How much do bartenders make per shift?
Asked by: Melvin O'Conner | Last update: June 1, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (65 votes)
A slow night in a low-range to mid-range bar can get you $40 per shift, but on hectic nights, you can take home up to $200 to $500. Bartenders working in upscale venues can earn anywhere between $100 to $1000 a shift.
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.
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.
Does bartending make good money?
A professional bartender's income is based largely on the establishment they work and where they are located geographically. Some bartenders might only make $20 -- $25 per hour, while other high-end bartenders can make over $100 per hour or more if they work in a busy club or high-volume bar.
How much do bartenders make an hour without tips?
Without tips, bartenders make an average of $12.55 per hour or $26,094 per year. This sum will change depending on a wide range of variables, such as location, bar theme, specific jobs, possession of a bartending license, available bartending equipment, and more.
Bartender Salary: How Much Do Bartenders REALLY Make?
Do bartenders live off tips?
Servers and bartenders live off their tips
It's kinda like doing the splits on a crate of dynamite (running around for hours between tables with little to no breaks, balancing hot, heavy plates, and remembering orders like a machine), all while keeping a smile on your sweaty face.
Why do servers make 2.13 an hour?
Why do servers only make $2.13 an hour? Servers only make $2.13 per hour in direct wages because the money they earn through tips usually exceeds the federal minimum wage.
Is bartending a stressful job?
The Cons You Need To Know About Bartending
I asked a few of my bartender mates what the most stressful elements of their jobs were and they literally all said the same thing: Dealing with difficult customers, trying to work a busy shift when you're short staffed and the erratic and often long hours.
What is the average tip out for bartenders?
Restaurant Tip Sharing Calculator
An option is for servers to tip out supporting staff a specific percentage of their tips. This percentage is usually set by the manager and is non-negotiable. Typically, the bartender will receive 10% and another 25–30% will be split amongst the remaining staff.
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.
How many counts is a 2 oz pour?
How Many Counts Is a 2 Oz Pour? A 2-ounce pour is 4 counts using a pour spout. So you'll count “one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand, four one-thousand” and stop.
Can I make 100k as a bartender?
While it might be challenging, it is not impossible for bartenders in high-end establishments or busy locations, with substantial tips, to earn $100k or more annually.
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How many hours do bartenders work per day?
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.
Can you make a living bartending?
I have personally been a bartender in many establishments from a busy corporate restaurant making $80k a year to a piano bar making $120K a year. You can make great money in a variety of places (think dive bar, country club, golf course, restaurants, clubs) depending on the shifts you are given.
Is bartending good pay?
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.
What is the best state to bartend in?
Best-Paying States for Bartenders
The states and districts that pay Bartenders the highest mean salary are District of Columbia ($59,850), Washington ($57,710), New York ($56,140), Hawaii ($52,140), and Arizona ($50,870).
Why do bartenders give free shots?
Generally, the only reason a drink or shot “on the house” is offered is because you've already been a pretty good guest. Whether you've been paying for your drinks as you go, and tipping well, or have just been polite and courteous to the bartender.
Is bartending a low skill job?
Furthermore, bartenders are expected to possess a wide range of skills beyond simply mixing drinks. They must have extensive bartending knowledge of different types of alcohol, spirits, wines, and cocktails, as well as the ability to recommend and pair beverages with customers' preferences.
Are bartending jobs worth it?
Bartending has many benefits, including an active job environment and the potential for good tips, a strong job outlook, the chance to socialize with a diverse group of patrons, and since many bartenders work at night, you're typically free during the day.
Is $20 an hour good in Texas?
$20 An Hour Salary in Texas. $52,700 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $64,200 is the 75th percentile.
Do bartenders make more than servers?
Additionally, a server has an average salary of $29,901, which is higher than the $26,362 average annual salary of a bartender. The top three skills for a bartender include wine, bartending and exceptional guest. The most important skills for a server are wine, customer service, and guest satisfaction.
What state has the lowest minimum wage?
State Minimum Wages Summary
Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.