The bar business is a fascinating career choice that comes with a variety of opportunities. Whether you want to manage a bar from the front desk, serve thirsty patrons, or even own a bar one day, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of bar management.

Creating a Good Atmosphere

The most successful bars are usually the ones with the best atmosphere. The bar environment includes everything from the décor, to the people who walk through the door, to the drinks you sell. A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t feel comfortable walking into the bar yourself, your target audience probably won’t either.

Working With a Team

Working with a team of employees is a huge part of bar management. You’ll work with everyone from the bartender to the host to solve problems and handle the customers. Because a solid team is so important, the hiring process is a crucial aspect of bar management. You should find people who can prove that they’re qualified to do the job and understand local alcohol policies. If you’re based in Texas, for example, hiring bartenders with TABC licensing is a good idea.

Managing Inventory

Another part of bar management is staying on top of inventory. You need to know what’s selling at your bar to make sure you have enough inventory to meet customer demand. You can’t just buy as much as you want and hope it sells; you have to know how much you need to make a profit. Planning ahead should help you set the right prices and keep the drinks flowing.

Dealing With Issues

You will have to deal with the different issues that come up at bars. Dirty bars are a big problem, and part of your job is keeping everything clean and in working order. Bar equipment issues can be another major headache. You also have to handle problems like broken glass and broken tables. Customers complaining about their drink orders can become a problem as well. The good news is that many of these issues are fixable as long as you address them quickly.

One of the most important aspects of any bar job is that it’s tangible and real. Within a few weeks, you’ll likely know exactly what your job is and what it entails. The bar business comes with many ups and downs, but if you do things right, you can make a good living and build valuable relationships.