Bartender
Prepare and serve drinks to customers in licensed bars or establishments.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
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5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Bartender?
- How to become a Bartender
- Latest Bartender jobs
- Top skills and experience for Bartenders
- Is Bartender the right role for you?
- Bartender role reviews
What's it like to be a Bartender?
Bartenders prepare and serve food and drinks, (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) to customers in licensed bars. Bartenders can work in pubs, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, resorts, casinos and offices. Bartenders are required to interact with people, so having strong interpersonal and customer service skills may assist you in landing a job.Did you find this video helpful?
Tasks and duties
- Preparing, mixing and serving cocktails, wine, beer, cider, soft drinks, water and coffee.
- Cleaning and maintaining the bar area, especially where food and drinks are prepared.
- Taking and handling payments for orders.
- Collecting and washing glasses.
- Tapping kegs and cleaning beer lines.
- Maintaining compliance with liquor regulations and workplace health and safety laws.
- Liaising with a Bar Manager and security if an incident occurs.
How to become a Bartender
To become a Bartender, you need a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. On-the-job training is usually provided.
- 1.Gain a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate by completing a short course. These are available through TAFEs, hospitality schools and private training institutes.
- 2.If you plan to work at a gaming venue, you’ll need a Responsible Service of Gaming (RSG) certificate too. Some training providers offer combined courses with RSA and RSG certification.
- 3.Consider broadening your skills by completing a Certificate II in Hospitality (SIT20316) or Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT30616) which will prepare you for roles in the hospitality industry.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Bartenders.Latest Bartender jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Bartender jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Bartender employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Cocktail Preparation
Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate
Food and Beverage Services
Loyalty Programs
Bartending
Hospitality
Guest Experience
Customer Service
Team Work
Confidence
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Bartender reviews
3.0Oct 2024
I like serving different drinks, improving my language and making customers happy, so they have a great time.
Reviewer's QualificationNational Certificate II in Barista
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeMedium (20-199 employees)
SpecialisationHospitality & Tourism
The good thingsBeing bartender and waitress can help you to be more patience, tolerate the frustration and improve your language. I like to have conversation with the customers, learning how to prepare new cocktails...
The challengesIt’s very overwhelming, the salary in the most of the restaurants is not good enough, they can cut your hours in the last minute and the possibilities to be promoted are so low, even if you are great ...
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4.0Apr 2025
Delivering exceptional bar experiences through expert mixology, leadership, and customer-centric service
Reviewer's QualificationGeneral Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level)
Experience1 – 4 years
Organisation sizeSmall (1-19 employees)
SpecialisationHospitality & Tourism
The good thingsWorking as a bartender can be an exciting way to interact with lots of different people, work in an exciting industry and learn new skills. It's often helpful to learn more about the job first. By rev...
The challengesAs a bartender, I face challenges like managing high-pressure shifts, handling difficult customers, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. I must multitask, juggling orders and conversations...
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SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au