Nervous about your upcoming bartending interview? Here are the most common questions and expert tips on how to answer them.
Landing a bartending interview is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Whether you’re applying to your first bar or a prestigious cocktail lounge, preparation is key. Here’s what you need to know.
Before the Interview
Do Your Research
- Visit the establishment: Understand their vibe, clientele, and signature drinks
- Check their menu: Know what cocktails they feature
- Read reviews: Understand what customers love (and don’t love) about the bar
- Know their social media: Follow their accounts and understand their brand voice
What to Bring
- Valid ID
- Certifications (TIPS, state alcohol server permit, etc.)
- Resume (even if they have it)
- References
- Black clothes for a practical test
The 15 Most Common Questions
Experience Questions
1. “Tell me about your bartending experience.”
How to answer: Even without bar experience, highlight relevant skills. Customer service, working under pressure, multitasking, and cash handling all transfer directly.
2. “What’s your favorite cocktail to make?”
How to answer: Pick something that shows skill but isn’t pretentious. Explain WHY you enjoy it—the technique, the customer reaction, or the flavor profile.
3. “How do you handle a busy rush?”
How to answer: Emphasize organization, prioritization, and staying calm. Mention specific strategies like:
- Making multiple drinks at once
- Communicating with your barback
- Using dead time efficiently
Technical Questions
4. “How would you make a [specific cocktail]?”
How to answer: Know the classics cold—Old Fashioned, Margarita, Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri. For unknowns, describe your approach to finding the recipe.
5. “What’s the difference between shaking and stirring?”
How to answer: Shake cocktails with citrus or other mixers; stir spirit-forward drinks. Explain that shaking adds dilution and aeration, while stirring maintains silky texture.
6. “How do you handle a customer who says their drink is wrong?”
How to answer: Listen without defensiveness, clarify what they expected, and make it right. Never argue—customer perception is reality.
Situational Questions
7. “A customer is clearly intoxicated. What do you do?”
How to answer: This tests your knowledge of responsible service. Cover:
- Cutting them off politely and firmly
- Offering water and food
- Ensuring they don’t drive
- When to involve management or security
8. “Two customers are having an argument. How do you respond?”
How to answer: Stay neutral, try to diffuse the situation, and get management/security involved if it escalates. Never take sides.
9. “What would you do if you caught a coworker stealing?”
How to answer: Report it to management immediately. Express that trust is essential in bar operations and you take it seriously.
Personality Questions
10. “Why do you want to work here specifically?”
How to answer: Reference your research. Mention specific things about their concept, drinks, reputation, or team that appeal to you.
11. “What’s your availability?”
How to answer: Be honest but flexible. Bars need people on weekends and nights. Being too restrictive may cost you the job.
12. “How do you handle difficult customers?”
How to answer: Emphasize patience, empathy, and de-escalation. Give a specific example if you have one. Show you don’t take things personally.
Future-Focused Questions
13. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
How to answer: Show ambition that aligns with their opportunities—bar manager, beverage director, or opening your own place. Show you’re committed to the industry.
14. “What would you bring to our team?”
How to answer: Highlight specific strengths—speed, cocktail knowledge, customer rapport, reliability. Make it about what benefits them.
15. “Do you have any questions for us?”
How to answer: Always have questions ready:
- “What does success look like in this role?”
- “What’s the team culture like?”
- “What’s your most popular cocktail?”
- “How do you handle training?”
The Practical Test
Many bars include a working test. Here’s how to prepare:
What They’re Looking For
- Speed: Can you keep up during a rush?
- Accuracy: Are drinks made to spec?
- Cleanliness: Do you work clean and organized?
- Customer Interaction: Are you personable while working?
- Problem-Solving: How do you handle curveballs?
Tips for Success
- Ask questions: Clarify recipes you don’t know rather than guessing
- Stay organized: Keep your station clean
- Engage with “customers”: They’re watching your personality
- Don’t panic: Speed comes with comfort—focus on accuracy first
After the Interview
Follow Up
Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours. Reiterate your interest and reference something specific from the conversation.
If You Don’t Get It
Ask for feedback. Most managers will share what held you back, helping you improve for next time.
Final Thoughts
Bartending interviews are as much about personality as they are about skills. Show enthusiasm, be authentic, and demonstrate that you understand the hospitality mindset.
At ABC Bartending College, our career services team helps students prepare for interviews with mock sessions and industry insights. We’ve helped thousands of graduates land their first bartending jobs—and we can help you too.
Looking to build your skills before interviewing? Check out our free interview prep guide for more tips.
