4 Bartender Resume Examples & Templates
Create Your Resume NowA bartender does more than hand drinks over. You mix drinks, keep the bar well-stocked, and offer a friendly smile, among other things. Likewise, a bartender resume is more than a list of your past jobs. Like a perfectly shaken cocktail, it blends all resume ingredients together before serving them up to the bar manager.
Continue reading, and you’ll find a professional bartender resume example you can adjust and make your own. On top of that, you’ll learn an easy formula for writing a resume for bartending jobs that will land you 10x more bar interviews than any you’ve written in the past.
In this guide:
- A top-notch bartender resume sample to copy and use.
- How to write bartender skills on a resume that beat competition.
- Expert tips and examples to perfect your bartending resume.
- How to write a bartender resume with no experience.
We’ve analyzed over 11 million resumes created using our builder, and we’ve discovered that:
- Bartenders usually list 13 skills on their resumes.
- The most common skills for Bartenders include beverage preparation, payment processing, basic accounting, food running, and customer service.
- Resumes for Bartenders are, on average, 2.3 pages long.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
Bartender Resume Example
Lolita N. Theisen
Bartender & Mixologist
323-583-3514
lolitatheisen999@me.com
linkedin.com/in/lolitatheisen999
Summary
Professional bartender with 6+ years of experience at busy bars and pubs in the Huntington Park area. Knowledge of over 100 cocktail recipes and invented 3 new mixed beverage recipes, which increased bar revenue by 5% combined. Looking to leverage a friendly attitude and quick customer service to become the bar supervisor at The Neighborhood Dive.
Experience
Bartender
Jimmy Walker’s Bar & Grill, Huntington Park, CA
September 2020–December 2023
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Served bar and restaurant patrons ordered drinks, including beer, wine, liquors, and mixed beverages.
- Kept the bar area safe, clean, and well-stocked throughout each working shift.
- Rang up customers on the Mixway POS system and the accompanying credit card reader.
- Performed daily inventory audits and weekly product and supply orders.
Key Achievements
- Increased bar revenue by 5% by inventing 3 new cocktail recipes.
Bartender
The Irish Public House, Huntington Park, CA
June 2017–August 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Took orders for drinks from local guests and delivered them accurately and promptly.
- Operated as sole bartender on weekday shifts and with one other bartender on busy nights and weekends.
- Acted as security bouncer and kept watch for overly intoxicated customers and violent or untoward behavior.
- Performed wait staff duties for diners by taking food and snack orders and liaising with the kitchen.
Education
Majoring in Food Service Management
HP Community College Night Program, Huntington Park, CA
Estimated Graduation: 2024
Relevant Coursework: Food Service Management, Wine Pairing, Restaurant
Logistics and Inventory, Bar Management & Operations, Restaurant Finance and Accounting.
Skills
- Customer Service Skills
- Knowledge of Variety of Drink Recipes
- Wine & Food Pairing
- Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards
- Physical Endurance, Stamina & Strength
Membership(s)
- The United States Bartenders Guild (USBG)
- The National Bartenders Association (NBA)
- The International Bartenders Association (IBA)
Entry-Level / Junior Bartender Resume Example
An entry-level/junior bartender is a starting position in the field of bartending. Their primary role is to assist in serving drinks, maintaining the bar area, and providing excellent customer service. Junior bartenders typically work under the supervision of more experienced bartenders, gaining essential skills and experience. They’re responsible for preparing basic drinks, keeping the bar clean, and ensuring that patrons have a positive experience. This position is ideal for individuals new to the industry who are eager to learn and grow their skills in a dynamic environment.
Here’s a sample for an entry-level bartender resume:
Jessica M. Brown
Junior Bartender
555-159-4307
jessica.brown@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jessicabrown
Summary
Enthusiastic junior bartender with a passion for mixology and customer service. Recently completed a bartending certification course and eager to apply my skills in a fast-paced bar environment. Known for my quick learning ability and friendly demeanor.
Experience
Bartender Trainee
Sunset Bar & Grill, Los Angeles, CA
March 2023–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Assisted senior bartenders in preparing and serving drinks.
- Learned and memorized over 50 drink recipes.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the bar area.
- Provided excellent customer service to patrons.
Key Achievement:
- Successfully completed bartending certification with top marks.
