Bartending Mock Interview

Master 30 Bartending interview questions covering drink knowledge, customer service, and high-volume service.

WRITTEN BY RACHELLE ENNS
QUESTION 3 OF 30

Why did you leave your last bartending job?

Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Entry Level

"I just graduated from bartending school and look forward to my first bartending gig! This position is a dream opportunity for me."

Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Experienced

"I worked as a bartender at a nightclub for the past four years. I left because the atmosphere was no longer healthy for me. I am now seeking an opportunity where I can work in a more relaxed environment with regular customers and potentially an older crowd. Your pub is an establishment that I regularly come to on my days off, so I know it is much more my vibe."

Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
How to Answer

Turnover isn't rare in the bar industry, but the interviewer still needs to ask, to ensure that you haven't burned any bridges or been fired for stealing. Share why you chose to leave while only talking positively about your co-workers and the establishment where you last worked.

You may state that you needed to submit your resignation because your next semester school schedule would not align with their needs. Or, you may say that the establishment closed their doors. Be sure to mention something that you really liked about the job, and share that you are excited to get back to bartending.

Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Example Answer

"My last position was great - I liked it. Unfortunately, they were purchased by a larger restaurant group, and our whole team was laid off. This is why I am seeking a new opportunity."

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30 Bartending Interview Questions & Answers

Jump to any question in the set.

01 Tell me about your previous bartending experience. ~BARTENDING 02 How do you make a White Russian? ~COMPETENCY 03 Why did you leave your last bartending job? ~BARTENDING 04 How do you feel about serving drinks in a heavy volume environment? ~COMPETENCY 05 How do you make a Cosmopolitan Martini? ~COMPETENCY 06 What techniques do you use to upsell? ~BARTENDING 07 If you see a fight start across the bar, do you act or do you wait until the bouncers take care of it? ~BARTENDING 08 Your drawer is $44.21 short, how would you explain this? What would you do to correct something like this in the future? ~BARTENDING 09 This is a coveted bartending gig. Why should we hire you? ~BARTENDING 10 If your car broke down on the way to work, what would you do? ~BARTENDING 11 How do you make a Washington Apple? ~COMPETENCY 12 How do you make an Irish Car Bomb? ~COMPETENCY 13 How do you avoid serving to minors? ~COMPETENCY 14 How do you make a Whiskey Sour? ~COMPETENCY 15 Are you flexible to work any shift? ~BARTENDING 16 How do you use your time on a slow shift? ~COMPETENCY 17 Explain the differences between a wheat beer, a pale ale and an IPA? ~BARTENDING 18 What is your favorite drink with vodka? ~BARTENDING 19 When you go above and beyond for a customer and they don't tip well, how do you handle it? ~BARTENDING 20 How do you decide which customers to serve first when the bar is packed? ~COMPETENCY 21 How do you make a Dirty Martini? ~COMPETENCY 22 How do you make a Johnny Vegas drink? ~COMPETENCY 23 How do you treat customers on special occasions, like birthdays and bachelorette parties? ~COMPETENCY 24 How do you garnish a Manhattan? ~COMPETENCY 25 How do you engage with customers while making and serving drinks? ~COMPETENCY 26 Explain to me how you properly stir a cocktail. ~BARTENDING 27 Do you have any flaring techniques? ~BARTENDING 28 Tell me about the garnishes you enjoy using for various cocktails. ~BARTENDING 29 Besides making drinks, what roles do you think bartenders serve? ~BARTENDING 30 Do you enjoy socializing with strangers? ~BARTENDING
Rachelle Enns
Written by Rachelle Enns
30 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS · BARTENDING
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