21 Frequently Asked Questions In Bartender Interview [with Answers]

Sitting through an interview is one of the toughest things to do. It causes a high level of anxiety in most people, and this isn’t even surprising because the statistics reveal that public speaking is the #1 fear in society.

While you can still prepare for a public speech, Interviews are a little scarier because you don’t know what you are going to be asked. However, the good news is, you can prepare for your Bartending Interview with these 21 questions. This article discusses 21 Bartending Interview Questions and how to answer them. Check them out.

These questions help you highlight your soft and professional skills while giving them an insight into your personality.

Here are some questions that will help you prepare:

1. What Is the Most Important Skill for a Bartender? 

Bartending is a profession that needs you to have multiple skills. Most employers ask this question to understand if you have the skills they are looking for. When answering this question, make sure you highlight all your most important qualities. 

Sample Answer:“I believe that there are some important skills for a bartender. These skills include excellent customer service, knowledge of different cocktails and drinks, along with attention to detail”. 

2. What Do You Like the Most or Least about Bartending? 

Just like a coin, everything has two facets (including this bartending job). So, it is likely that there are parts of the job that you like and dislike. When answering this question, make sure you highlight the likable parts of the job more than talking about what you dislike. No hiring manager would want to hire a crybaby, so political deflection is your best option when dealing with something negative. When answering this question, make sure you tell the hiring managers everything that excites you about the job. 

Sample Answer: “There isn’t much about serving customers or working in a bar that I dislike. Certainly, some of them become loud and may be challenging to manage if they have consumed some alcohol, but I adore it all.”

3. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

This is a little tricky topic to discuss in an interview. No matter what you say, avoid criticizing your former employers. If you do, you will come across as a troublemaker who speaks trash about their superiors in private. So, be careful when answering this question. Regardless of whether you left the job or were fired, be prepared with a legitimate backstory and work with it. 

Sample Answer: “I left my job because I felt l did everything I could to do my job in the best way possible, but it simply wasn’t a good place to put those efforts anymore. I wanted to grow; hence, looking for another job seemed like a great idea”. 

4. How Do You Handle Large Crowds at Peak Hours? 

Sometimes, Bartending could turn out to be a fast-paced job. Especially around peak hours, bartenders have to multitask in order to keep you with the crowd. When answering the question, make sure you share your tips and tricks with your employer. 

Sample Answer:“I know the importance of handling large crowds in peak hours. I have experience in managing busy bars. In a situation like that, I give the most importance to stay organized. It helps in efficient and giving the customer excellent service. When dealing with such a situation, I prioritize tasks on the basis of urgency and make sure all customers are served on time. Additionally, I try to create a healthy and enjoyable environment for staff and customers alike that help reduce stress.” 

5. Do You Have any Customer Service Training?

Often employers are interested in knowing if you have the necessary skills for the bartending job. It is okay if you do not have formal training, but you can talk about things you would have learned in your previous bartending jobs and how it has helped you in your career. 

Sample Answer: “If you have service training, you can say something like “Yes, I have received extensive customer service training. I have learned and practiced different techniques for providing customers with excellent service. I understand that customers are everything to the business. So, I try to make sure they feel welcomed and appreciated while ensuring accurate and quick service”. 

6. What, According to You, Is a Great Cocktail? 

As Bartenders, you need to create unique cocktails. Employers will want to know what skills do you think you need to make a quality drink. When answering this question, make sure you point out the ingredients you use to make your cocktail special.

Sample Answer: “I believe that a good drink should taste well while pleasing the eye. You have to be able to make a drink with perfect flavors and give it a really nice presentation. So, I think a great cocktail is a drink that is perfectly balanced with great precision.”

7. What Is Your Favorite Type of Drink to Make? 

Bartenders generally have a drink that they like to make and enjoy improvising with when answering this question, including a couple of drinks you enjoy making the most. 

Sample Answer:“My favorite kinds of drinks to make and serve are classic cocktails. I enjoy making creative, special drinks for each of my customers while staying close to the roots. I believe that as a bartender, I have good knowledge of different kinds of drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and how to mix them. I take pride in being able to make all kinds of cocktails”. 

