Can you drink while working as a bartender?

Asked by: Eliezer Donnelly  |  Last update: March 3, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (43 votes)

While most states don't allow drinking during work hours, there is one major exception that most places will allow. The “straw test" is a common practice in the bartending industry used to ensure the quality and taste of mixed drinks without the bartender having to consume the alcohol directly.

Can you drink while being a bartender?

The alcoholic beverage laws do not prohibit licensees or their agents or employees from drinking. However it is illegal for a drunken person to remain on licensed premises. So if a bartender became drunk the bartender could face criminal charges and the liquor license could be in jeopardy.

Can bartenders drink on the job in the US?

The alcoholic beverage laws do not prohibit licensees or their agents or employees from drinking. However it is illegal for a drunken person to remain on licensed premises. So if a bartender became drunk the bartender could face criminal charges and the liquor license could be in jeopardy.

What is the 50 rule in bartending?

What's the 50% rule in bartending? The proper time to serve customers the next cocktail is once they've consumed 50% of their drink.

Can a bartender make $1000 a week?

At any normal bar, you should expect to make anywhere from $250-300 per night in tips. Work 3 nights per week and that's already close to $1000 per week, just in tips. 5 nights per week and you can be bringing in $1500 per week just in tips alone.

Drinking on The Job as a Bartender - Yes or No?

40 related questions found

Do bartenders work 40 hours a week?

Full-time bartenders work roughly 40 hours a week, with an average shift, day or night, lasting between 10 to 12 hours. This includes set-up or breakdown time and often does not include breaks. Part-time bartenders, on the other hand, can work anywhere from a few hours to 30 hours.

Is making $1200 a week good?

$1,200 per week is $5,190 per month.

This is almost exactly what residents of Los Angeles, California, and Colorado Springs, Colorado are making each month ($5,166.52 and $5,209.52, respectively). This is a good indicator that you would be financially comfortable in these cities.

What are the 5 P's of bartending?

"We focus on the fundamentals of training. Everything from why you shake, when you muddle, to the practicalities of the job, and what we call the five 'P's of world class service: pride, passion, preparation, professionalism and presentation.

What is a dirty dump in bartending?

A “dirty dump” in bartending refers to the technique of transferring the entire contents of a cocktail shaker into a serving glass, without the use of a strainer. This method includes all the ice, as well as any muddled fruits, herbs, and other solid ingredients used in the cocktail's preparation.

Can a bartender refuse to serve a drunk person?

There are several legitimate reasons for bartenders to refuse service. For example, underage individuals, those who have over-consumed or are showing symptoms of intoxication, excessively rowdy or unruly customers, a person harassing staff or other customers, or if the establishment is at capacity.

Is it illegal for bartenders to drink while working?

In California, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages by any person while on duty in a place where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises.

Can I buy my bartender a shot?

My advice is that if a guest offers to buy a staff member a drink, you do this via a gift card credit. That allows the guest to show their generosity, the operation to capture the revenue, and the staff member to be properly rewarded with money to spend on food and beverage—just not while on the clock.

Which state pays bartenders the most?

1. Where do bartenders make the most money? Top 10 States (By basic salary)
  1. Hawaii. According to data from Zippa, Hawaii pays the highest average annual bartender salary at $36,832. ...
  2. New Jersey. ...
  3. Washington. ...
  4. 4. California. ...
  5. New York. ...
  6. Massachusetts. ...
  7. Rhode Island. ...
  8. North Dakota.

Can bartenders drink on the job in the USA?

States where bartender drinking on the job is legal include Nevada, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico, Louisiana, Missouri, Virginia, and Oregon.

Do bartenders make good money?

In California, bartenders can earn a base pay from $38,000 to $60,000 a year. The average is around $48,000. Additional pay is in the range of $19,000 to $35,000, with $28,000 as the median amount.

Can you be sober and a bartender?

All in all, each person has their challenges in being a sober bartender. But the good news is, more and more people are pulling it off—and having very successful careers without drinking. Many of those who bartend sober say they feel far healthier—and even better at their job—because of it.

What does wet mean in bartending?

‍Wet: A drink with more of the mixer and less of the alcohol than the standard recipe calls for.

Why do bartenders hate dirty martinis?

Dirty Martinis

Some bartenders have had enough, especially when the drinks are ordered dirty. One Redditor's post bemoans a lack of brine and olive specifications, while others cite the annoyance of some guests' particular specs.

What is it called when bartenders flip bottles?

Flair bartending is the practice of bartenders entertaining guests, clientele or audiences with the manipulation of bar tools (e.g. cocktail shakers) and liquor bottles in tricky, dazzling ways. Used occasionally in bars, the action requires skills commonly associated with jugglers.

What is the golden rule of bartending?

Rule #1: Be Sociable

The first rule to being a good bartender is to be friendly and sociable. You need to be approachable to make sure your customers are at ease. Of course, it doesn't mean that customers can ask you out on a date every time they go to the bar. They are just simply comfortable around them.

What does POS stand for in bartending?

The term POS in "bar POS" stands for point of sale, which refers to the physical place where sales take place in the bar in relation to how much bars make. In the past, a point of sale system would be a cash register, sometimes with a printer or scanner.

What are the fingers in bartending?

Recently, with a nod to bar history, there has been an effort to standardize the "finger pour" to 3/4 of an inch per finger in an standard old fashioned glass, which equals about one ounce per finger. This would result in two fingers equaling two ounces and so on.

What's 52k a year hourly?

If you make $52,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $25.

What if I make $900 every two weeks?

$900 biweekly is how much per year? If you make $900 per two weeks, your Yearly salary would be $23,396. This result is obtained by multiplying your base salary by the amount of hours, week, and months you work in a year, assuming you work 40 hours a week.

Is 8k a month enough to live on?

Live a Wonderful Retirement on $8,000 Per Month

When you manage your budget well, you can easily navigate your finances in retirement on $8,000 per month, even in cities with above-average costs.