Banquet Bartending – the most under appreciated type of bartending ever! Banquet bartending is a great place to get your bartending start – and add additional income to your monthly salary. Watch the video below, and then see my additional notes.
There are only two lessons in Section 14 here: This Introductory lesson and Lesson 2 that really gets into it. The reason that it’s a shorter section is that there is so much about banquet bartending that is the same as regular bartending. BUT – there’s some really cool stuff that’s new in the next lesson and I really want you to consider banquet bartending as your first position.
So, why don’t more bartending schools suggest this type of bartending? Because they’re in on the hype:
- You can be a nightclub bartender in one week!
- Earn $500 per shift bartending!
- I’ll show you how to get your first bartending job in 24 hours!
- You don’t need any bartending experience (Party true – with caveats)
- We’ll provide you a list of bartending jobs! (Neglecting to add banquet bartending jobs)
It goes on and on. But allow me to let you in on a little secret: Banquet bartending jobs can be easier to get (especially for those of you with no experience), they have more flexibility, and you can, many times, make much more money in a shorter period of time.
Banquet bartending is a huge business. Get a piece of it!
So, what is banquet bartending? Banquet bartending is very much like regular bartending except that you work events or functions instead of a regular shift behind the bar. And, you’ll probably be working at a Hotel. It’s that simple.
Advantages of Banquet Bartending
- Shorter shifts
- Easier to get a bartending job – even with no experience
- Very easy to get your foot in the door (in different positions)
- Easier to transition to the front bar
- Consistent wages/salary
- Much more diverse customers
- Tip Pools (Yes, sometimes tip pools are a huge “plus”)
- Networking opportunities are fantastic
- New laws forbidding management and supervisors in the tip pools
Below is a general list of the types of functions (or events), who offers banquet-style bars, and positions you can start off at to springboard into bartending.
Who Attends Banquet Bar Functions?
- Weddings
- Bar Mitzvah
- Quinceañera
- Sport Groups
- Car Fanatics
- Most any type of Professional Groups
- Accountants
- Real Estate Agents/Brokers
- Insurance Agents
- Ceremonies
- Any kind of Celebration
- Charitable gatherings
- Birthday parties
- Workplace training sessions
- Formal business dinners
- Academic conferences
- Any type of social gathering
Types of Places that Have Banquet Bars
- Hotels
- Motels
- Sports Arenas
- Conventions
- Fairs
- Racetracks
- Hotel off-site functions
- Local city/town gatherings
- Amusement Parks
- Colleges/Universities
- Parks & Recreation Departments
- Golf & Tennis Clubs
- Regular bars may have a “banquet” room
- Private house/gatherings
Below is a List of Positions at Most Hotels/Motels
I have posted this elsewhere in the course, and it doesn’t hurt to jog your memory here. Any of these jobs can be a springboard to a good bartending position:
- Food Server
- Cocktail Server
- Cook
- Prep Cook
- Dishwasher
- Busser
- Barback
- Host/Hostess
- Expediter
- Anything in “Banquets”
- Room Attendant
- Valet (Parking)
- Houseperson (sets everything up for a banquet/event)
- Front Desk Agent
- Reservations Agent
- Concierge
- Bell Attendant
- Pool Server
- Banquet/Event sales position
- Maintenance Person
- Janitorial/Custodial Person
- Front Office Employee (Almost any position)
If you really need a job fast – go out and apply at a hotel!
In the next lesson, I’m going to give you a run-down on what banquet bartending is all about – the similarities as well as differences to “regular” bartending.
If you’re following along in the Basic Bartending Course:
Next Lesson: All About Banquet Bartending
Previous Lesson: Bartender Benefits
Back to the Course Start Page: Basic Bartending Course