Occupational Profile

Bartender

Bartenders mix and serve drinks and control the beverages leaving the bar in cocktail lounges, restaurants and other establishments where liquor is served.

Avg. Salary $17,611.00
Avg. Wage $11.32
Minimum Education Varies
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NOC & Interest Codes

The Bartender is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Bartenders NOC 6452

Bartenders

NOC code: 6452

METHODICAL: Interest in computing to maintain inventories of bar stock, order supplies and record sales
SOCIAL: Interest in serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to patrons; and in taking beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons
directive: Interest in handling the preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for food and beverage servers; and in ensuring compliance with provincial/territorial liquor legislation and regulations; may train and supervise other bartenders and bar staff; may hire and dismiss staff

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

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Duties

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Bartenders may serve customers directly at the bar or prepare drinks to be served by other staff members. In addition to serving beer and wine, they mix ingredients such as liquor, fruit juices, cream, coffee, soft drinks, water, sugar and bitters in the right proportions to prepare cocktails and other drinks. They also may make cappuccino, espresso and other specialty coffees.

In general, the duties and responsibilities of bartenders are to:

mix and invent drinks
serve alcohol responsibly (including refusing further service when appropriate)
set up and keep the bar area clean and orderly
wash glassware and sweep up broken glass to keep bar area safe for workers and customers
change pop machine syrup and carbon dioxide tanks
change beer gas tanks and kegs
arrange displays of bar stock and glassware
prepare garnishes
serve snacks or food items to people seated at the bar
keep an inventory of liquors, wines, beers, soft drinks, cream, fruits and fruit juices
order supplies
operate computerized point-of-sale systems
collect payments for drinks and balance cash receipts
monitor video lottery terminals
promote their establishments.

In larger operations, bartenders may use machines that automatically mix and dispense drinks. However, they still need to know how to fill unusual orders and how to do the work manually if equipment is not functioning properly.

Bartenders also may have supervisory responsibilities such as:

planning, organizing and controlling the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar
co-ordinating beverage requirements with other supervisory staff
planning bar menus
assisting with advertising and promotions.

Working Conditions

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Bartenders often work nights, weekends, holidays or split shifts. They may be required to lift heavy items such as kegs of beer.

Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Bartenders need to possess:

the strength and stamina required to stand for long periods of time and lift kegs and cases of beverages
good motor co-ordination
good judgment, a responsible attitude when serving alcohol, and an ability to maintain customer satisfaction
honesty
patience
a casual yet professional appearance
the arithmetic skills required to handle money accurately
a good memory for details
good organization and mult-itasking skills
the ability to work calmly under pressure
the ability to get along well with others.

Bartenders must be able to perform their duties cheerfully, courteously and efficiently. They are expected to listen to customers sympathetically without getting personally involved. They also must co-operate with other food and beverage service workers to maintain high standards of customer service.

They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods, serving people and taking responsibility for bar operations.

Educational Requirements

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Bartenders must be at least 18 years of age. They must be able to measure accurately in order to prepare drinks quickly and without waste (especially during busy periods). Bartenders need a working knowledge of:

cocktail recipes
the characteristics of wine, beer and spirits
liquor laws
Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) policies and regulations.

Bartenders may train on the job under the direction of experienced bartenders or take related training programs. Server intervention training, food safety training and food allergy training are definite assets when looking for employment.

All staff involved in the sale and service of liquor in licensed premises (for example, owners, managers and supervisors, retailers, bartenders and servers, greeters and hosts, and security staff) must have ProServe Liquor Staff Training. This is a provincial government training program designed to ensure liquor service and sales activities are conducted with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. ProServe is available online, as a self-directed program of home study using a video and a manual, or by seminar.

In Alberta, food safety courses are offered by:

post-secondary schools (NAIT, SAIT, Red Deer College, Lethbridge College)
Alberta Health Services
the First Nations Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada
industry associations such as Restaurants Canada and, in the United States, the National Restaurant Association
private vocational schools and independent trainers.

Visit the Government of Alberta website or contact 780-427-7164 for a listing of approved food safety training options.

The Government of Alberta awards a Food Sanitation and Hygiene Certification to those who complete approved training and achieve at least 70% on a provincial exam. Food facilities generally must employ at least 1 person who is certified. Where 6 or more people are working on site, at least 1 person present must be certified. Where fewer people are working on site, the certified person may be absent.

Fine Art Bartending School offers a 1-week long professional bartending certification program in Edmonton and Calgary. The program provides hands-on training in mixocology, beer and wine service, customer service and responsible alcohol service. The program also includes the ProServe training. In addition, the school offers other ourses that may be of interest to those who are looking to enter the profession or upgrade their skills. For more information on the available training, visit the websites of the Fine Art Bartending School locations in Calgary and Edmonton.

Bartenders in formal establishments need a good working knowledge of wines. The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) and Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) offer introductory to advanced courses in wines and spirits at various locations across Canada. Courses in mixology may be offered on an as-needed basis by post-secondary schools that offer hospitality-related programs. For more information, see the Restaurant Manager occupational profile.

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

However, Tourism HR Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council or CTHRC) offers voluntary Bartender certification. Recognized across Canada, this training, which leads to a Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) designation, is accessible from the emerit website.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Bartenders are employed by:

hotels
restaurants
cocktail lounges
convention facilities
other businesses that serve alcoholic beverages.

Some bartenders in large establishments become head bartenders, wine stewards, restaurant managers, or food and beverage managers. Bertender certification earned through emerit is an asset when applying for advancement.

Some hotels offer training programs designed to prepare employees for positions such as food and beverage controller, or assistant food and beverage manager.

In Alberta, 87% of people employed as bartenders are employed in the Accommodation and Food Services (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Accommodation and Food Services industry)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
size of the occupation.

Over 4,100 Albertans are employed in the Bartenders occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 94 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Wage & Salary

Updated Mar 24, 2017

Bartenders are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6512: Bartenders.

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Bartenders occupational group earned on average from $10.46 to $12.35 an hour. The overall average wage was $11.32 an hour. For more information, see the Bartenders wage profile.

Related High School Subjects

Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Tourism