Bartending
Globally, a bartender is seen as someone who would mix you a drink, engage in conversation, drop a joke, wink an eye, do some tricks with fire or dance to the beats to keep the energy at the bar going. Although the scene is different in India, the bar tending trend is slowly catching on, here as well. Shatbhi Basu, Director, STIR Academy of Bar tending, says, “The whole skill of bar tending is getting more professional and respected. A lot more specialized bars and nightclubs have come to be and that market will continue. Hotel management students who earlier preferred to opt for the kitchen programme’s are recognizing the benefits of specializing in the bar.” There has been an emergence of institutes that specialize in bar training, helping those interested in the profession to strengthen their product knowledge.
Skills for bar tending
Basu enlists a few qualities essential for bartenders
• A thirst for knowledge
• Commitment to hard work
• Presence of mind
• Honesty
• Discipline
• Good interactive skills
• Patience and an even temper
• Sense of humour
• Love of music
• Creative skills
• Sense of taste and vision
• Most of all, a passion for bartending
Eligibility
Sanjay Mahadik, a bartender at Firangi Paani says, “You can opt for a bartending course after you have finished your grade 12.” Basu adds, “Hotel Management graduates who are looking for specialization to enhance their growth can also learn the skill.”
Courses available:
Talking of bar tending courses, Mahadik says, “There are courses available in bar tending which are not too expensive, are short and at the same time, comprehensive, giving you practical knowledge.” Arun Dhimn, Senior Bartender, Red Box Café adds that books on bar tending can be another useful means of brushing up one’s knowledge on the skill. Institutes like STIR Academy of Bar tending in Mumbai, Institute of Bar Operations and Management in New Delhi or the Indian Institute of Bar tending in Chennai, offer specialized courses in the discipline.
Job prospects and remuneration
Mahadik feels that when it comes to the moolah, a lot depends on the company, hotel, lounge or night club, it’s popularity and location. Basu that beginners can expect anywhere from Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000, depending on their skills, with tips over and above that. As for the future job prospects, he explains, “How you drive it up depends entirely on your skill, reputation and how badly someone wants you.” You could also keep it as a part-time job, depending on your ambition.
Basu says that there are tremendous opportunities for bar tending, both in India and abroad. “In India, the demand curve will continue to rise, given the growth potential of the mini metros. Once they have grown and upgraded in about five to eight years, they have the opportunity to start their own outdoor bar tending business, or work with alcohol brands in activation and training. Also, the Middle East, UK, cruise liners continue to attract young bartenders.”
So is it all hunky dory at a bar? Jinson Joseph, bartender at Tequila Lounge certainly agrees. “It is a fun profession, where you enjoy the music, meet different people and anticipate what drink they would like, post an exchange of a few words. If you are passionate about the work, you are sure to enjoy it.”
Challenges
However, while the job may have its perks, it also has the corresponding challenges. Dhimn believes that while the work atmosphere is light and exciting, the job could bog you down owing to the erratic hours, leaving you with little time for family, with holidays on weekdays when the others are at work. Sanjay seconds, “The ambiance, crowd, mixing drinks and music keeps you ticking, but you do end up missing out on a lot of family occasions and festivals.”
One last word
Basu concludes, “I think bar tending is a strange mix of art, science and technique. It keeps you young and contemporary, while giving you a great environment to work. It allows flexibility of the creative process. It gives you a chance for direct interaction with the guest, an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and skills. If you have a passion for this kind of stuff, pursue it. As a bartender, you are a person in your own right. Not just one of the crew!”
