Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

Working in a bar can be great fun and it's also a great way to start your career in the hospitality sector. But the job is also demanding. Bartenders meet people from all walks of life and are busiest when most people have finished work.

As a bartender you serve drinks and sometimes food like bar snacks, sandwiches and soups in a pleasant, efficient manner. You operate cash registers and draught dispensing equipment, purchasing and checking in supplies.

You need some level of knowledge of legislation in relation to hygiene, safety and licensed premises.  

Work hours are very varied and often involve night shifts at unusual times - in the evenings, at weekends and over holiday periods.

Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment. Health & safety and first aid courses are often provided in local Training Centres or through ETBs (search for courses here). You can read more about health and safety training from the Health and Safety Authority here.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment.
• Collect money for drinks served.
• Balance cash receipts.
• Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
• Clean bars, work areas, and tables.
• Attempt to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking by taking steps such as persuading customers to stop drinking, or ordering taxis or other transportation for intoxicated patrons.
• Take beverage orders from serving staff or directly from patrons.
• Serve wine, and bottled or draft beer.
• Plan, organise, and control the operations of a cocktail lounge or bar.
• Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.

Further Information

• Bartender - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Bartender - from: Get a Life in Tourism

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Bartending can be an entry level job and many people start off in the industry by doing part-time bartending work during the holidays. Experience and personality have a contribution alongside qualifications.

There are many different bartending certificates and cocktail training courses available in Ireland and abroad, ranging from one day to several months in duration. These are offered by private course providers so do some research into the reputation and quality before handing over the fee.

Bars are increasingly developing wider hospitality beyond alcohol, and wider skills are required in the Hospitality & Tourism sector 

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Hospitality & bartending skills NFQ Level 5  Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC Courses: Tourism & Hospitality, Bar & Restaurant Management NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Bar management, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ levels 6-7 Search Apprenticeships 

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €55k

Average of €12.70 - €15 euro per hour, hours can be irregular. Salaries vary based on employer, location, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel Recruitment Salary Survey/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Talent.com

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment grew strongly for both waiters/waitresses and bar staff between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 12,000 persons employed combined, the numbers remained below preCOVID-19 levels. While waiters/waitresses were predominately female, the opposite was the case for bar staff with males accounting for the higher share.

Those aged 15-24 years accounted for the majority of persons employed as waiters/waitresses and bar staff, at 73% and 64% respectively; at least 75% of those employed in these occupations were working part-time. Both occupations had high volumes of recent job hires highlighting that job churn is a particular feature of these roles. Although issues with attracting candidates to the roles are evident, no shortages have been identified.

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Licensed Vintners Association

  • Anglesea House, Anglesea Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 668 0215
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Vintners Federation of Ireland

  • VFI House, Castleside Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
  • (01) 492 3400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here