face some rejection. Nobody will laugh at you, though - and if they do, they aren't the type you'd want to work with, so consider it them failing your interview.
Down here, barbacks do not need SmartServe.
Now, barbacks are tipped out by the bartenders. So when you scout out places to apply, take a good look at the bartenders and the type of business they're doing. The last place I worked, we had very different nights - Mondays saw a regular crowd with a house/jam band. They loved their bartender and when we had to move the band to another night, they demanded we move their bartender along with them. Though it was a much slower night, he made as much or more than the bartenders on our busier nights. The regulars took good care of him and he took care of them. That sort of crowd may be what you want to look for - it'll be a bit slower so you'll have less running to storage and the time to build a better relationship with the bartender & regulars. Plus, you'll probably get more practical hands on bartending training.
posted by imbri at 4:00 PM on September 8, 2015
I've worked in bars (server/marketing) in Florida, so couldn't tell you anything about Toronto. Also, I'm in a small city & know nothing behind the scenes in big city bars. (Though don't imagine it's all that different.) Your age may be an issue in some bars, so you may face some rejection. Nobody will laugh at you, though - and if they do, they aren't the type you'd want to work with, so consider it them failing your interview.
Down here, barbacks do not need SmartServe.
Now, barbacks are tipped out by the bartenders. So when you scout out places to apply, take a good look at the bartenders and the type of business they're doing. The last place I worked, we had very different nights - Mondays saw a regular crowd with a house/jam band. They loved their bartender and when we had to move the band to another night, they demanded we move their bartender along with them. Though it was a much slower night, he made as much or more than the bartenders on our busier nights. The regulars took good care of him and he took care of them. That sort of crowd may be what you want to look for - it'll be a bit slower so you'll have less running to storage and the time to build a better relationship with the bartender & regulars. Plus, you'll probably get more practical hands on bartending training.
posted by imbri at 4:00 PM on September 8, 2015
You are 42. Can't spare 40 bucks. Barback may not exactly be you.
The most amazing thing one can derive from your askme is that you are open to change and want to do something different. Barback is tough work, often thankless and/or shitty tipped, without any guarantee of being a bartender. But rest assured you will get a couple of shots during your shift and wonder if you are the only one aside from the dishwasher able to survive on (rounded) 5 bucks an hour.
If you really want to tend bar - then just admit you are good at sales and customer relations - which is the bread and butter of any good establishment. Food, drinks or else-wise. Those skills are interchangeable universally.
Using the logic above, it appears you have loads of opportunities and barback/bartender doesn't quite ring up as the best seller. Stretch yourself a bit more :=)
posted by Funmonkey1 at 4:01 PM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
The most amazing thing one can derive from your askme is that you are open to change and want to do something different. Barback is tough work, often thankless and/or shitty tipped, without any guarantee of being a bartender. But rest assured you will get a couple of shots during your shift and wonder if you are the only one aside from the dishwasher able to survive on (rounded) 5 bucks an hour.
If you really want to tend bar - then just admit you are good at sales and customer relations - which is the bread and butter of any good establishment. Food, drinks or else-wise. Those skills are interchangeable universally.
Using the logic above, it appears you have loads of opportunities and barback/bartender doesn't quite ring up as the best seller. Stretch yourself a bit more :=)
posted by Funmonkey1 at 4:01 PM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
No, don't try to be a barback. That's the job you give to the young-and-dumb guy when the bartender just needs another set of hands.
If you want to be a bartender, go learn how to be a bartender.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:46 PM on September 8, 2015
If you want to be a bartender, go learn how to be a bartender.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:46 PM on September 8, 2015
I honestly don't understand the negatives of trying to bar back in your situation (unless you will need to quit a more profitable job).
posted by samthemander at 5:38 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by samthemander at 5:38 PM on September 8, 2015
The OP said they don't have 40 dollars for SmartServe. I don't think plunking down a bunch of money on bartending school (which AFAIK is a scam) is worth it.
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 5:43 PM on September 8, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 5:43 PM on September 8, 2015 [9 favorites]
Sure, apply to barback. You might also apply to FOH entry-level jobs, like host and busser.
Barback, backwaiter, and food runner are usually the jobs at the rung right above entry level. The next rung up from that is usually server/waiter, then bartenders and senior waitstaff. Be prepared to work your way up to bartending. Although bartenders' earnings tend to be on par with or even slightly lower than servers', bartending is usually considered the top job on the floor. Often, the bartender is also the shift supervisor or floor manager. Your retail experience should carry over pretty well, but it's still somewhat of a crapshoot how quickly you move up.
Your age will probably make the transition more difficult than it would be if you were 10-15 years younger, because the work is physically tiring, and bar/restaurant staff tends to run young. It shouldn't entirely disqualify you, though -- you're just more likely to be among the older people on the FOH staff.
Since, if I remember correctly, you have some management experience in retail, I also encourage you to apply for jobs in restaurant management. Those jobs aren't as physically grueling as being on the floor, and they're usually salaried. Your age is also more likely to be a mark in your favor when it comes to applying to those jobs, because it'll make you look more likely to be able to command respect and to be dependable/stable. I can't guarantee that your management applications would get any traction, but it's not out of the question that they would.
I wouldn't spend money going to bartending school. In my experience, it's perceived as a scam, so putting something like that on your resume can make you look like a sucker or naive. I've never seen it be an asset. YMMV.
