4 Bartender Resume Examples & Templates

A bartender does more than hand drinks over. You mix drinks, keep the bar well-stocked, and offer a friendly smile, among other things. Likewise, a bartender resume is more than a list of your past jobs. Like a perfectly shaken cocktail, it blends all resume ingredients together before serving them up to the bar manager.

Continue reading, and you’ll find a professional bartender resume example you can adjust and make your own. On top of that, you’ll learn an easy formula for writing a resume for bartending jobs that will land you 10x more bar interviews than any you’ve written in the past.

In this guide:

• A top-notch bartender resume sample to copy and use.
• How to write bartender skills on a resume that beat competition.
• Expert tips and examples to perfect your bartending resume.
• How to write a bartender resume with no experience.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

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Bartender Resume Example 

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Entry-Level / Junior Bartender Resume Example

An entry-level/junior bartender is a starting position in the field of bartending. Their primary role is to assist in serving drinks, maintaining the bar area, and providing excellent customer service. Junior bartenders typically work under the supervision of more experienced bartenders, gaining essential skills and experience. They’re responsible for preparing basic drinks, keeping the bar clean, and ensuring that patrons have a positive experience. This position is ideal for individuals new to the industry who are eager to learn and grow their skills in a dynamic environment.

Here’s a sample for an entry-level bartender resume:

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Mid-Level Bartender Resume Example

A mid-level bartender has several years of experience and takes on more responsibilities than an entry-level bartender. This position involves crafting complex cocktails, managing inventory, and providing exceptional service to guests. Mid-level bartenders often handle busier shifts and may be responsible for training new bartenders. They also contribute to creating drink menus and may take on additional tasks such as coordinating events or promotions. This role is suited for bartenders who have developed a strong foundation and are looking to advance their careers by taking on more challenging tasks and leadership opportunities.

Find a sample for mid-level bartenders:

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Experienced / Senior Bartender Resume Example

A senior bartender holds a high-level position within the bartending team. They have extensive experience and expertise in mixology, staff management, and customer service. Senior bartenders are responsible for leading the bartending team, developing and implementing new drink menus, and ensuring the overall quality of service at the bar. They mentor junior bartenders, manage inventory and supplier relationships, and play a key role in planning and executing special events and promotions. 

Here, you can see a resume example for experienced bartenders:

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Resume Templates for Bartenders

We’ve analyzed 11 million resumes made in the Zety Resume Builder. Here are the top three picks of bartenders’ resume templates.

Concept

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Concept is a one-column, eye-catching resume template that’s highly readable and stylish. With a mighty bar on the left-hand side, it’s impossible to skip. Add a great-looking resume header with your name written in big letters, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a great resume!

Cascade

Use this resume template

Cascade is a modern resume template that shows your skills and achievements in a two-column layout. That allows you to sneak more information while keeping a one-page resume template readable for the recruiters.

Crisp

Use this resume template

Despite being a minimalist resume template, Cubic still stands out among other documents. Its sleek layout and eye-catching resume icons in a two-column format make it a great choice for professionals.

Now, here’s our recipe for a perfectly-mixed bartender resume.

How to Write a Bartender Resume

1. Lay Out a Bartender Resume Template Properly

You wouldn’t just guess a drink recipe you’ve never made before, right? Exactly. Don’t guess how to put together a bartending resume, either. Before we start writing a resume, let’s see what it’s supposed to look like!

Here’s how to format a resume for bartender jobs:

• Layout: stick with the tried-and-true reverse chronological format.
• Subheadings: make them bold so bar managers find what they’re looking for quickly.
• Fonts: pick resume fonts that are easy to make out.
• Font sizes: regular text sections should use 11pt or 12pt sized font.
• Margins: leave a 1” margin on each side of your mixologist resume.
• Line spaces: adhere to single line spacing to give you enough room for everything.
• Sections: white space aplenty keeps it easy on their eyes. 
• File types: save in the PDF format unless the bartending job description says otherwise.
• Best resume template: Use a modern one if you're applying to less conservative places. If you're planning to use Google Docs resume templates or other free resume templates, make sure they are ATS-compliant.

