Bartender Training Checklist

A bartender training checklist can help streamline the training process and ensure you train new bartenders on all necessary tasks and responsibilities. Continue reading to learn how you can better prepare your new bar staff and guide each one on how to become a bartender who operates tasks efficiently and with ease.

What is a Bartender Training Checklist?

A bar training checklist is a tool that operators and managers can use to ensure new bar staff have a full understanding of their role and responsibilities. This checklist can be used in addition to other checklists, like a bar cleaning checklist or bartender training manual, to set new bartenders up for success and ensure they feel confident enough to tackle their first solo shift.

The Benefits of a Bartender Training Checklist 

Now that you know what a bartender training manual template is, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using one and implementing it as part of your training process when hiring new bar staff and managers.

Bar Staff Skill Development

A bar manager checklist provides staff with a handy reference to ensure they’re aware of what’s expected of them, regardless of whether they’re a new or current employee. Specifically, for current bar staff, having a checklist provides them a single source of truth and an easy reference to refresh their skills if needed.

Consistency

Having a bartender training checklist ensures all new bar staff will be trained with the same knowledge and skills. This prevents any discrepancies throughout the training process when onboarding and training new bar staff.

Better Customer Experience

A bar manager checklist ensures new bartenders are trained to meet and even exceed the expectations and standards of the job. Therefore, with the proper training and knowledge, new bar staff can provide better and faster service, which can ultimately lead to a superior customer experience.

What’s Included in Our Bartender Training Checklist

Now that you know what the benefits are of a bartender bar checklist template, here is exactly what our bartender training manual template includes: tasks for onboarding, product knowledge and drink creation, bar preparation and service skills, and technology, equipment, and glassware knowledge.

For example, the onboarding tasks section consists of reviewing the following items:

• The employee handbook
• The training manual
• Health and safety procedures and guidelines, including kitchen safety, medical emergencies, allergies, and sanitization
• Dress code policy
• Job description, duties, and responsibilities

The product knowledge and drink creation tasks section consists of the following:

• Fully understanding essential bar and drink terminology
• Full knowledge of all wines, beers, and cocktails, as well as the description of each
• Know how to measure, pour, create, and serve all drinks on the menu (i.e. pouring beer and crafting specialty cocktails)
• Mastering mixology techniques with consistency (i.e. muddling, shaking, stirring, and layering)
• And more

The bar preparation and service skills section consists of the following:

• Knowing how to properly stock glassware (i.e. highballs, rocks glasses, wine glasses, etc.) ahead of service
• Learning how to restock disposable items (i.e. napkins, skewers, and straws) ahead of service
• Learning how to prepare and replenish garnishes (i.e. limes, cherries, olives, and lemons)
• Learning how to set up the keg(s)
• And more

The technology, equipment, and glassware knowledge consists of the following:

• Familiarizing yourself with essential tools (i.e. shakers, muddlers, and spoons) and how to use them
• Learning about the different glasses, as well as how and when to use each one
• Knowing how to properly take bar inventory and use the dedicated inventory management software
• Learning how to correctly open and close a bar tab using the POS system
• And more

Each section of our bartender bar checklist template contains important tasks and responsibilities that newly hired bartenders should know and learn how to do.

It’s clear that there are a lot of moving parts involved in working as a bar staff member, which is where a bartender bar checklist template, along with other tools, like a bartender training manual, comes in handy. 

Download our free bartender training checklist to better prepare your bartenders for their first solo shift!