8. What are Some of Your Hobbies and Interests When Not Working?

An interview is a great place for hiring managers to get to know you, not just for your professional skills but also for the kind of person you are. This is a very personal question and gives them an insight into your personality. When answering, make sure you are open and highlight the best parts of your personality. 

Sample Answer: “Outside of work, I like spending time with my loved ones. I also enjoy outdoor activities. Moreover, I am a big fan of music and love going to concerts. But that isn’t all. In my free time, I like to read more about mixology and experiment with the flavors and ingredients”. 

9. How Would Your Friends Describe You?

This question pops up in the Bartender interview questions because employers want to know if you are friendly and outgoing. When answering, Focus more on the personality traits than the physical ones. 

Sample Answer:“I am sure my friends would describe me as a reliable, outgoing, and hardworking person. I am always ready to lend a helping hand to people in need and make sure people around me are comfortable. I use these personal qualities in my job too. I tend to make sure my customers are comfortable and feel satisfied. I am also quite organized, and that helps me stay on top of my tasks, giving me an edge when working as a bartender”. 

10. Do You Have Any Experience Working with The POS System? 

Bartenders use point-of-sale systems to keep track of sales and inventory. If you know how to use POS, it becomes an added advantage. Make sure you frame your answer well and highlight everything you know about keeping track of sales and inventory. 

Sample Answer: If you know how to use the POS system, you can say something like, “Yes, I know how to work with the POS system. I learned its functioning at my previous job, where I would process payments from customers using the system. I know many different features of this system that includes how to take an order, split checks, and apply discounts”. 

11. What Would You Do if a Customer Looks Intoxicated and Still Wants another Drink?

A big part of the job as a Bartender is to make judgment calls. When employers ask a question like this, they want to know if you would be able to handle such tricky situations. Make sure you highlight a situation when you have faced a similar situation.  

Sample Answer:“As a Bartender, my priority would be to make sure the customer is safe. I will first analyze the whole situation and communicate that I do not think consuming more alcohol is safe. I will politely but firmly establish that I cannot serve them more drinks. However, I will offer them some non-alcoholic alternatives if they’d like”. 

12. Have You Had to Deal with an Unhappy Customer?

Customer service skills are vital in a bartending job. Interviewers want to know if you understand how to deal with difficult situations and unhappy customers. Talk about a problem and how you responded to it when answering this question.

Sample Answer:“At my previous job, I had a customer who kept telling me that their drink wasn’t strong enough. However, I thought it was reasonably strong. But, I decided to deal with this situation in a polite manner where I tried to explain that the drink had ample alcohol and that if they did not like this, they could order another drink and have it made in a different way. However, the customer was frustrated enough. So, I spoke to my manager about it, who offered them a coupon for their next drink. The good news is they came back to the bar the next evening with their friend”. 

13. Tell Us About a Time when You Did Everything to Please the Customer?

Majorly people come to bars for a good time. This puts Bartenders in a position where they can make the customers’ nights enjoyable. Employers ask this question to know if you are going to go far and beyond for their customers. This is also a situational question. Make sure you explain a time when you dealt with this situation. 

Sample Answer: “I recently welcomed a customer who was celebrating their birthday at the bar. One of them mentioned that the occasion would become even more special if they had a special drink for just that. I, being the bartender, had the opportunity to make this happen for them. So, I carfted a custom cocktail recipe just for them. The customer was pleased and thanked me. This was one incident that showed me how going the extra mile for customers can pay off”. 

14. Are You Familiar with Local Alcohol Laws and Regulations? 

When dealing with substances like alcohol, it is important to be aware of local laws and regulations regarding alcohol. Employers want to know if you know about rules and how to follow them. They might ask about a particular rule. 

Sample Answer:“Yes, I know about the local alcohol laws. Being a bartender, it is important that I know about the legal requirements that come with this job. I understand the importance of it and how to maintain the safety protocols”. 

15. Have You Ever Had to Deal with an Intoxicated Customer in The Past?

Another thing that many bartenders have to face is dealing with intoxicated customers. In your answer to this question, you should be able to share an instance and the steps you took to ensure the safety of the customer while maintaining the bar name. 

