Bartenders

Banquet Bartender

Bar Captain

Bartender

Mixologist

What is a Bartender?

A bartender is a professional who prepares and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to customers in bars, restaurants, clubs, and other venues. They are skilled in mixing drinks, creating cocktails, and providing excellent customer service. Bartenders are responsible for managing the bar area, including keeping it clean, organizing supplies, and ensuring that customers are satisfied with their drinks and experience. In addition to serving drinks, bartenders often engage with patrons, take drink orders, and may even handle cash transactions. They play a crucial role in the atmosphere of a bar, as they not only provide beverages but also contribute to the overall social experience of customers.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$19870.0 - $61210.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

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.

Technology Skills

Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Point of sale POS software
- Focus point of sale POS software
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
- NCR NeighborhoodPOS
- The General Store
Internet browser software
- Web browser software
Data base user interface and query software
- AZZ CardFile
Web page creation and editing software
- Facebook

Tools Used

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

56 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R9,537pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Bartender in South Africa

The South African hospitality industry is vibrant, resilient, and currently offering significant opportunities for those with the right blend of personality and skill. With 58 active jobs currently available and an average salary of R9,537pm, the profession is seeing a positive upward trend. Our data indicates that compensation in the sector is growing steadily, with average monthly earnings projected to rise from approximately R8,393 in early 2024 to over R10,491 by December 2024. If you have been considering a career behind the bar, there has never been a better time to evaluate your readiness.

Is Bartending Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before stepping behind the wood, you need to determine if your personality aligns with the high-pressure environment of South African hospitality. Ask yourself if you possess these essential traits:

High Social Stamina: Can you remain energetic, polite, and engaging even after eight hours on your feet interacting with diverse personalities?
Numerical Accuracy: Are you comfortable with mental arithmetic to handle fast-paced cash-ups and ensure correct change under pressure?
Conflict Resolution: Do you have the "thick skin" and diplomatic touch required to manage intoxicated patrons or tense situations calmly?
Physical Resilience: Are you prepared for a labour-intensive role that involves heavy lifting (kegs and crates) and standing for long durations?
Methodical Organisation: Can you keep a workspace clean and "mise en place" organised while multiple orders are being shouted at you?
Cultural Awareness: Do you enjoy the "Rainbow Nation" aspect of service, showing respect and flair to locals and international tourists alike?

A Day in the Life of a South African Bartender

In South Africa, a bartender’s day rarely begins at sunset. Your shift often starts in the mid-afternoon with "the prep." You’ll be slicing fresh local garnishes, checking stock levels against the evening’s bookings, and ensuring the draught taps are flowing perfectly. As the sun sets—perhaps overlooking the Atlantic Seaboard or the bustling streets of Maboneng—the pace shifts.

The environment is sensory and fast. You are the conductor of the "vibe," balancing the precision of a classic cocktail with the speed of serving local favourites. You aren't just a drink-maker; you are a brand ambassador and a safety officer. The night ends long after the final round, with a rigorous cleaning programme and a precise inventory count to ensure the business is ready for the following day's trade.

Education & Upskilling

While many start as "bar-backs," the modern South African market rewards those who treat bartending as a professional craft. Professionalism is what drives the salary growth we are seeing in the 2024 data.

Formal Qualifications: While a university degree isn't mandatory, a Diploma in Hospitality Management from a TVET college or a private institution (like the International Hotel School) provides a massive advantage for those eyeing management roles.
Short Courses & Certifications: Attending a specialised Mixology or Professional Bartending programme—such as those offered by various Bar Academies in Cape Town and Johannesburg—is highly recommended. These courses cover everything from "flair" to advanced spirit knowledge.
Liquor Law Knowledge: Familiarising yourself with the National Liquor Act and provincial regulations is crucial for any responsible server.

Remember, the industry evolves rapidly. Continuous learning—whether it is mastering the latest craft gin trends or taking a sommelier introductory course—is the key to moving from a standard bartender to a high-earning lead mixologist.

Next Steps

If you find yourself nodding along to the traits above and feel excited by the prospect of a fast-paced, social career, you are already halfway there. However, professional bartending requires a specific mental grit that is best measured through objective analysis. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the profile to succeed in South Africa’s top-tier establishments.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

High school diploma or equivalent

43 %

or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma

37 %
Some college, no degree

16 %

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 sizes, 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.

Detailed Work Activities

Clean tableware.
Process customer bills or payments.
Enforce rules or regulations.
Balance receipts.
Clean food service areas.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.