Education
Bartending Certification
Los Angeles School of Bartending, Los Angeles, CA
Completed: March 2022
High School Diploma
Los Angeles High School, Los Angeles, CA
Graduation: 2020
Skills
- Customer Service
- Knowledge of Drink Recipes
- Basic Mixology
- Cleanliness and Organization
- Quick Learning
Languages
- English—Fluent
Interests
- Mixology
- Music
Mid-Level Bartender Resume Example
A mid-level bartender has several years of experience and takes on more responsibilities than an entry-level bartender. This position involves crafting complex cocktails, managing inventory, and providing exceptional service to guests. Mid-level bartenders often handle busier shifts and may be responsible for training new bartenders. They also contribute to creating drink menus and may take on additional tasks such as coordinating events or promotions. This role is suited for bartenders who have developed a strong foundation and are looking to advance their careers by taking on more challenging tasks and leadership opportunities.
Find a sample for mid-level bartenders:
Michael T. Green
Bartender
145-715-3923
michael.green@email.com
linkedin.com/in/michaelgreen
Summary
Experienced bartender with over 6 years of experience in high-volume bars and restaurants. Skilled in crafting unique cocktails and providing excellent customer service. Proven ability to increase sales and improve customer satisfaction. Seeking to join The Rooftop Lounge to bring innovative drink recipes and exceptional service to the team.
Experience
Bartender
Cityscape Lounge, San Francisco, CA
June 2020–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Crafted and served a variety of cocktails, beers, and wines to patrons.
- Managed inventory and placed orders to ensure the bar was fully stocked.
- Trained new bartenders on company policies and drink preparation.
- Created seasonal drink menus that increased sales by 20%.
Key Achievements:
- Increased repeat customer visits by 30% through personalized service.
- Boosted bar revenue by 15% by introducing new cocktail specials.
Bartender
Blue Wave Bar, San Francisco, CA
July 2018–June 2020
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Prepared and served drinks in a busy bar environment.
- Provided friendly and efficient service to customers.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Handled cash and credit transactions accurately.
Key Achievements:
- Reduced wait times by 25% during peak hours by optimizing workflow.
- Maintained a 98% customer satisfaction rating through excellent service.
Education
BFA – Hospitality Management
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
August 2014–May 2018
Relevant Coursework: Hospitality Management, Beverage Management,
Customer Service, Restaurant Operations
GPA: 3.9
Skills
- Customer Service
- Mixology
- Inventory Management
- Team Training
- Drink Menu Creation
Certifications
- TIPS Certification – Training for Intervention Procedures, 2019
Languages
- English—Fluent
- Spanish—Intermediate
Interests
- Craft Cocktails
- Traveling
Experienced / Senior Bartender Resume Example
A senior bartender holds a high-level position within the bartending team. They have extensive experience and expertise in mixology, staff management, and customer service. Senior bartenders are responsible for leading the bartending team, developing and implementing new drink menus, and ensuring the overall quality of service at the bar. They mentor junior bartenders, manage inventory and supplier relationships, and play a key role in planning and executing special events and promotions.
Here, you can see a resume example for experienced bartenders:
Larry Hills
Senior Bartender
589-302-4399
larry.hills@email.com
linkedin.com/in/larryhills
Summary
Highly skilled senior bartender with over 15 years of experience in upscale bars and restaurants. Expertise in mixology, staff management, and customer service. Proven track record of increasing sales and customer satisfaction through innovative drink recipes and excellent service. Seeking a leadership role at The Pinnacle Lounge to leverage my extensive experience and mentor junior bartenders.
Experience
Senior Bartender
The Grand Hotel Bar, New York, NY
March 2010–Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Led a team of 10 bartenders to deliver exceptional service.
- Developed and implemented new cocktail menus, increasing sales by 25%.
- Managed inventory and supplier relationships to ensure efficient operations.
- Trained and mentored junior bartenders, improving overall team performance.
Key Achievements:
- Increased bar revenue by 30% through strategic drink promotions and upselling.
- Maintained a 99% customer satisfaction rating over 10 years.
Bartender
Skyline Bar, New York, NY
April 2008–March 2010
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
- Prepared and served high-quality drinks to patrons.
- Collaborated with management to plan special events and promotions.
- Ensured compliance with all health and safety regulations.
- Managed cash flow and financial reporting for the bar.
Key Achievements:
- Played a key role in organizing events that boosted sales by 20%.
- Received the “Best Bartender” award for outstanding service in 2009.
Education
BFA – Hospitality Management
New York University, New York, NY
August 2004–May 2008
Relevant Coursework: Beverage Management, Customer Service, Restaurant
Operations, Business Management
GPA: 4.0
Skills
- Customer Service
- Advanced Mixology
- Staff Management
- Inventory Management
- Financial Reporting
Certifications
- Certified Sommelier – Court of Master Sommeliers, 2015
- TIPS Certification – Training for Intervention Procedures, 2018
Languages
- English—Fluent
- French—Intermediate
Awards
- Best Bartender – Skyline Bar, 2009
Interests
- Wine Tasting
- Culinary Arts
Resume Templates for Bartenders
We’ve analyzed 11 million resumes made in the Zety Resume Builder. Here are the top three picks of bartenders’ resume templates.
