bartenders vs. servers

There is a huge difference between bartenders and servers not only at the Irish Democrat, but other places too.

Let me explain...

Servers:

-Paid less hourly (about $4.35)

-Makes more in tips

-Does not make any drinks

-Delivers all food and drinks to tables

-Clears food from tables

-Washes/resets tables

-Rolls silverware

-Extra duties include: wiping down menus, bleaching coffee pots, wiping down high chairs and booster seats (these are set duties assigned according to your shift aka "side work")

Bartenders:

-Paid more hourly (at least minimum wage--raises are possible)

-Makes less in tips than servers (since they sell less food, it's not likely they'll exceed what a server makes on a typical shift)

-Receives 15% of each server's drink sales, regardless of how much they make in tips

-Stocks entire bar with alcohol and ice as needed

-Takes all ToGo orders

-Hand wash ALL glasses (frosty mugs, shot glasses, pint glasses, etc.)

-Refills and makes ALL drinks for servers and customers at the bar

-Splits tips among other bartenders (on weekend nights there are 3 bartenders and on weekdays and nights there are 2. On Sundays there is only 1 bartender because it is less busy)

I think it's important to know the difference because some diners simply don't understand everything that needs to be done. I remember being out to eat with my mom once, and she was complaining that the bartender was ignoring us. I had to explain to her that they probably had a lot more going on than it seemed--making drinks for servers, washing dishes, etc.

A very popular drink at the Irish Democrat is the Irish Car Bomb. It comes with a shot and a half pint of Guinness (an Irish beer). You actually drop the shot glass into the beer and drink the entire thing! Drink it fast or it will start to curdle like old milk!!

-MJ