Welcome to Shake, Sip, Serve, your one-stop shop for all things bartending.
I’m your host, KAD, and I’ve been slinging drinks and navigating the world of hospitality for over two decades. I’ve perfected my bartending skills, experimented with countless flavor combinations, and learning a thing or two about how to keep the party going behind the bar.
Whether you’re a seasoned bartender like me just looking for some fresh inspiration or a complete beginner who is eager to whip up impressive cocktails at home, Shake, Sip, Serve is here to be your guide. In the below blog, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience on everything from classic cocktails and innovative new creations to essential bartending techniques and industry secrets.
I’ll also be offering tips on stocking your home bar, mastering the art of presentation, and creating a memorable experience for your guests. So, grab your shaker, dust off your favorite glassware, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey into the world of bartending!
Let’s Shake, Sip, and Serve up something amazing together.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The Traditional Bar Career Path
Most bartending careers follow a natural progression.
I was very lucky to have jumped the que and started right in the deep of it behind the bar; however, this isn’t how this industry always works.
Here’s what it looks like in Australia:
Casual Barback / Glassie ( our heart and soul of the bar)
- Entry-level role: clearing glasses, washing, restocking fridges.
- Essential to learn bar flow and teamwork.
- Often the fastest way to get noticed and promoted.
A glassy is the heart of the bar in my opinion. Without a clean tidy bar to work with that has an endless supply of glassware, there is no bartender. Let that sink in.
Bartender
- Making and serving drinks, taking payments, chatting with customers.
- Mastering pouring techniques, cocktails, and RSA compliance.
- This stage builds confidence and technical skill.
Bar Supervisor
- Assisting managers, handling cash-ups, training new staff.
- Ensuring RSA laws are followed (refusing service, checking IDs).
- First taste of leadership and responsibility.
Bar Manager
- Running operations: staffing, stock orders, compliance, events.
- Requires strong leadership, customer service, and financial skills.
- In some venues, managers also liaise with liquor licensing authorities.
RSA Tip: In NSW, managers must ensure all staff are RSA-certified and may need advanced certifications depending on the venue.
Options Outside the Traditional Bar
Not all bartenders stick to pubs and cocktail bars. Hospitality opens doors to exciting industries:
- Cruise Ships:
Travel the world while working onboard. Often intense hours but great pay and international experience.
Working on cruise ships is one of the most adventurous bartending options. You get to travel the world while earning a solid income, with all accommodation and meals covered on board. The hours can be long and the pace intense—serving hundreds of guests daily—but the payoff is international experience, tax-free savings potential, and a chance to meet people from all walks of life. Many bartenders return home with not just skills but incredible life stories and global connections. - Festivals & Events:
From Splendour in the Grass to the Australian Open, festival bars need skilled bartenders. Great short-term contracts with high energy.
These gigs are usually short-term contracts, ideal for bartenders who want seasonal work with great energy and variety. It’s a chance to experience the thrill of massive crowds, music, and entertainment while honing speed and efficiency. Plus, event bartending often comes with great networking opportunities in both hospitality and events management. - Mobile Bars:
Popular for weddings, corporate functions, and pop-up events. Many bartenders eventually start their own mobile bar businesses.
Mobile bartending is booming—covering weddings, corporate events, pop-ups, and private parties. Many bartenders gain experience working for mobile bar companies before eventually launching their own business, offering cocktails and bar setups tailored to different clients. It’s a fantastic path for those who enjoy flexibility and entrepreneurship, as you control your branding, pricing, and style of service. Mobile bartending often feels more personal too—you’re part of someone’s special celebration, not just another shift. - Luxury Hotels & Resorts:
High-end hospitality, often cocktail and wine-focused. Perfect if you enjoy structure and five-star service.
For bartenders who enjoy structure, polish, and prestige, high-end hotels and resorts are the way to go. These venues often emphasize cocktail craftsmanship, fine wines, and top-tier service, making them perfect for honing advanced bartending skills. You’ll be catering to international guests, VIPs, and business travelers, which means high expectations but also high rewards. It’s also a career path with strong opportunities for promotion into supervisory or management roles, or even into beverage ambassador positions with luxury brands.
I once did a pop up cocktail bar for my friend’s daughter’s 21st.
Spent 8 hours making my most dreaded cocktail… The Espresso Margarita.
Although the hard work was unforgettable and I had to trek home smelling of a coffee shop.
These gigs prove bartending isn’t just a job; it’s an adventure.
Extra Training & Certificates to Advance
While an RSA is mandatory everywhere, additional training can open doors and boost your career:
- Cocktail Courses / Mixology Training: Teaches balance, presentation, and advanced cocktail skills.
- Advanced RSA / Refresher Courses: Keeps you updated with compliance changes.
- RSA Marshals (NSW only): In venues trading after midnight, RSA Marshals patrol to enforce RSA. This role requires extra training and can lead to higher responsibility (and pay).
- First Aid or Conflict Management: Adds value for supervisors/managers, especially in busy nightclubs.
- Hospitality Management Diplomas (TAFE): For those aiming at venue management or ownership.
Tip: Training is an investment. Managers notice staff who go beyond the basics.
How Bartending Can Open Doors to Travel & Events
One of bartending’s biggest perks is its portability. With a shaker and an RSA, you can work almost anywhere:
- International Work: Australia’s hospitality reputation is strong. Aussie bartenders are sought-after in London, Canada, and Asia.
- Travel-friendly jobs: Cruise ships, ski resorts, beach clubs.
- Event work: Weddings, corporate launches, festivals, sports events — bartenders make these events come alive.
- Networking opportunities: Behind the bar, you meet people from all industries. Those connections often lead to future gigs.
note: Bartending took me places I never expected from Sydney rooftop bars to private events where I mixed drinks for celebrities.
If you put in the work, bartending can open doors to incredible experiences.
Takeaways
- The career pathway often starts at glassie/barback and can lead to bar manager roles.
- Outside traditional venues, bartenders can explore festivals, cruise ships, luxury hotels, and mobile bars.
- Extra training like cocktail courses or RSA Marshal certification can fast-track promotions.
- Bartending is a global career, opening opportunities for travel, networking, and event work.
The bartending community is a vibrant and supportive one, and I’m excited to build that community here on Shake, Sip, Serve.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below.
What are you shaking up these days?
What topics would you like to see covered in future posts?
Let’s connect and continue the conversation!
Liquor & Gaming NSW: This website provides information on liquor licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, and regulations for serving alcohol in NSW. It’s essential for anyone working in the hospitality industry in NSW. You can find it here: https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/