Bartenders are always in demand, managing bars and serving customers in all kinds of venues, from hotels to exhibition centres to sporting grounds. If you have a friendly personality, a hardworking attitude, and a customer-oriented skillset, you’ll make an excellent addition to any bar team.

A perfect bartender CV tells an employer that you have experience working in various outlets such as bars, restaurants, and pubs. It will also outline specialist bartender skills like cocktail making and highlights the positive impact of your work.

To create a job application just like that, start by updating one of our CV examples. Read on for:

  • Sample bartender CV
  • Bartender CV templates
  • The best format for your bartender CV
  • How to write an effective CV for a bartender
  • Top dos and don’ts for bartender CV writing
  • Your bartender questions answered

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    Sample bartender CV

    Example CV For An Experienced Bartender

    Brett Hawkins
    53 Church Way
    Sheffield S1 9TH
    07912 345678
    b.hawkins@example.uk

    PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

    Skilled bar management professional able to improve team performance and grow bar sales through top management skills and business acumen. Strong passion for drinks and excellent service. Regularly performed till work, inventory, and shop closing duties. 

    WORK HISTORY

    Head Bartender, Jackson’s Wine and Dine
    Barnsley (February 2017 – Current)

    • Maximised employee morale and corrected performance issues according to established standards.
    • Oversaw an increase in positive online reviews for our establishment.
    • Set effective employee schedules that maintained coverage at peak times and reduced labour costs by 15% year on year.

    Bartender, Bar on the Green
    Barnsley (June 2014 – February 2017)

    • Maintained familiarity with the latest trends in mixology, bar equipment, and sanitation standards.
    • Performed closing duties including cleaning, sanitising, and replenishing.
    • Devised unique events and special promotions to drive sales. Increased revenue on Thursday nights by 7%.

    Bar-back, Kings’ Head
    Doncaster (May 2013 – May 2014)

    • Changed beer kegs.
    • Prepared mixed drinks and poured wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
    • Delivered food and beverage orders within established timeframes. Achieved 94% customer satisfaction rating on feedback forms.

    SKILLS

    • Balancing the till
    • Employee training
    • Extensive wine knowledge
    • Food service
    • Inventory controls
    • Marketing and sales experience
    • Organisational ability
    • Outstanding customer service
    • Strong communication skills

    EDUCATION

    GCSE, Grocery Road Academy
    Doncaster (2011)

    CERTIFICATIONS

    Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership (2016)

    INTERESTS

    Keen amateur student of the history of wine and gastronomy. Regular gym goer and talented chef with a love of Thai food. Spends downtime travelling the UK and beyond, sampling interesting food and drink to bring back to UK customers.

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    Bartender CV templates

    Using a professional CV template helps streamline the process of creating a well-organised job application. Our templates provide a clear structure for showcasing your skills, experience, and certifications, making it easier to stand out. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, a template will ensure that your CV is polished, easy to read and tailored to the hospitality industry.

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    The best format for your bartender CV

    Choosing the right format for your bartender CV is crucial to making a good first impression. There are two main formats to consider: the reverse chronological CV and the skills-based CV. Both formats highlight your qualifications in different ways, so it’s important to choose the one that best represents your experience and skills.

    The chronological CV is ideal if you have relevant experience in bartending or hospitality. This format places your most recent roles at the top, allowing employers to see your career progression at a glance. It’s perfect if you’ve worked in a variety of bar environments or want to highlight your growing expertise in mixology and customer service. This format ensures that your work history is clear and easy to follow.

    On the other hand, a skills-based CV is a great option if you’re new to bartending or switching from another industry. This format focuses on your skills and competencies rather than your work history. It’s ideal if you’ve developed transferable skills in customer service, teamwork, and multitasking, even if you’ve never worked as a bartender before. By highlighting your skills, this format emphasises your potential to succeed in the role.

    Whichever format you choose, keep the design clean, professional and easy to navigate. Make sure your CV includes sections for your personal information, personal statement, key skills, work experience, and certifications to provide a well-rounded overview of your qualifications.

