What is a bartending license?

A bartending license is a license your state requires an individual to have in order to serve alcohol at a bar legally. A bartending license shows that the candidate has successfully passed a program certified by the state government in the responsible serving of liquor. Each state has unique requirements, with some requiring a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit and others mandating an Alcohol Education Card.

Be sure to research the laws surrounding bartender licensing in the state where your restaurant or event space operates, as no single bartending license is valid across all 50 states. When advertising the job, you’ll need to be specific so that applicants who progress to the interview stage can legally serve alcoholic beverages in your state.

It’s fairly straightforward to obtain one of the licenses online from an accredited program like Learn2Serve. If your ideal candidate doesn’t have the license at the time of the interview, you may hire them conditionally and require them to complete the licensing process before their first shift.

What is a bartender certification?

Unlike a bartending license, a bartender certification indicates the applicant has experience serving and mixing alcoholic beverages. While licensing programs like Learn2Serve can be completed online very quickly for legal purposes, a bartender certification course typically involves multiple hours of hands-on practice.

As an employer, you’ll benefit significantly from someone who has taken the time to earn a proper certification in the craft of bartending. They’ll have a more in-depth knowledge of mixology and will likely produce better drinks for customers than someone who simply has the legal license but no formal training.

An example of a certification in bartending is from the National Bartending School in California and New York. A course at this institution allows the student to earn a certification in bartending and mixology. Skills people graduating from the program can expect to gain include:

• Sanitation
• Handling money
• Inventory control
• Glassware
• Liquor substitutes
• Cutting off customers
• Using bar tools

Any employer will agree these are all assets when applying for a bartending position. However, they are not a substite for a legal permit to serve alcohol in your state. That’s why including both a certification and licensing requirement on your job posting qualification requirements is beneficial.

Can I hire someone without a certification who has a license?

It’s essential to note that while you could hire someone with the license and no certification to serve alcohol, it’s likely you cannot legally hire someone with a certification but no license. The certification can be considered a “nice to have” addition to an applicant’s resume because it indicates they understand the art of mixing and serving drinks in a professional manner.

The bartending license is a “must-have” credential because you cannot allow someone to serve alcohol on your premises without the legal qualifications. Refer to your state guidelines to find out what requirements your employees must adhere to regarding permits and licensing.

Bartending license FAQs

Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about bartending qualifications in the United States to understand what to look for in a bartender.

What happens if I hire a bartender with no license?

If you hire a bartender who has a certification but does not have the necessary permit or license to serve alcohol in your state legally, your restaurant could face consequences. It’s possible for your bar to lose its liquor license due to unqualified staff serving alcohol.

What should I look for when hiring a bartender?

Besides the legal qualifications and formal training in mixology, there are some soft skills you’ll want to look for in people applying for your bartending position. A good bartender should:

• Be open, friendly, and easy to talk to
• Be a team player
• Understand how to handle money
• Have natural sales skills
• Be emotionally intelligent
• Have an optimistic outlook
• Possess a sense of genuine curiosity and a desire to learn

What interview questions should I ask a bartender?

When you’re interviewing candidates for the bartending position, you’ll want to get them talking by asking open-ended questions that inspire conversation. This allows you to get a good sense of how they interact with people, whether they’re easy to chat with, and if they can listen actively when you respond. You can ask:

• Tell me about your background and how you got into bartending?
• What’s your favorite drink to make and why? Which do you find most challenging?
• Do you have an alcohol-serving license and any formal training or certifications in this field?
• Why do you enjoy this line of work? What do you look forward to most at the beginning of every shift?
• What hours/days are you available to work? Is your schedule flexible?

What is the primary task of a bartender?

While you might think that a bartender’s priority is to be a social butterfly and satisfy customers, the real reason you’re hiring this person is for their ability to sell drinks. Think of bartending as a sales position. The correct person for the job needs to close deals with charisma and identify individuals who are open to buying. Using their emotional intelligence and social skills, a good bartender can boost your venue’s revenue by making a high sales volume each shift.