Anyone that runs a bar?
Anyone that runs a bar?
Author
Discussion

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Hi guys,

Bit of a strange one this, but anybody that runs a bar able to offer a bit of advice?

I've been working in a decently paid office job since I left school 5 years ago, it's alright, but ultimately offers no progression so I've decided to go back to college (I'm 21, so figure Id need to start soon).

I've handed in my notice for this job, which ends at the end of August...

my main point is:

How the hell do I go about getting myself a bar job (ideal for the hours I'l be at college) without a few years experience under my belt? It seems that most places that are willing to accept people without vast experience are looking for people a few years younger than me.

I've had some experience doing the odd shifts, covering mates and at festivals etc, but nothing really concrete.

I like to think I'm approachable, hard working etc etc, but is there anything I'm missing out on?

Cheers,

Famous Graham

26,553 posts

248 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Offer to do a few shifts for free.

Or lie about previous experience and name pubs miles away.

(Note - the latter suggestion was made to me by two of my local landlords when I mentioned the same issue before I got my current (office) job, as I found it difficult too)

ETA - where are you based?

Edited by Famous Graham on Wednesday 11th August 13:50

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Centre of glasgow,

I've put on my CV the relevant bar stuff I've done, which is albeit little. It's came to that point now where I'm considering putting down fake bar jobs I've had and seeing how I get on then.


FamilyDub

3,587 posts

188 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Try working in a proper 'pub', not some w@nky 'bar'.

It'll do nowt for your image, but these trendy bar places all seems to be staffed with people who can't ever seem to:-

1) Remember simple things - like the price of a pint, and
2) Serve people who were at the bar 'first'.

My 2p.



DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Will take what I can get to be honest, not just looking for some trendy west end bar.

a11y_m

1,861 posts

245 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Perhaps harder to find, but a job working in a bar of a restaurant is considerably easier (IMO) than working in something like a city centre bar. Might be easier to get into with less experience.

I worked in several pubs while I was at uni and much preferred it when I worked behind the bar of a posh restaurant*. Table service, mixing and preparing drinks and pulling proper pints rather than grabbing a round of bottles from a fridge. Money was just as good but work was less frantic, bonus that you don't deal directly with boozed up a**eholes. I already had a decent knowledge of drink(!) before I started, but it was a great place to learn and helped me out massively when I worked the occasional shift in the busy public bar downstairs.

  • posh for Renfrewshire: it was the Fox and Hounds in Houston...

S2red

2,548 posts

214 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
quotequote all
Bar (Think it may be Bay Horse) on RHS just down from Bath street on Renfield street looking for staff

Edited by S2red on Thursday 12th August 07:55

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
quotequote all
Cheers, will give it a look. Only thing is really I have to wait till saturday till i can go in due to this bloody job.


klimakool

592 posts

198 months

Friday 13th August 2010
quotequote all
hey i used to run a bar, if your looking to get in the door find somewhere busy and ask if they are looking for any glass collectors, bottom of the pile but gets you in and anyone who asks to start at the bttom usually gets in. shows your willing to put a hard shift in and this will then get you behind the bar when short staffed or on quiet nights for training

hope this helps

MartinD

397 posts

189 months

Friday 13th August 2010
quotequote all
Go to a Wetherspoons - they're always looking and give the best training! smile

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Monday 23rd August 2010
quotequote all
Well good news!

Had an interview yesterday, and was offered a job at a bar on bath street, training starts on wednesday.

Will be interesting as they do cocktails, and I've never made a cocktail (other than my own brand of cocktails designed to get you wasted) in my life, but quite looking forward to it!

klimakool

592 posts

198 months

Monday 23rd August 2010
quotequote all
congratulations

hope all goes well for you

SB10

558 posts

189 months

Monday 23rd August 2010
quotequote all
place next to Lloyds is it?

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Monday 23rd August 2010
quotequote all
Just across from Moskito smile

OlberJ

14,101 posts

256 months

Monday 23rd August 2010
quotequote all
I smell a Glasgow night out coming on!

Purely to see you're getting on ok D&C, moral support and all that.

beer

DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Tuesday 24th August 2010
quotequote all
You're barred mate

SB10

558 posts

189 months

Tuesday 24th August 2010
quotequote all
DazedConfused said:
Just across from Moskito smile
Thats a classy place is it no?

I'm out then smile hahaha

poprock

1,987 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th August 2010
quotequote all
DazedConfused said:
You're barred mate
That’s the bouncer’s job. You just stick to making the pretty coloured drinks.

wink

OlberJ

14,101 posts

256 months

Tuesday 24th August 2010
quotequote all
poprock said:
DazedConfused said:
You're barred mate
That’s the bouncer’s job. You just stick to making the pretty coloured drinks.

wink
biggrin

I think D&C has underestimated the fact we can be very good for his new job or very, very bad.


DazedConfused

Original Poster:

565 posts

228 months

Tuesday 24th August 2010
quotequote all
Bring it on!

Atleast...

Wait untill I've atleast got past my training shift, couple of weeks you can come wreak havoc.