Bartending is an art and a passion, as well as a trade and a career path. Some people love the buzz and bustle of working in a bar, greeting customers and mixing cocktails, and this is a valid career choice in itself. However, bartending can also open the door to many other exciting opportunities. Here’s a look at future paths to shake up your career.
Event planning
Event planners are in demand to orchestrate weddings, corporate events, private parties, and more. You could work for an existing event planning company, or consider starting your own business where you will have more freedom to curate events for a particular niche.
If you enjoy the logistical side of bartending, such as stock inventories, planning menus, negotiating with suppliers, and collaborating with marketing and finance teams, then this could be the perfect profession for you.
Consulting for beverage companies
Beverage companies and large restaurant chains often employ consultants to advise them on menu development, new product development, procurement, new trends, and staff training. With a bartending career background, you will be ideally placed to bring your skills and expertise to the table.
Front of house roles
If you would like to stay with your current employer, you could look at ways to move sideways or upwards, such as to a bar manager or front of house role. This would involve overseeing daily operations such as stock inventories, staffing rotas, health and safety compliance, and other administrative duties.
Bar management may also involve staff training, collaborating with marketing teams to develop promotions or offers; beverage menu planning; and the development of signature cocktails. You will need a good combination of creative and organisational skills.
Customer service
If interacting with customers and problem solving is a favourite part of your bartending role, you will be a natural fit for a customer service role in a variety of sectors. The obvious choice would be hospitality, where you can use your knowledge to ensure that guests have an exceptional experience.
There are many other roles in healthcare, finance, or retail where you would equally succeed, and may have the opportunity to progress to a customer experience manager or supervisor role.
Sales and marketing
As a bartender, you are likely to have a natural flair for communication and persuasion, which are transferable skills you can bring to a career in sales and marketing. You could take up a role as a brand ambassador for a beverage company, which may involve travelling to different venues to host demonstrations, tasting events, and showcasing new products.
You may thrive on the adrenaline buzz of closing sales agreements and hitting monthly targets, or collaborating with marketing teams to develop innovative and engaging brand marketing campaigns.
