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Bartender

Kaitiaki Pae Inu

Bartenders prepare and serve drinks in bars, restaurants and clubs.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a bartender. However, maths may be useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for bartenders includes work in customer service, particularly as a waiter/waitress, or experience serving drinks.

What you will do

Bartenders may do some or all of the following:

  • make, serve, and take orders for drinks
  • clean and tidy the bar area
  • check customers' identification for proof of legal drinking age
  • handle cash, EFTPOS and other payments
  • collect and wash glasses
  • operate and monitor gaming machines
  • ensure that customers don't drink too much (host responsibility)
  • help prepare and serve food.

Skills and knowledge

Bartenders need to have:

  • knowledge of types of beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks
  • drink preparation and drink service skills
  • knowledge of liquor licensing regulations.
Pay

Bartenders usually earn

$24-$25

per hour

Bar managers earn an average of

$29

per hour

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a bartender are good due to a shortage of workers.

Industry

Hospitality

Bartenders prepare and serve drinks in bars, restaurants and clubs.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a bartender you generally need to be at least 18 years old. There are no other specific requirements, as you gain skills on the job.

Bartenders may work towards a New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality – Food and Beverage (Level 3) while on the job. Industry training organisation ServiceIQ oversees workplace assessments.

Chances of getting a job

Good demand for bartenders due to a shortage of workers

Job opportunities for bartenders are good because low unemployment and an increase in job vacancies means there is a shortage of people available to do this role.

According to the Census, 4,947 bartenders worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Bartenders may work in:

  • bars and pubs
  • restaurants
  • hotels and function centres
  • nightclubs or dance venues.

Find out more about training

Hospitality New Zealand
0800 500 503 - www.hospitality.org.nz
ServiceIQ
0800 863 693 - intel@serviceiq.org.nz - www.serviceiq.org.nz

Progression and specialisations

Bartenders may progress to work as bar or duty managers.

Working conditions

Bartenders:

  • may work full time or part time. They may do shift work, and often work evenings and weekends
  • work in pubs, hotels, restaurants and clubs
  • may have to deal with rowdy or drunk people, and work in hot, noisy conditions.

Physical Requirements

Bartenders need to have:

  • good hearing
  • strong arms as they may have to lift heavy cases of drink
  • a reasonable level of stamina as they may be on their feet for long periods.

Bartenders also need to be comfortable working in confined spaces.

Useful personal qualities

Bartenders need to be:

  • friendly and polite
  • mature and honest
  • adaptable
  • able to concentrate for long periods
  • able to work well under pressure
  • able to use initiative
  • able to follow instructions
  • good at maths.

Industry

Hospitality

Bartenders prepare and serve drinks in bars, restaurants and clubs.

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