Las Vegas Bartenders

Back
8th January 2024

Bartenders in Las Vegas are considered to be among the best in the world. They undergo vigorous training and have to acquire licenses before they can compete for jobs. Bartending is a career goal, rather than a part-time job, and only the very best are employed.
Las Vegas casinos are filled with waitresses and “bevertainers”, who are usually female and dressed in as few clothes as possible. Their purpose is to be sexy and beautiful, and bring in the customers. However, it is the bartenders who possess the skills and knowledge to rival that of any other bartender around the world. Before they can serve drinks behind the bar, they are put through their paces at bartending School. Las Vegas has many of these including ABC Bartending Schools, ACE Bartending Academy and the Techniques of Alcohol Management School. These offer the skills and techniques required behind the bar, including drink recipes, how to set up and close a bar, customer service skills and the history behind spirits. Students leave confident in their training having completed anything from 20-60 hours’ worth of lessons.

Potential bartenders must then acquire their work cards. A sheriff’s card is required for all employees in the casino industry so that the State of Nevada may license and investigate employees as needed. A TAM card is also required by most workplaces as it proves that the employee has the knowledge required to work behind the bar.
Once all the paperwork is done, getting a job is difficult, particularly for men. The competition is high, and most bartenders start out as bar backs. Their jobs are to set up and close the bar. They ensure the stock of drinks is kept full, and occasionally are used to serve certain drinks. This job is considered excellent experience and usually leads on to full time bartending.

Although the pay is not more than one would expect for a bartender, the tips can be immense. Rich people are constantly throwing money around in Vegas, and the bartenders get their fair share. When someone has a large win, they will often head to the bar to celebrate. Bartenders are considered an excellent source of information about which machines have been most played without a win, and are often treated as the customer’s friend. The training the bartenders go through in order to get their jobs may seem excessive, but the tips more than make up for money spent. Most Las Vegas bartenders find themselves very well off.

Pardon the interruption

Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.

Filed with tags

More to explore

The History of the Alexander

The Alexander, a classic dessert cocktail, has a rich history and distinct place in the world of mix...

Mastering the Shake

Cocktail shaking is an art that goes beyond a simple act of mixing ingredients. It's a fundamental s...

Mastering the Mojito: Your Ultimate Guide to the Classic Cocktail

Welcome to the ultimate guide to mastering the Mojito, a classic cocktail that epitomizes the essenc...

Tag cloud

Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.

Bartender's top tip

Stirring cocktails instead of shaking is better for cocktails with delicate ingredients that need to be mixed gently for the perfect taste.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get tips straight into your inbox.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating