Bartender Resume – Templates & Writing Guide 2024 

You don’t need to be an expert resume writer to make a good Bartender resume. But writing a good resume is needed to land more interviews and get the Bartending job you’ve always wanted. We’ll teach you how to put together your own Bartender resume and give you Bartender resume templates to do just that.

Sample Bartender Resume Templates

We’ve listed Bartender resume examples for the most popular Bartending positions within the hospitality industry. Given that there are different role levels or establishment types, your resume should highlight specific Bartender skills based on what’s most relevant to the position you’re applying to.

Entry-Level Bartender Resume Template

No experience in the bartending industry? Don’t worry — we still have the perfect Bartender resume examples that highlight transferable skills (such as customer service skills if you’ve worked in retail) and relevant qualifications to make you a desirable candidate.

Find our beginner Bartender resume example below.

Use our free entry-level bartender resume template.

Senior Bartender Resume Template

An experienced Bartender like yourself should focus on highlighting more advanced skills and experience in your Bartender resume.

You can include responsibilities you had in previous jobs, such as running bar operations, helping manage a high-volume establishment,  and providing personalized service.

Take a look at our experienced Bartender resume example below.

Use our free senior bartender resume template.

Mixology Bartender Resume Template

A Mixologist’s Bartender resume should highlight their mixology skills and knowledge of mixing cocktail ingredients that go well together, rather than responsibilities in previous jobs.

Make sure to include certifications from Bartending schools that teach Mixology techniques and courses, as well as awards from competitions.

Check out our Mixology Bartender Resume example below.

Use our free mixology bartender resume template.

Nightclub Bartender Resume Template

Nightclub Bartenders need to showcase their excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment. That said, you’ll need to emphasize your ability to work in a busy bar area and ensure customer satisfaction even during peak hours.

Find our Nightclub Bartender resume example below.

Use our free nightclub bartender resume template.

Banquet Bartender Resume Template

A Banquet Bartender (also known as an Event Bartender) resume should showcase your ability to work at formal or corporate events. This entails understanding the importance of maintaining a professional appearance, as you’ll likely be working with high-end clients.

You’ll also need to ensure responsible and exceptional service that would exceed client expectations and encourage repeat business.

Take a look at our Event Bartender resume sample below.

Use our free banquet bartender resume template.

How To Write a Bartender Resume

When writing a Bartender resume, it’s important to:

• Focus on the key skills and relevant experience that showcase why you’d be a strong candidate for Bartender jobs.
• Customize your resume for every job posting you apply to.
• Know your Bartender resume objective before you start making or editing it.
• Keep it concise language to make your resume more dynamic and to avoid unnecessary details. Ideally, you’ll want to limit the resume to one page.

What To Include in a Bartender Resume

Here are the sections your Bartender resume should have and what you should include in each one.

1. Contact Information

It’s important to make it easy for the hiring manager to find and contact you. The resume should include your name, phone number, email address and even your LinkedIn — all in an easily readable format at the top of the page.

2. Professional Summary

The professional summary should cover your professional background in terms of experience and bartending skills. It should be as straightforward as possible, highlighting only the relevant skills and experiences.

Here’s a Bartender resume summary example:

“Lead Bartender with over three years of behind-the-bar experience in a fine-dining establishment. Advanced mixology skills and exceptional customer service skills. Capable of managing bar inventory and serving customers in a fast-paced environment.”

3. Work Experience

Here, you should list all of your previous work experiences in detail:

1. Job title
2. Company name
3. Location (include City and State)
4. Dates of employment
5. Main responsibilities (list using bullet points)
6. Notable Achievements and Contributions

Only include notable achievements and contributions if they would make you a stand-out candidate, such as guest satisfaction scores or having original drink recipes that were included on the establishment’s menu.

This section should take up the most space in your professional Bartender resume.

4. Education

Items in this section should be in reverse chronological order. Make sure to include the name of the institution, its location, the obtained degree and the starting and finishing dates. Besides formal education, you should also include formal Bartender training and certifications, such as:

Bartending school

If you’ve attended a bartending school, make sure to highlight it and even indicate the specific courses you’ve finished.

While not required, any hiring manager would prefer hiring a candidate who has undergone formal bartender education, even though it might not have been in the “real world.”

Responsible alcohol service certification and bartending licenses

Having a TIPS certification is not required in every state. However, most state governments strongly recommend it, and many employers require it. Obtaining a TIPS certification will teach you responsible alcohol service, how to deal with violent or untoward behavior and how to spot fake IDs.

Bartending licenses are required in half the states, and they’re obtained through specific governing bodies within a state. For example:

• Alaska: An Alaska Alcohol Seller Certification
• Arizona: An Arizona Alcohol Seller and Server Certification
• New Mexico: An Alcohol Server Permit
• Nevada: An Alcohol Education Card
• Oregon: An Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) Permit
• Washington: A Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) Permit

Languages

Many employers in the U.S. hospitality industry prefer Bartenders with at least a professional working proficiency in other languages such as Spanish. This is particularly applicable in states like Florida, California and Texas, where you’ll come across a large number of Spanish-speaking residents and tourists.

Having said that, make sure to list any foreign languages you speak on your Bartender resume, especially if you’re applying for Bartender jobs in Miami, Florida or Los Angeles, California.

Bartender Skills To Add To Your Resume 

The Bartender resume skills section needs to include both your hard skills and soft skills.

Examples of hard skills are mixology techniques, bar management, cash handling and thorough knowledge of beverages. Meanwhile, soft skills may include customer service, interpersonal skills and problem-solving.

Also, make sure the bartending skills you list match the required and preferred skills listed on the job posting.

Importance of a Bartender Cover Letter

A Bartender cover letter should complement your bartending resume. It should provide context on your relevant work experience and explain why you’re interested in the job. It offers a great opportunity to highlight your passion for the hospitality industry, help your application stand out and give you an edge over other applicants.