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Bar person

Alternative titles for this job include Bartender

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

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

30 to 40 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Meet Gabe

As a bar supervisor, Gabe enjoys working in a customer facing role and meeting new people.

1 minute 30 second watch

View transcript

Hello, I'm Gabe and I’m a bar supervisor here at The Old Shoe in Sheffield.

Previously to here, I've worked in hospitality for about 5, 6 years and I've really enjoyed it. Meeting new people, meeting your regulars, getting to know them, knowing about people's lives. And it's nice to chat with people and have a rapport with them, and also having an interest in what you're doing as well.

First things first, we check what fantastic beers we've got on. Have a little taste of them all. You’ve got to know what you're selling to sell it to people. Check our orders, see if they've arrived. Check our cellar. Check everything's turned on, correct, working.

We go through all the stock we have, stock things up, check dates, check everything we’ve got. And we basically aim to give fantastic customer service to people who want to be customers.

I think being highly personable to people, understanding what they're talking about, having a passion for what you're selling is really important in this job role. Like an eye for detail, looking out, seeing what people are drinking and seeing what they might enjoy. Checking on people.

Basically it’s just really customer facing and you want to give people the best opportunity they have to enjoy the place that they’re in.

It’s a very rewarding place to gain skills in and have a future in. There’s different roles. So if you're not, if you don't particularly enjoy the customer facing side of thing, there's loads of other stuff, marketing, brewing, loads of different bits and like easy to do, easy to get into, as long as you just have a lot of passion and are willing to put a bit of time into it really.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This usually takes about 1 year to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

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

More Information

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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: SHREWSBURY

Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: CAMBRIDGE
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Food and Beverage Service Supervision

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Wakefield

Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision

  • Provider: NORTH WARWICKSHIRE AND SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: NUNEATON
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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