Bar Attendant
(Beverage Attendant)
Fact Sheet
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Pouring and serving drinks to patrons |
Bar attendants prepare, mix and serve drinks to customers in hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs.
Duties and Tasks
Bar attendants may perform the following tasks:
- serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- draw beer from the tap or pour from bottles
- mix ingredients to make cocktails and slice fruit to garnish drinks
- prepare and serve a variety of coffees
- refill drink and cigarette dispensers
- collect glasses from tables and place them in glass washing machines
- wipe down tables and empty ashtrays
- collect payment, operate cash registers and give change
- arrange bottles and glasses on shelves
- clean bar service area and polish glasses
- operate TAB and Keno or gaming machine terminals
- assist in the cellar
- assist in stock control
- maintain workplace hygiene, occupational health and safety, and security procedures
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of MATHEMATICS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a mathematics-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed standing up for periods of at least two hours at a stretch.Jobs requiring standing for long periods have been excluded.
Included are jobs providing services in the hospitality and tourism industries, in areas such as accommodation, and food and beverage preparation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Work Conditions
Bar attendants work in venues that are often busy and noisy. They may have to deal with difficult customers who may be drunk. They usually work shifts, including weekends and public holidays. Uniforms may be supplied by employers. Bar attendants must be at least 18 years of age, although some training providers give exemptions for the purpose of training.
Personal Requirements
- good interpersonal skills
- good memory
- efficient and speedy
- enjoy working with people
- good personal presentation
- prepared to work weekends and evenings
- good cash-handling skills
- able to stand for long periods