Bartenders Casino and Casino Hotels
Jobs in casinos and casino hotels are generally separated into front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house categories. The front of the house is the section of the hotel or casino that is accessible to the public. The back of the house is the section of the facility where employees work that is not accessible to the public.
Bartenders working in casinos and casino hotels can work either in the front of the house or the back of the house. Individuals working in the front of the house usually have more contact with customers than their counterparts. Bartenders in the front of the house may work in the hotel or casino bar, lounge restaurant, or banquet area. They are responsible for mixing and serving both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks for customers.
Bartenders fill drink orders for customers sitting at the bar, as well as orders taken by waiters and waitresses from customers seated in the restaurant, club, or bar. Bartenders must know how to mix a great variety of drink recipes. They must have the ability to accomplish this quickly and accurately. Bartenders must also be able to mix drinks in the specific ways customers request. Many bartenders develop or concoct their own specialty drinks.
Successful Front-of-the-House Bartenders often socialize with customers by listening to them and having light conversation. Bartenders are responsible for informing the beverage manager or assistant beverage manager of needed inventory of liquor, mixes, or other necessary bar supplies. Other functions of the Front-of-the-House Bartender may include:
- Arranging bottles and glassware into attractive displays
- Serving snacks or food items to customers seated at bar
- Collecting payments from customers and operating the cash register
- Cleaning up the bar after customers have left
- Monitoring liquor inventory
Salaries for Bartenders Casino and Casino Hotels
Front-of-the-House Bartenders working in casinos and casino hotel facilities usually earn an hourly wage ranging from USD 7.00 to USD 14.00 or more plus tips and may make between USD 13,000 and USD 29,000 annually. Factors affecting earnings include the geographic location, size, type, and prestige of the specific casino, hotel, restaurant, bar, club, and/or lounge. Other variables may include the experience and duties of the individual, as well as his or her personality. There are some Bartenders who earn USD 18,000 and others who earn USD 80,000 or more with tips. In unionized settings, the union may negotiate minimum earnings.
Employment Prospects for Bartenders Casino and Casino Hotels
Employment opportunities are abundant for qualified Bartenders. Individuals may work in a variety of settings, including casino hotels, casino nightclubs, casino and casino hotel restaurants, and casino bars and lounges. Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Detroit offer the greatest number of job possibilities. Other employment settings include casino hotels in other areas of Nevada, Mississippi, New York, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Arizona, and California. Other regions hosting Indian gaming and land-based or riverboat gaming facilities offer additional opportunities. New casinos and casino hotels are constantly under construction. More casinos and casino hotels are opening every year as areas legalize gambling.
Advancement Prospects for Bartenders Casino and Casino Hotels
Bartenders working in the front of the house may advance their careers in a number of ways. Some individuals enjoy the social contact of bartending. These people may climb the career ladder by locating similar jobs in larger or more prestigious facilities. This usually results in increased earnings and tips. Others advance their careers by becoming an assistant or full-fledged beverage manager, or bar, lounge, or nightclub manager. This career move often requires additional experience and/or training.
Education and Training
Training requirements vary from job to job. Most casinos and casino hotels prefer individuals to be high school graduates or have the equivalent. Experienced bartending may often be substituted for education. Facilities also require individuals to have some sort of formal training, accomplished by attending bartending schools, vo-tech schools, or academies. These schools often provide certification in bartending.
Special Requirements
Some casinos either require or prefer their Bartenders to be certified. This certification can be obtained through attending bartending school or other training. Additionally, since Bartenders work around alcohol, there are also minimum age requirements. Depending on the specific state in which the casino is located, there may be other requirements Bartenders must fulfill. These may include state licensing, a health card from the local public health department, and an alcohol awareness card, which may also be referred to as a TAM card. TAM stands for Techniques of Alcohol Management.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
Experience requirements, like training, vary. Most casinos and casino hotels jobs in this area prefer applicants to have prior bartending experience. Many casinos require individuals to be certified. Bartenders should be friendly and well spoken with a neat and clean appearance. Customer service skills are mandatory. The ability to remember cocktail recipes as well as mix drinks quickly and accurately is essential.
Unions and Associations
Depending on the specific casino or casino hotel and its location, this may be a unionized position. In unionized situations in Las Vegas, for example, individuals may be members of the Bartenders & Beverage Local #165. In Atlantic City, Bartenders are represented by Local 54 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurants Employees International Union. Individuals interested in pursuing a Bartender career can obtain additional information by contacting the National Restaurant Association (NRA), local bartending schools, or vo-tech schools offering courses and programs in bartending.
Tips for Bartenders Casino and Casino Hotels
1. Bartending schools, especially those in areas hosting gaming and gaming hotels, often offer job placement possibilities.
2. Jobs may be advertised on casino job hotlines. These are frequently updated messages listing jobs available. Call each casino directly to get its job hotline phone number.
3. Stop by human resources departments to inquire about job openings.
4. Jobs are often advertised in the classified sections of newspapers in areas hosting gaming. Look under classifications such as “Bartenders,” “Restaurant/Lounge Bartender,” “Food and Beverage,” “Front Of The House Jobs,” and “Casino.”