Here is what to put on a bartending resume:

• Header: appropriate contact details (e.g., address, job title, email).
• Summary of qualifications and skills: short paragraph with why you’re the top-shelf choice for the bartending job.
• Work experience: detailed history of past job duties in bullet-point format neatly lined up like a row of shot glasses.
• Education: a quick recap of academic history (e.g., high school, college, bartending school).
• Skills: list of bartending-relevant skills and drink-slinging abilities.
• Extra sections: certificates, licenses, languages, etc.

Read more on resume formatting: How to Select the Perfect Resume Format

2. Start With the Bartender Resume Work Experience Section

Between 2018 and 2028, there’s going to be an increase of 8% in bartending jobs. Though this might not sound like much, it equals an additional 52,200 new bartenders being hired in the United States alone. 

The bar is set high—you’ll have to win the bar owner over with a work experience section as powerful as a shot of moonshine.

Here’s the ideal strategy:

• List your current or most recent job first, and then go back in reverse chronological order from there.
• Add your past job title, the name of the bar or company, its location, and the dates you were employed there.
• Give 5 or 6 bullet points detailing your past job requirements in a way that’s tailored to the bartending job you’re applying for.
• Throw in a numbered achievement, like adding garnish to a drink to quantify your bar job accomplishments.
• Open each bullet point with an action verb for maximum kick. 

Here are some responsibilities examples to use on a bartender's resume:

Bartender Keywords for a Resume

• Craft and serve cocktails, beer, and wine to patrons.
• Develop new drink recipes and seasonal menus.
• Provide excellent customer service in a high-volume environment.
• Manage bar inventory and place orders with suppliers.
• Train and mentor new bartenders.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Handle cash and credit transactions accurately.
• Maintain a clean and organized bar area.
• Monitor customer behavior to ensure responsible alcohol consumption.
• Plan and execute special events and promotions.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff to provide food and drink pairings.
• Use POS systems to process orders and payments.
• Upsell premium products to increase sales.
• Resolve customer complaints and issues promptly.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and stock counts.

And, here are some action verbs to use on a bartender's resume to effectively convey your responsibilities and achievements:

Bartender Resume Action Verbs

• Crafted
• Served
• Developed
• Managed
• Trained
• Ensured
• Handled
• Maintained
• Monitored
• Planned
• Collaborated
• Used
• Upsold
• Resolved
• Conducted

Read further on describing work history: How to Document Employment Experience on Resumes

3. Enter Your Education (It’s Not That Straightforward!)

The most specialized major for bartenders is Personal & Culinary Services. Showing that on your resume can only work for your benefit. But even if your major isn't related to your profession, it's always important to properly show it on your resume.

 Here’s what to include in your bartender resume education section:

• Degree earned
• Relevant coursework
• Certifications (if not listed separately)
• Honors and distinctions (optional)

Read More: How to Add Education on a Resume

4. List Bartending Skills Relevant to the Bar Position You’re After

You can twirl a flaming bottle of vodka in the air and catch it behind your back while wiping a spill from the counter with your other hand. You’ve got great bartender skills. But which strengths ought to be placed on a resume?

Here’s how to go about it:

• Identify skills-related resume keywords by carefully studying the bartender's job description. 
• Create a list of the general food service and bartender skills you have.
• Make a bartender's resume skills section by including abilities that appeared in both of the previous two steps.
• Keep it short and strong, like a shot of 151—no more than 5-10 bartender skills on a resume for bar jobs. 
• Include hard skills and soft skills alike to round out a resume for bartenders. 