Sample Answer:“Yes, I have dealt with intoxicated customers in the past. In my experience, when dealing with such a situation, it is important to stay professional and courteous. My main aim is to make sure that the customer is safe and do everything to maintain excellent service. I would keep an eye on my customers so a situation like this does not arise in the first place. However, if something like this does happen, I will make sure the customer is okay by offering them food and non-alcoholic beverages”. 

16. If You Realize a Customer Is Underage and Using a Fake I.D., What Would Your Course of Action Be?

Since making judgment calls is a big part of the Bartending job, it is important that you not only be able to judge when a customer is lying but know how to deal with this.  

Sample Answer:“If I feel that a customer is using a fake I’d, I would speak with my manager about it and follow the necessary bar protocols. If need be, I can firmly refuse to serve alcoholic drinks to that particular customer and would offer non-alcoholic ones instead”. 

17. What Would You Do if You Ran out Of One of The Ingredients for a Drink that Has Been Ordered?

When working on a professional station, this happens all the time. You run out of ingredients at the last minute. So, it is important you have a problem-solving attitude. When answering a question like this, make sure you tell them about your course of action in a situation like this. 

Sample Answer:“This happens all the time. Sometimes, when I run out of an ingredient for a drink that my customer has ordered, my first priority is to communicate the problem with my customer. So, I would apologize for this inconvenience and offer them a similar-tasting drink with some other ingredient. If they do not like these options, I will offer them a complimentary beverage or a discount when they visit next time”. 

18. Are You Up-To-Date with New Mixology Trends? 

In this fast-paced industry, employers ask questions to ensure that you are at the top of your game before they consider hiring you. You can mention the resources that help you stay updated when answering this question. 

Sample Answer:“Staying up to date is very important in this job. I prefer reading industry magazines and blogs to keep myself updated. Not only that, I regularly attend workshops and network with other people in the industry, which helps me stay informed. In this age of social media, following different bartenders and restaurants has also been helpful. I take advantage of all of these resources to stay at the top of my game”. 

19. Do You Have any Flaring Techniques? 

Flaring is a way to entertain guests and serve drinks in a creative way. Have you ever seen a bartender juggle liquor bottles from behind the bar? That is flaring. If you know this, it is going to be an added advantage on your CV. 

Sample Answer:“Yes, I happen to know a few tricks to impress my customers. My favorite flaring techniques include tin roll, classic napkin drop, and jigger tap. I am working on some other tricks that include flaming shots.”

20. Besides Making Drinks, What Other Important Things Do You Think Bartenders Do?

Bartending is a social job. More than often, you see a bartender doing way more than just serving the drinks. They have to be good at customer interaction and make the customer feel not only welcomed but comfortable. 

Sample Answer:  “A bartender wears many hats. They do not just serve drinks but sometimes act as a friend to the people they are serving. As the customers consume alcohol, their inhibitions go down, and they start to open up. This is when a Bartender has to be professional but empathetic. We act as a friend and listen to everything that the customers are saying. Many other times, customers walk into the bar to have fun. So, bartenders can easily aid to that.” 

21. Do You Have any Questions for Us?

Conclusively, most employers ask this question to know that you understand everything about this job and your role in the company. Make sure you have some questions prepared that give you an insight into the job. This will also show the hiring managers that you are serious about the job. 

Sample Answer:“Yes, I have a couple of questions. First, I would like to know what kinds of drinks are generally served in your bar. How busy the bar is usually? or what kind of training do I need before I start this job? I know that I can be an asset to your team. I have extensive experience in the industry, and I know how to work with different spirits, wines, and beers. I have great customer service skills. So, I feel that I can be a great addition to the team”. 

What are the Skills Needed to Be a Good Bartender?

1. Should be able to provide exceptional customer service. 
2. Is capable of working at a great pace and serving drinks in a fast manner. 
3. The ability to follow strict rules and procedures, keeping in mind local laws. 
4. Is confident and resilient to be able to deal with difficult customers. 
5. Has organizational skills to ensure the bar is managed well. 
6. Be physically fit. 
7. Exceptional communication skills.
8. A social and positive attitude towards work and people. 

Conclusion 

These questions will help you prepare for the important Interview.

By going through these questions, you will be prepared for all kinds of questions and impress employers in no time.

Make sure you are honest when answering the questions.

Maintain your confidence, and that will help you bag this Bartending job.