9 Bartender Resume Examples
Written By
Samuel Johns
Reviewed By Conrad Benz
Then, round out your application with a bartender cover letter and show employers why you're the best choice for the job.
Bartender resumes by experience level
Want something different? Check out our vast collection of resume templates.
Bartender Cover Letter & Related Resumes
View All Resume Samples
Bartender resume template (text format)
[Your Name]
[Your Address], New York, NY
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
Lead Bartender with 4+ years of experience in cocktail preparation and creation, and a bartending license certified by the District of Columbia. Possess a deep knowledge of local craft beers, wine, spirits, and cocktails, as well as their optimal food pairings. Seeking to leverage my bartending skills to fulfil the Head Bartender position at your restaurant.
- Mixology
- POS systems
- Organized team player
- Exceptional people skills
- Attention to detail
Gilly’s Sports Bar | Washington, DC | May 20XX – August 20XX
- Introduced a “Cocktail of the Month” promotion to our menu that was well received by customers and increased monthly sales by 3%
- Trained 3 brand new bartenders on all aspects of the job from drink preparation and knowledge to building valuable customer relationships and upselling techniques
- Reduced inventory losses by 7.4% by managing our beverage inventory with innovative beverage management software
Capital Bar & Grill | Washington, DC | August 20XX – April 20XX
- Increased number of regular customers by building rapport with new customers and providing the highest quality of service
- Took food orders from guests at the bar and recommended beverage pairings to accompany their dishes, boosting spending by an average of $17 per ticket
- Memorized over 100 cocktail recipes and drink variations, with demonstrated mastery of each
Resume Genius University | BS in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Graduation Date: May 20XX
- Bartender License, 20XX
- TIPS Certification, 20XX
Bartender resume examples by role type
Here are some more resume examples to inspire you when writing your bartender resume:
Barback resume
Barbacks support bartenders and mixologists by cleaning and restocking products during service. Here’s what a good barback resume example should look like:
Why this example works
- Clear format: This resume format focuses on the applicant’s professional experience
- Showcases certifications: This barback has two certifications required by their state
- Demonstrates experience: The candidate shows employers what kind of places they’ve worked at and details their experience using numbers
Bar manager resume
Bar managers supervise other bartenders and need to make rosters, manage customer complaints, and lead a team. Here’s a bar manager resume example that demonstrates these skills:
Why this example works
- Quantifies achievements: This bartender uses numbers, like how many customers they served, to show what they’re capable of
- Showcases leadership skills: This candidate specifies how many bartenders they supervised and highlights their leadership skills, like training and performance evaluation
- Highlights impressive education: Mentioning their BS in Hotel Management goes a long way in highlighting their depth of knowledge and dedication to the industry
Nightclub bartender resume
Nightclub bartenders must balance speed and quality in a distracting environment with high customer volume. Here’s an example resume for a nightclub bartender that demonstrates this experience:
Why this example works
- Tailored to the specific job: Tailoring your resume to the specific job (nightclub bartender) makes it stand out from other applicants
- Showcases certifications: This applicant has two mixology-related certifications, which shows employers that they are qualified and experienced
- Highilghts customer volume: This candidate specifies how many customers they served per night in the first bullet point of each job listed, which immediately shows hiring managers that they’re capable of working in a high-volume nightclub
Cocktail bartender resume
A cocktail bartender needs to prioritize quality and the development of specific mixology skills. They need to be familiar with the repertoire of classic cocktails and create customized drinks based on their customers’ tastes. Here’s a cocktail bartender resume example that shows these skills:
Why this example works
- Highlights relevant certification: This applicant wants to work on cruise ships and includes a certification (STCW) that’s essential for this job
- Demonstrates mixology skills: As well as mentioning their mixology skills in the skills section, this candidate proves it in their experience section by mentioning how they came up with 40 new cocktail recipes
- Shows leadership potential: The candidate mentions they’ve trained new hires and maintained health code compliance, which shows that they’re ready for a leadership position
Banquet bartender resume
Banquet bartenders work at organized events and need to adapt to different types of bar set-ups and customer profiles. Have a look at this banquet bartender resume example to see how to showcase your adaptability:
Why this example works
- Uses hard numbers: This applicant demonstrates their experience by stating they’ve worked as a bartender at 250+ events
- Demonstrates bartending skills: By highlighting specific bartending skills in their bullet points, this candidate shows employers how they’ve used these skills in previous roles
- Emphasizes customer service: Customer service skills are emphasized throughout the resume summary and work experience sections
Hotel bartender resume
Hotel bartenders need to build a rapport with regulars at the hotel bar, as well as entertain visitors to the area. Here’s a sample hotel bartender resume that shows strong customer interaction and mixology skills:
Why this example works
- Includes relevant certifications: This candidate has a diploma in Hospitality Management and has bartending and alcohol training (TIPS) certifications/li>
- Demonstrates strict compliance with law: This candidate emphasizes their commitment to only serving alcohol to customers 21 years or older
- Showcases career progression: Their job titles show that they progressed to a senior bartender, and specify their training and supervision responsibilities
You can download these bartender resume examples in PDF format to use as a guide when making you own resume:
- Bar manager resume example (PDF)
- Nightclub bartender resume example (PDF)
- Cocktail bartender resume example (PDF)
- Banquet bartender resume example (PDF)
- Hotel bartender resume example (PDF)
Average bartender salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.