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    How to write an effective CV for a bartender

    Creating an effective bartender CV is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and passion for hospitality. Whether you’re applying for your first bartending job or you’re a seasoned professional, it’s important to highlight the key attributes that make you stand out. Follow our detailed guide to create a standout bar CV:

    Adding contact details to your bartender CV

    Your contact details are one of the first things a recruiter will see, so it’s important to make them clear and easy to find. Place them at the top of your CV and include essential information: your full name, phone number, email address, and location. 

    Example contact section for a bartender CV

    Brett Hawkins
    53 Church Way
    Sheffield S1 9TH
    07912 345678
    b.hawkins@example.uk

    Writing your bartender CV’s personal statement

    Your personal statement (also known as a professional summary) is your chance to make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of your bartender CV. This section should be concise yet engaging, summarising your key skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the job. A well-written personal statement highlights your personality and passion for bartending while giving potential employers an insight into what you can bring to the role.

    A good personal statement should also express your passion for the hospitality industry and your eagerness to contribute to a positive customer experience. Keep it short – ideally no more than three to four sentences – and tailor it to the specific role you’re applying for.

    Example of a personal statement for a bartender CV

    Enthusiastic bartender with over two years of experience in fast-paced bar environments. Skilled in mixing drinks, providing exceptional customer service, and maintaining a clean, organised bar. Able to work well under pressure and always eager to create memorable experiences for customers.

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    Adding an experience section to your bartender CV

    The work experience section of your bartending CV is where you showcase your work history and highlight the skills you’ve developed in previous roles. This section allows you to demonstrate your expertise in bartending, customer service, and handling various bar duties. If you’re an experienced bartender, this is your chance to highlight your career progression and specific achievements, such as increasing sales, managing stock, or training new staff.

    When detailing your work experience, list your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include: 

    • the name of the company, 
    • your job title, 
    • the location 
    • and the dates you worked there. 

    Use bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and any measurable achievements, such as the number of drinks served per shift or improvements in customer satisfaction. Focus on what you’ve contributed to the business – whether it’s improving the drinks on offer, enhancing the customer experience, or ensuring the bar runs smoothly at peak times.

    If you’re new to bartending, you can still include relevant experience. For example, any customer-facing role – such as waitress or barista – will demonstrate transferable skills such as multi-tasking, communication, and problem-solving. In this case, highlight specific tasks related to the bartending role, such as handling cash, managing customer orders, or working in a fast-paced environment.

    Example of work experience for a bartender CV

    Head Bartender, Jackson’s Wine and Dine
    Barnsley (February 2017 – Current)

    • Maximised employee morale and corrected performance issues according to established standards.
    • Oversaw an increase in positive online reviews for our establishment.
    • Set effective employee schedules that maintained coverage at peak times and reduced labour costs by 15% year on year.

    Bartender, Bar on the Green
    Barnsley (June 2014 – February 2017)

    • Maintained familiarity with the latest trends in mixology, bar equipment, and sanitation standards.
    • Performed closing duties including cleaning, sanitising, and replenishing.
    • Devised unique events and special promotions to drive sales.

    Top skills for your bartender CV

    When writing your bartending CV, it’s important to showcase a mix of hard and soft skills. Employers are looking for bartenders who not only excel in technical aspects such as drink preparation but also provide exceptional customer service.

    Including a mix of essential and desirable skills demonstrates your ability as a bartender and your potential to thrive in a competitive environment. Highlighting these skills will ensure you’re noticed by recruiters:

    Essential skills for a bartender

    • Balancing the till
    • Extensive beer knowledge
    • Extensive wine knowledge
    • Food service
    • Inventory controls
    • Outstanding customer service
    • Strong communication skills
    • Alcohol ordering
    • Maintained a hygienic bar

    Desirable skills to set you apart

    • Employee training
    • Marketing and sales experience
    • Organisational ability
    • Cocktail list development
    • Courteous
    • Strong communication skills
    • Suggestive selling
    • Organisational ability
    • Outstanding customer service
    • Problem solving

    Outlining education on a bartender CV

    Your education section is an important part of your bartending CV, highlighting any formal qualifications or relevant training that sets you apart from other candidates. While bartending doesn’t usually require a degree, certain certifications or courses can give you an advantage, demonstrating your dedication to your craft and your understanding of the industry.

