hey everyone!!! i just wanna talk about my job for a little, because i’ve never been so happy. i am a 22(M) lead bartender at a restaurant bar, and im going to provide some backstory first!
when i was 20, i became fascinated with bartending and decided i seriously wanted to become a bsrtender. i had been a server since i was 16, and i was really good at it. i loved hospitality. i began studying for hours on end in my free time, bought a starter well to practice, and even bought pour spouts and learned how to free pour. despite my knowledge and strong experience in service/hospitality, i struggled to find a job without experience. i’d go to “no experience required” interviews, and they’d always end up asking me to be a server instead of a bartender. i remember feeling so frustrated and defeated…until i found my current job. they hired me as a server under the premise that they would train me on bar. company policy was that we had to serve for at least 3 months before we could cross-train, but due to my rapid growth, my GM talked to HR and approved to train me on bar after a month. so i became a bartender at 21 years old.
7 months later, as the newest bartender, i am the head bartender. although the other bartenders are *awesome*, i believe what sets me apart is my genuine passion and incredible multitasking skills. all the (positive) reviews for our restaurant are mentioning me by name. i have wonderful, interesting customers every day. i love crafting a delicious cocktail perfectly tailored to someone’s taste preferences! what really meant a lot to me was when my favorite manager complimented me.
about my favorite manager, “Houston”- after GOD AWFUL management, Houston was recruited to help turn around our store that was quickly going downhill. she is a team player, genuinely cares about the team/improvement, and is always the biggest help. she can be very strict, and is known for saying, “either get with the program, or get the f*ck out.” she does NOT play. not everyone likes her. but, she has really helped me learn a lot and improve tremendously, and as of recently, she has become a good friend of mine.
a couple weeks ago, she told me that if my availability was more open (i was working two jobs and i am in school), that i would indubitably be on more bar shifts. she said, “listen, and no shade to the other bartenders- like *other bartender* is great, but…you’re killing it! i see it, GM sees it, your coworkers see it, kitchen sees it, and the reviews back it.” simply being recognized for my hard work meant so much 🥹 shortly after this, two other managers complimented me and crowned me the best/head bartender. i am just ecstatic!!! i have put in so much time and effort into this, and it’s paid off!! i am so proud of myself:,)
not to mention, my favorite aspect of my job- my COWORKERS!! god, they are truly all angels. i’ve seriously met my best friends through this job, and we are ALL friends!! we work so well as a team and my coworkers are always helping me out when i am in the weeds😭 i just love them so much…they’re the best people ever :,)
sorry for the tangent- i am just so incredibly happy and grateful!!!