Ho much does an average bartender make? per shift? per week?

i think it depends on the location!

Approx $100 - $150 per weekend shift at a restaurant bar, more at a hot nightclub. You won't make this money for doing nothing; this is not easy work. Your average draw in a big city ... part time ... will range between $500 to $700 per week if you have a true knack for the job. I speak from past experience: I bartended as a supplemental job in Dallas from 1989 to 1992.

I know someone who works at Swamp Daddy's in Arlington, Lincoln Square and he pulls in $500 on an average night working 5PM to 3AM. He always works Thur.,Fri.,Sat.,and Sun. which are the money making days. That's $50 an hour, but he hates his job.(Really, who wants to spend that much time in a bar around drunks???)

I worked as a bartender for years. Currently doing it as a second job. It all depends on where you work, what kind of business the place does. You will make more money once you have some experinece, and once you have regular customers. Currently I work in a TINY bar that is slow to moderate in business. Make between $65 (weeknight, slow) and $200 (weekend, busy) I've worked in other places that are always crowded and I would average $30/hour. I've gone home from other places with $35 in my pocket for the night. Tips arent reliable. Best would be to ask the current bartenders at the places you are applying.