Concept
Concept is a one-column, eye-catching resume template that’s highly readable and stylish. With a mighty bar on the left-hand side, it’s impossible to skip. Add a great-looking resume header with your name written in big letters, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a great resume!
Cascade
Cascade is a modern resume template that shows your skills and achievements in a two-column layout. That allows you to sneak more information while keeping a one-page resume template readable for the recruiters.
Crisp
Despite being a minimalist resume template, Cubic still stands out among other documents. Its sleek layout and eye-catching resume icons in a two-column format make it a great choice for professionals.
Now, here’s our recipe for a perfectly-mixed bartender resume.
How to Write a Bartender Resume
1. Lay Out a Bartender Resume Template Properly
You wouldn’t just guess a drink recipe you’ve never made before, right? Exactly. Don’t guess how to put together a bartending resume, either. Before we start writing a resume, let’s see what it’s supposed to look like!
Here’s how to format a resume for bartender jobs:
- Layout: stick with the tried-and-true reverse chronological format.
- Subheadings: make them bold so bar managers find what they’re looking for quickly.
- Fonts: pick resume fonts that are easy to make out.
- Font sizes: regular text sections should use 11pt or 12pt sized font.
- Margins: leave a 1” margin on each side of your mixologist resume.
- Line spaces: adhere to single line spacing to give you enough room for everything.
- Sections: white space aplenty keeps it easy on their eyes.
- File types: save in the PDF format unless the bartending job description says otherwise.
- Best resume template: Use a modern one if you're applying to less conservative places. If you're planning to use Google Docs resume templates or other free resume templates, make sure they are ATS-compliant.
Here is what to put on a bartending resume:
- Header: appropriate contact details (e.g., address, job title, email).
- Summary of qualifications and skills: short paragraph with why you’re the top-shelf choice for the bartending job.
- Work experience: detailed history of past job duties in bullet-point format neatly lined up like a row of shot glasses.
- Education: a quick recap of academic history (e.g., high school, college, bartending school).
- Skills: list of bartending-relevant skills and drink-slinging abilities.
- Extra sections: certificates, licenses, languages, etc.
Read more on resume formatting: How to Select the Perfect Resume Format
2. Start With the Bartender Resume Work Experience Section
Between 2018 and 2028, there’s going to be an increase of 8% in bartending jobs. Though this might not sound like much, it equals an additional 52,200 new bartenders being hired in the United States alone.
The bar is set high—you’ll have to win the bar owner over with a work experience section as powerful as a shot of moonshine.
Here’s the ideal strategy:
- List your current or most recent job first, and then go back in reverse chronological order from there.
- Add your past job title, the name of the bar or company, its location, and the dates you were employed there.
- Give 5 or 6 bullet points detailing your past job requirements in a way that’s tailored to the bartending job you’re applying for.
- Throw in a numbered achievement, like adding garnish to a drink to quantify your bar job accomplishments.
- Open each bullet point with an action verb for maximum kick.
Here are some responsibilities examples to use on a bartender's resume:
Bartender Keywords for a Resume
- Craft and serve cocktails, beer, and wine to patrons.
- Develop new drink recipes and seasonal menus.
- Provide excellent customer service in a high-volume environment.
- Manage bar inventory and place orders with suppliers.
- Train and mentor new bartenders.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Handle cash and credit transactions accurately.
- Maintain a clean and organized bar area.
- Monitor customer behavior to ensure responsible alcohol consumption.
- Plan and execute special events and promotions.
- Collaborate with kitchen staff to provide food and drink pairings.
- Use POS systems to process orders and payments.
- Upsell premium products to increase sales.
- Resolve customer complaints and issues promptly.
- Conduct regular inventory audits and stock counts.
And, here are some action verbs to use on a bartender's resume to effectively convey your responsibilities and achievements:
Bartender Resume Action Verbs
- Crafted
- Served
- Developed
- Managed
- Trained
- Ensured
- Handled
- Maintained
- Monitored
- Planned
- Collaborated
- Used
- Upsold
- Resolved
- Conducted
Read further on describing work history: How to Document Employment Experience on Resumes
3. Enter Your Education (It’s Not That Straightforward!)
The most specialized major for bartenders is Personal & Culinary Services. Showing that on your resume can only work for your benefit. But even if your major isn't related to your profession, it's always important to properly show it on your resume.
