For The Love of Bartending

I remember the first time I had to bartend without someone training me and I was terrified. I was constantly asking my boss questions about cocktails I already knew but I was so nervous that I was going to get eaten alive. I made it through that night, and the next, and the next, and so on to eventually lead me to today. I am still bartending currently which makes a little over four years. It has been a huge part of my work life as it has often been a crutch to fall back on when I have struggled financially. Overall, I still love it. Crafting classic drinks, talking with customers, and being a part of an environment that is usually filled with people enjoying themselves.

As I get older, there are parts of the job that I have grown less tolerant of. For example, I have learned to hold my ground with customers that try to walk over me (usually because of my age) and developed more confidence when it comes to being sure of myself in my bartender ability. I have no love lost for rude people as well. Treating service industry workers badly is a huge red flag and it tells me that you handle your life with the same attitude.

I love the grind though, hustling to make drinks and make tips. Bartending has helped develop my social skills and I have learned to get comfortable in situations that I would not have been comfortable with as an 18-year-old. I think there is an expiration date on my time in the service industry that is approaching and when it is time to step away I will gladly step away. On the other hand, bartending is part of my identity and I don’t think I will ever stop making drinks for the people I care about.