    In this section, include details such as:

    • the name of the institution, 
    • the qualification or course name, 
    • and the dates you attended or completed it. 

    Relevant qualifications may include certificates in responsible alcohol service, mixology, or food safety. If you have a background in hospitality or business management, this is also valuable information to include.

    If you’re new to bartending, highlight any transferable skills or relevant training from previous customer service roles. Employers appreciate candidates who show a commitment to improving their skills, so any additional certifications or workshops related to bartending will enhance your CV.

    Example of education for a bartender CV

    Bartending & Mixology Certification
    Hospitality Training Academy | London, UK | 2021

    • Focused on cocktail preparation, bar operations, and customer interaction.

    Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate
    Culinary Arts Institute | London, UK | 2020

    • Covered alcohol safety, hygiene standards, and proper handling of food.

    High School Diploma
    London Secondary School | London, UK | 2018

    Top dos and don’ts for bartender CV writing

    DO

    • DO highlight commitment to ongoing training

      Showcase any professional development or additional training as this will showcase clear ongoing commitment and interest in the industry, which makes you look like a solid candidate with ambitions.

    • DO show your personality

      Recruiters are interested in learning about how your personality and skillset will fit with the existing team. They are keen to understand your background and special training too, so if you have an interest in the history of wine, make sure you include that.

    DON’T

    • DON’T make your CV too long

      Avoid making your CV too detailed. A bartender CV should ideally be one page. Focus on your most relevant experience, skills, and qualifications to keep it concise and to the point. Recruiters often review a large number of CVs, so clarity and brevity are key to grabbing their attention.

    • DON’T include irrelevant experience

      Stick to experience that is directly related to bartending or customer service. Avoid listing jobs that don’t highlight transferable skills or knowledge. For example, retail experience may be relevant to customer service, but unrelated positions will only distract from your core bartending qualifications.

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    Your bartender questions answered

    In summary, what do you include on a CV for a bartender?

    You should include your skills, work history, and bartending achievements on your CV for bar work:

    • A summary of skills such as managing staff and driving sales.
    • Work experience including duties like reducing labour costs, developing special promotions, and delivering food and drink orders.
    • Skills such as balancing a till and controlling inventories
    • Certifications such as an NVQ.

    What is required to be a bartender?

    While formal training is not always required to become a bartender, customer service experience, particularly in the food and beverage industry, is essential. Bartenders should also be familiar with the tools of the trade, such as shakers, strainers, and jiggers, as well as understand the basics of drink recipes, pouring techniques, and bar equipment. In addition, many employers require bartenders to be certified in responsible beverage service, particularly in the responsible handling of alcohol and compliance with local regulations.

    What qualities make a good bartender?

    A good bartender has strong interpersonal skills and can interact with a wide range of customers while maintaining a positive attitude. They should be quick on their feet, able to multitask, and deal with high-pressure situations, especially during busy hours. 

    Attention to detail is essential to ensure that drinks are prepared to perfection and that the bar is well stocked and organised. A good bartender is also a team player, working seamlessly with other members of staff, and should have a good understanding of the alcohol served, as well as the ability to maintain a clean and safe environment.

    How can I write a good bartender CV with no experience?

    If you’re new to bartending and have no work experience, focus on transferable skills and relevant qualities that can be valuable in the role. Start by highlighting any customer service experience you have, even if it’s in a different industry, as this will demonstrate your ability to interact with people, handle difficult situations, and work under pressure. Highlight any skills such as multi-tasking, communication, and teamwork. 

    You can also include any relevant courses, certifications, or volunteer work that demonstrates your commitment to learning the profession. In your CV’s personal statement, express your enthusiasm for bartending and your eagerness to contribute to a positive customer experience.

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    Building a CV that shows who you are and appeals to an employer can seem like a tough task. Our bartender CV example and templates provide the framework for you to get started, and our tips will help you draft brilliant content. Once you’ve chosen the format and layout, we’ll help you with the content to create a CV that convinces recruiters you’re the best person for the job.

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