Here’s what to include in your bartender resume education section:
- Degree earned
- Relevant coursework
- Certifications (if not listed separately)
- Honors and distinctions (optional)
Read More: How to Add Education on a Resume
4. List Bartending Skills Relevant to the Bar Position You’re After
You can twirl a flaming bottle of vodka in the air and catch it behind your back while wiping a spill from the counter with your other hand. You’ve got great bartender skills. But which strengths ought to be placed on a resume?
Here’s how to go about it:
- Identify skills-related resume keywords by carefully studying the bartender's job description.
- Create a list of the general food service and bartender skills you have.
- Make a bartender's resume skills section by including abilities that appeared in both of the previous two steps.
- Keep it short and strong, like a shot of 151—no more than 5-10 bartender skills on a resume for bar jobs.
- Include hard skills and soft skills alike to round out a resume for bartenders.
Let’s look at a few everyday bartending resume skills:
25+ Bartender Skills for a Resume
- Popular Beverage Recipes
- Food & Wine Pairing
- Providing Beverage Suggestions
- Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)
- Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards
- Health & Hygiene Protocols
- Maintaining Tidy & Sanitary Bar Area
- Ability to Defuse Tense Situations
- Great Recall & Memory
- Excellent Organizational Skills
- Physical Endurance
- Stamina and Strength
- Barware, Glassware, Bar Utensils & Equipment
- Point-of-Sale (POS) & Credit Card Terminals
- Initiative-Taking
- Active-Listening Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Marketing Skills
- Communication Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Time-Management Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Technical Proficiency
- Decision-Making Skills
- Critical-Thinking Skills
- Multitasking Skills
Learn more about what to include in that resume section: Skills on a Resume:
5. Show, Don’t Tell: Add “Extra” Sections to Your Bartending Resume
For some drinks, adding that tiny paper umbrella on top is the perfect way to finish it off before serving it up. On resumes for bartender jobs, extra sections help it to stand out from all the other candidates and make for a fine presentation.
Here are a few examples of bartending resume additional sections to think about:
Certifications may be useful on a bartender's resume, especially in areas where a particular license is needed to serve alcohol. Examples include a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit, a state-granted alcohol-serving license, or the “Responsible Serving of Alcohol” certification.
2. Volunteer History on a Resume
While any volunteer work may score you points with whichever deity you pray to, a few also help you score bartending jobs. Relevancy is always key, so helping out at a soup kitchen (food service) will trump volunteering at an animal shelter.
Are you fluent in a second language? This looks great on any bartender's resume, especially if the bar is located in an area with a lot of native speakers of that language. And knowing how to say “Cheers!” in 10 languages is always a handy bartending skill.
Do you brew beer at home as a hobby? That could be a helpful tidbit to list on a bartending resume. However, leave off items such as your passion for web programming, interest in beekeeping, or any other non-relevant pastime.
Read more: "About Me" on a Resume: How to Describe Yourself?
6. Blend the Freshest Ingredients Together Into a Bartender Resume Objective or Summary
Like the head on a well-poured stout, a resume profile floats on top and lets them know what’s underneath is quality stuff. But which one to use?
- Use the career summary when you have kegfuls of bartender job experience. A bartender resume summary shows off your drink-making skills, behind-the-bar experience, and cocktail-mixing background as a professional bartender.
- Use the career objective when you have as much alcohol experience as a teetotalling minor. The career objective statement expresses your bartending career goals and includes past accomplishments with numbers to quantify your success.
Read more: How to Write a Compelling Resume Introduction
7. Write and Attach a Bartender Cover Letter
Cover letters are important because they help explain missing details from your resume and allow your personality to shine through. Like a college student heading to a bar without ID, forget your cover letter at your own peril.
Here’s how to write a cover letter for a bartender:
- Format a cover letter first, just as you did when starting the resume.
- Write a cover letter intro that tingles their taste buds and makes them want to get to know you.
- Go into detail on your bartending skills, previous experience, and career history.
- Give quantifiable accomplishments on a cover letter for bartenders, as well.
- Close the cover letter with a general sign-off and request for them to read your resume.
For some helpful general advice: Top Cover Letter Tips & Advice for Success
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
We’re about to get to the guide, but first, here are several other resume examples similar to bartending jobs:
- Restaurant Resume
- Restaurant General Manager Resume
- Serving Resume
- Waitress Resume
- Waiter Resume
- Bar Management Resume
- Restaurant Server Resume
- Fine Dining Resume
- Barista Resume
- Starbucks Resume
- Barback Resume
- Chef Resume
- Cook Resume
- Fast Food Worker Resume
- Food Service Worker Resume
- Line Cooking Resume
- Best Resume Examples
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