My recommendation is to wait on getting the ServSafe until you've got a job lined up that requires it (ime, your boss will tell you whether you need to get it during the orientation). You probably will have to invest money in uniform clothes, shoes, and some kind of food handler certification before you can start work. It shouldn't be more than $100 on the outside, but be prepared to spend at least $20 at the absolute minimum.
In your applications, I would emphasize that you enjoy customer service, sales, and teamwork, and that you're dependable and good under pressure. I would also give specifics (like specific figures) about your past sales experience. Try to come off as personable and articulate. There's a lot of overlap between sales, retail, and food service, so you should actually be a pretty good candidate.
posted by rue72 at 5:47 PM on September 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
Barback, backwaiter, and food runner are usually the jobs at the rung right above entry level. The next rung up from that is usually server/waiter, then bartenders and senior waitstaff. Be prepared to work your way up to bartending. Although bartenders' earnings tend to be on par with or even slightly lower than servers', bartending is usually considered the top job on the floor. Often, the bartender is also the shift supervisor or floor manager. Your retail experience should carry over pretty well, but it's still somewhat of a crapshoot how quickly you move up.
Your age will probably make the transition more difficult than it would be if you were 10-15 years younger, because the work is physically tiring, and bar/restaurant staff tends to run young. It shouldn't entirely disqualify you, though -- you're just more likely to be among the older people on the FOH staff.
Since, if I remember correctly, you have some management experience in retail, I also encourage you to apply for jobs in restaurant management. Those jobs aren't as physically grueling as being on the floor, and they're usually salaried. Your age is also more likely to be a mark in your favor when it comes to applying to those jobs, because it'll make you look more likely to be able to command respect and to be dependable/stable. I can't guarantee that your management applications would get any traction, but it's not out of the question that they would.
I wouldn't spend money going to bartending school. In my experience, it's perceived as a scam, so putting something like that on your resume can make you look like a sucker or naive. I've never seen it be an asset. YMMV.
My recommendation is to wait on getting the ServSafe until you've got a job lined up that requires it (ime, your boss will tell you whether you need to get it during the orientation). You probably will have to invest money in uniform clothes, shoes, and some kind of food handler certification before you can start work. It shouldn't be more than $100 on the outside, but be prepared to spend at least $20 at the absolute minimum.
In your applications, I would emphasize that you enjoy customer service, sales, and teamwork, and that you're dependable and good under pressure. I would also give specifics (like specific figures) about your past sales experience. Try to come off as personable and articulate. There's a lot of overlap between sales, retail, and food service, so you should actually be a pretty good candidate.
posted by rue72 at 5:47 PM on September 8, 2015 [4 favorites]
I made this kind of transition a few years ago when I was about 45. My entry into this field was work as a server in a banquet hall. I originally worked for a single company to gain experience but then switched to working with agencies--very similar to temporary agencies but dedicated specifically for servers and bartenders. I'm sure they have the same thing in Toronto.
I found bartending school to be pretty useful in the fact that they showed me a bunch of tricks that I didn't already know. It was pretty much going into class and making drinks. The school I attended boasted of their placement service but I never had a need to use it. Many of my fellow bartenders tend to have more then one job.
If your experience is like mine then you're going to find that your age is an asset. People like their bartenders to be more seasoned. They also tip you more.
posted by lester at 7:30 AM on September 9, 2015
I found bartending school to be pretty useful in the fact that they showed me a bunch of tricks that I didn't already know. It was pretty much going into class and making drinks. The school I attended boasted of their placement service but I never had a need to use it. Many of my fellow bartenders tend to have more then one job.
If your experience is like mine then you're going to find that your age is an asset. People like their bartenders to be more seasoned. They also tip you more.
posted by lester at 7:30 AM on September 9, 2015
I know this may sound dumb, but I'm worried I'll get laughed at basically. My self-esteem has taken a brutal shit-kicking lately...
I barbacked for a bit, it was a lot of fun. You shouldn't need a SmartServe, you're not the one serving drinks. You're there to support the bartender so you're taking care of glassware, coasters, napkins, dirty dishes, filling ice bins, wiping down tables, etc. It's physical work, but they're not going to toss you into the busiest shift of the week until you know what you're doing, so you'll have time to adapt.
Nobody is going to laugh at you if you don't know the difference between a highball or a collins glass or something dumb like that. But there can be some hazing towards new guy, and the severity depends on the culture of that particular bar, but it never lasts very long. There's a great deal of camaraderie working in the service industry, so once you show you're there to work and not bullshit, you're in.
posted by peeedro at 8:15 PM on September 9, 2015
I barbacked for a bit, it was a lot of fun. You shouldn't need a SmartServe, you're not the one serving drinks. You're there to support the bartender so you're taking care of glassware, coasters, napkins, dirty dishes, filling ice bins, wiping down tables, etc. It's physical work, but they're not going to toss you into the busiest shift of the week until you know what you're doing, so you'll have time to adapt.
Nobody is going to laugh at you if you don't know the difference between a highball or a collins glass or something dumb like that. But there can be some hazing towards new guy, and the severity depends on the culture of that particular bar, but it never lasts very long. There's a great deal of camaraderie working in the service industry, so once you show you're there to work and not bullshit, you're in.
posted by peeedro at 8:15 PM on September 9, 2015
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