Let’s look at a few everyday bartending resume skills:

25+ Bartender Skills for a Resume

• Popular Beverage Recipes
• Food & Wine Pairing 
• Providing Beverage Suggestions
• Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)
• Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards
• Health & Hygiene Protocols
• Maintaining Tidy & Sanitary Bar Area
• Ability to Defuse Tense Situations
• Great Recall & Memory
• Excellent Organizational Skills
• Physical Endurance
• Stamina and Strength
• Barware, Glassware, Bar Utensils & Equipment
• Point-of-Sale (POS) & Credit Card Terminals
• Initiative-Taking
• Active-Listening Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Marketing Skills
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Time-Management Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Technical Proficiency
• Decision-Making Skills
• Critical-Thinking Skills
• Multitasking Skills

Learn more about what to include in that resume section: Skills on a Resume:

5. Show, Don’t Tell: Add “Extra” Sections to Your Bartending Resume

For some drinks, adding that tiny paper umbrella on top is the perfect way to finish it off before serving it up. On resumes for bartender jobs, extra sections help it to stand out from all the other candidates and make for a fine presentation.

Here are a few examples of bartending resume additional sections to think about:

1. Certificates on a Resume

Certifications may be useful on a bartender's resume, especially in areas where a particular license is needed to serve alcohol. Examples include a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit, a state-granted alcohol-serving license, or the “Responsible Serving of Alcohol” certification.

2. Volunteer History on a Resume

While any volunteer work may score you points with whichever deity you pray to, a few also help you score bartending jobs. Relevancy is always key, so helping out at a soup kitchen (food service) will trump volunteering at an animal shelter.

3. Language Skills

Are you fluent in a second language? This looks great on any bartender's resume, especially if the bar is located in an area with a lot of native speakers of that language. And knowing how to say “Cheers!” in 10 languages is always a handy bartending skill.

4. Hobbies on a Resume

Do you brew beer at home as a hobby? That could be a helpful tidbit to list on a bartending resume. However, leave off items such as your passion for web programming, interest in beekeeping, or any other non-relevant pastime. 

Read more: "About Me" on a Resume: How to Describe Yourself?

6. Blend the Freshest Ingredients Together Into a Bartender Resume Objective or Summary

Like the head on a well-poured stout, a resume profile floats on top and lets them know what’s underneath is quality stuff. But which one to use?

• Use the career summary when you have kegfuls of bartender job experience. A bartender resume summary shows off your drink-making skills, behind-the-bar experience, and cocktail-mixing background as a professional bartender. 
• Use the career objective when you have as much alcohol experience as a teetotalling minor. The career objective statement expresses your bartending career goals and includes past accomplishments with numbers to quantify your success.

Read more: How to Write a Compelling Resume Introduction

7. Write and Attach a Bartender Cover Letter

Cover letters are important because they help explain missing details from your resume and allow your personality to shine through. Like a college student heading to a bar without ID, forget your cover letter at your own peril.

Here’s how to write a cover letter for a bartender:

• Format a cover letter first, just as you did when starting the resume.
• Write a cover letter intro that tingles their taste buds and makes them want to get to know you.
• Go into detail on your bartending skills, previous experience, and career history.
• Give quantifiable accomplishments on a cover letter for bartenders, as well.
• Close the cover letter with a general sign-off and request for them to read your resume.

For some helpful general advice: Top Cover Letter Tips & Advice for Success

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

We’re about to get to the guide, but first, here are several other resume examples similar to bartending jobs:

• Restaurant Resume
• Restaurant General Manager Resume
• Serving Resume
• Waitress Resume
• Waiter Resume
• Bar Management Resume
• Restaurant Server Resume
• Fine Dining Resume
• Barista Resume
• Starbucks Resume
• Barback Resume
• Chef Resume
• Cook Resume
• Fast Food Worker Resume
• Food Service Worker Resume
• Line Cooking Resume
• Best Resume Examples

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/bartenders.htm
• https://datausa.io/profile/soc/bartenders