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