Average bartender annual salaries by state
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| California | $34,700 |
| New York | $45,980 |
| Florida | $29,910 |
| Texas | $27,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $22,740 |
| Illinois | $29,660 |
| Ohio | $27,440 |
| Georgia | $27,850 |
| North Carolina | $33,160 |
| Michigan | $31,010 |
| National Average | $30,077 |
How to write a bartender resume
Follow our 4 tips to write your job-winning bartender resume:
1. Highlight skills and keywords from the job description
Mention specific keywords from the job ad itself to show that you’re the right fit. We’ve analyzed 2918 real bartender job posts, and here are the top keywords to include in your resume:
Data
| Keywords | Count |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 774 |
| Teamwork | 774 |
| Food & Beverage | 731 |
| Bar Area | 583 |
| Communication Skills | 554 |
| Guest Service | 506 |
| Fast-paced Environment | 496 |
| Bartending Experience | 398 |
| Flexible Schedule | 384 |
| Clean & Organized | 361 |
If you’re applying as a mixologist without specific bartending experience, then focus on bartending skills and specific cocktails that demonstrate your mixology skills:
Bartender resume skills
- Soft drink preparation
- Inventory management
- POS (Point of Sale) system operation
- Keg tapping and maintenance
- Beer and wine knowledge
- State alcohol law compliance
- Glassware identification
- Draft system maintenance
- Ice carving techniques
- Food and beverage pairing
Bartender resume mixology skills
- Sazerac
- Aviation
- Last Word
- Corpse Reviver #2
- Vieux Carré
- Boulevardier
- Paper Plane
- Penicillin
- Ramos Gin Fizz
- French 75
2. Write a strong bartender resume objective
A resume objective is a short introduction that sums up your skills, training, experience, and what you hope to contribute in your next role. This is the first thing employers will see on your resume, and it’s important to get it right by including key experience and accomplishments, as well as mentioning the specific role.
Here are five examples:
1. Entry-Level Bartender Resume Objective
Highly motivated, enthusiastic individual seeking an Entry-Level Bartender position to leverage a passion for mixology and outstanding customer service skills. Eager to learn, contribute to a dynamic team, and enhance the guest experience at Babylon Bar through attentive service and a positive attitude.
2. Mid-Level Bartender Resume Objective
Dynamic Bartender with 3 years of experience in fast-paced nightlife and restaurant settings. Proven track record of elevating customer satisfaction and sales through exceptional service and knowledge of beverages. Aiming to bring my expertise in craft cocktail creation and inventory management to the Crave Nightlife team.
3. Bartender Supervisor Resume Objective
Seasoned Bartender Supervisor committed to leading by example and elevating bar performance through effective team management, training, and operational improvements. With my demonstrated excellence in mixology and customer service, I aim to drive profitability and team morale at Fresh Lounge.
4. Restaurant Bartender Resume Objective
Restaurant Bartender with a flair for creating memorable dining experiences by delivering classic and innovative cocktails. Looking to use extensive knowledge of wine pairings and advanced mixology to enhance guests’ culinary experience at The Wayfinder Steakhouse, focusing on quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction.
5. Yacht Bartender Resume Objective
Professional Bartender with an expert understanding of mixology and a refined approach to service seeking a position on a luxury yacht. Adept at catering to an upscale clientele with discretion and personalized attention, aiming to contribute to an exquisite and memorable onboard experience at Excellence Yachts.
3. List bartender certifications on your resume
Knowing how to add certifications relevant to bartending to your resume is essential for showing employers that you’re qualified for the job. Here are 10 certifications and licenses for bartenders:
Recognized bartender certifications & licenses
Certifications
- TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS)
- ServSafe Alcohol
- LEAD (Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs)
- ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) Bartending License
- BARSmarts
Licenses
- State-Specific Alcohol Server License
- Food Handler’s Card (required in some states for bartenders)
- TABC Certification (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission)
- RAMP (Responsible Alcohol Management Program) Certification (Pennsylvania)
- BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) License (Illinois)
4. Use work experience bullet points with numbers
Quantify your work experience by including numbers such as percentages, and dollar amounts to show employers the specific results you’ve delivered in your previous positions.
Here is a list of job entry bullet points that use hard numbers to demonstrate achievements:
Good bartender resume bullet points
- Increased bar revenue by 8% through upselling techniques and specialty cocktails
- Managed inventory, reducing waste by 10% and saving $650 monthly on costs
- Trained 3 new bartenders in food safety, mixology, and customer service
- Designed 10 new cocktail recipes based on the most commonly requested custom drinks
- Handled up to $3,000 in cash transactions daily
- Achieved a 99% customer satisfaction score through exceptional service
- Led a team of 7 during high-volume shifts, maintaining top service quality while serving 300 customers
- Negotiated with suppliers to save 15% on liquor costs compromising quality
- Maintained a 100% compliance rate with local alcohol laws and regulations
- Achieved record sales of $7,400 during a single night
Bartending tips
Looking for tips on how to become a better bartender? Watch this video by experienced bartender Vlad on YouTube:
The best format for your resume
Learn how to pick a resume format that highlights your strengths and downplays your weaknesses by reading our HR-approved guide.
Make a resume in minutes
Pick your template, fill in a few details, and our builder will do the rest.
9 Bartender Resume Examples
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
-
Linkedin
-
Pinterest
-
Reddit
Copy link
Click to rate this article
4.8 Average rating
