SOULSTRUT...PLEASE HELP!!! (job related)

spivyspivy 866 Posts
edited April 2006 in Strut Central
once upon a time there was a guy named B****. he was a semi-normal guy. he was constantly between jobs, busy hustling records and trying to satisfy his lady friend. his quest to find a quality job was always eluding him, until one day he stumbled upon a friendly cafe in the village while eating lunch with an ex-lady friend. upon completing his meal he inquired about a job with one of the hipster types who worked there and found they were looking for help. within a few minutes he had found a job that looked like the right fit for him and so he embarked on his new quest. he began working there and started the process of learning the menu, work load, fellow employees names etc. all seemed rosy until one late april afternoon when he received a phone call from a cafe he had applied to months earlier. they were requesting his services to bartend immediately. he had always wanted the opportunity to bartend and here was his chance. they liked him and offered him the job. all of a sudden he felt confused..." what the fuck do i do?" he thought. he was torn between the current place he worked waiting tables with its cute counter girls, excellent food and beer benefits, relaxed/casual workplace attitude and attire, chill staff, decent money etc. and his new-found chance to be a bartender at one of the few redsox friendly bars in all of nyc. and so here he is at this pivotal crossroad, trying to weigh his options without making a hasty and possibly ill-fated decision. what advice would you give this poor confused fella?

  Comments


  • SoulOnIceSoulOnIce 13,027 Posts
    keep the job you have now.
    sounds like you like it and are happy there.
    can you work at the bar one or two nights and
    still keep the other job?
    Lotta work but big $$$ and best of both worlds.

    Anything must seem nice after working for A. Day

  • mylatencymylatency 10,475 Posts
    If you're just in it for the here and now, which job do you feel the most comfortable in? Which job do you feel at home the most?

    If you are thinking long term, where do you see growth and the possibility for advancement?

    Is there truly no way to work both, or can you take a part time/weekend gig at one of them?

  • spivyspivy 866 Posts
    Anything must seem nice after working for A. Day
    hahaha-very true! but [email]che@p*[/email] was a sweet place. to be honest i'm starting to miss those days.

  • spivyspivy 866 Posts
    Is there truly no way to work both, or can you take a part time/weekend gig at one of them?
    i want to try and work both into my life. i feel like the bartending gig gives me some great future options while the cafe is where my mind is currently. the cafe wants me to work 3 shift a week while the bar wants me about 4. i'm going to try to do a little juggling but i might freak out if shit gets overwhelming. its funny how things always pan out like this. one day you are looking for a job and no one is hiring, the next day everybody wants you and you have to make a firm decision. wish me luck guys...i'm gonna need it.

  • mylatencymylatency 10,475 Posts
    Sounds like you're working towards both. If the bar can provide some long term security, don't phase it out of your plans.

    Good luck!

  • DrJoelDrJoel 932 Posts
    What kind of traffic does the bar get? What kind of traffic does the cafe get?
    In some cases servers make more than bartenders and in some the other way around.

    Bartending is fun and you can make a lot of money, but there is a lot more to it than just learning how to make a great Long Island. You've gotta know when to cut someone off and be ready to be responsible for them once you do. You have to have eyes and ears in the back of your head and be ready to deal with people in various states of drunkfoolery. A lot is common sense, of course, but you definately take on a big responsibility stepping behind the bar. In most cases it is worth it, especially if you are working with people who all have the bar in mind rather than juicing customers for an extra $2 tip, but i just throw this out there because it seems like people don't look at this side of the job when they want to tend bar.

    The way you describe the cafe makes it sound like a good one. i say weigh the options and think it over, in the end the decision that feels right is most often a good one.

  • Sox-friendly bar...did you get a call from the R*****a?

    Can't you work at both? Like days one spot, nights the other?

  • nzshadownzshadow 5,518 Posts
    Bartending is fun and you can make a lot of money, but there is a lot more to it than just learning how to make a great Long Island. You've gotta know when to cut someone off and be ready to be responsible for them once you do. You have to have eyes and ears in the back of your head and be ready to deal with people in various states of drunkfoolery. A lot is common sense, of course, but you definately take on a big responsibility stepping behind the bar. In most cases it is worth it, especially if you are working with people who all have the bar in mind rather than juicing customers for an extra $2 tip, but i just throw this out there because it seems like people don't look at this side of the job when they want to tend bar.



    Ive been working in bars for over 10 years now, from Bartending to serving to bouncing, (sometimes all at the same time) in my humble opinion bartending is a great gig, but like my man says, it is a lot more than it seems at first, so be prepared to work hard in order to get where you want to be. I would think long and hard about switching up at this point though as it seems that you are digging your job right now, try to swing a few nights at the bar and see if it is what you want, you never know, maybe the place is great but the staff arent, or a myriad of other possibilities that would make you regret leaving what sounds like a job you enjoy.

    A great bartender is worth his/her weight in gold as it is so much more than filling containers with liquid. it is a skill you can travel with and make some fucking great bank with.


    one more thing in closing. If you do decide to take up a job at the bar, dont ever try any of those fucking tom cruise cocktail juggling moves. Strictly for poseurs and the B&T crowd. Bartenders pour drinks, clowns juggle.

    choose wisely young padwan...

  • RockadelicRockadelic Out Digging 13,993 Posts
    Lotsa here......


    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job. The worst bartenders I've ever worked with went to these schools.....even worse than going to DJ school!!!!

  • sabadabadasabadabada 5,966 Posts
    id keep the the job you have now. Most people I know who worked in bars ended up hating it. Its loud and you have to deal with drunks all night, most of the staff is on speed so they can stay up until 4:00 am. A nice waiter job sounds much more chill, nice people, eating there food happy and content, normal hours. Unless the pay is a big leap, I'd stay put and enjoy.

  • nzshadownzshadow 5,518 Posts
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.
    Best advice I can give to someone who wants to become a bartender is do NOT go to one of those cheesy Bartending Schools......get a job as a "bar back" slinging ice and washing glasses and learn on the job.

  • spivyspivy 866 Posts
    thanks for the good advice guys! i'm going to work a few shifts at the bar and see how it goes. i'm also going to keep working at the cafe while i figure out whats best for me. thanks again!
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