Career Suggestion

Bar person

Bar staff serve drinks in venues like pubs, clubs, bars, hotels and restaurants.

Average salary (a year)

£19000.0 to £24000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

30.0 to 40.0 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge needed as a bar person. This might help you to find work in the industry. Courses include:

  • introduction to employment in the hospitality industry
  • food and beverage service
  • hospitality

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Catering and Hospitality Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship, or Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got some of the relevant skills, experience and knowledge needed for this role.

Employers will look for strong customer service skills, good communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.

More Information

Career Tips

Some salaries include a basic rate plus a share of tips left by customers.

Further Information

You can find out more about careers in the hospitality and drinks industry from Caterer.com and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • a good memory
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 to sell alcohol and other restricted goods

Day-to-day tasks

As a bar person, you could:

  • greet customers and create a welcoming atmosphere
  • take orders and handle cash and card payments
  • serve drinks at the bar or at the table
  • keep the bar area clean and well stocked
  • give advice on drinks to suit customers' tastes
  • collect glasses and wash up

Working environment

You could work in a pub or bar, at a restaurant, in a hotel or at a social club.

Your working environment may be noisy and crowded.

You may need to wear a uniform.

With experience, you could progress to supervisor, deputy bar manager or bar manager.

You could also become a publican , or bar manager for a hotel chain.

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