What is the best advice someone can give to a male bartender just starting out, to make the most money?

Ignore the small/no tippers, give loads of service to the big tippers. Bottom line. You have to be fast -- don't waste your time on the deadbeats, and make 'em wait. Shower attention on the big tippers, over pour, and give 'em anything they want. Bend the rules and make 'em think you NEVER do that (depending on where you work, like if you work for a big chain, this may not be possible). If the drink recipes are not programmed into your system, bring a basic listing with you. If you can't remember the ingredients to a particular drink (like a stone sour -- is it grapefruit or orange juice?) don't be afraid to ask the customer (I rarely make those...remind me -- what is in that?) Sure, it may sound awkward, but the customer will apreciate the drink made right the first time. Also, it NEVER hurts to flirt with both sexes (if you're a guy you wouldn't believe the number of guys with gfriends or wives who give off a gay vibe, and you need to work it). I'm not saying jump over the bar and make out with them, but work it. I've had loads of married men give me huge tips for merely flirting. If you have half a brain, you'll figure it out. Bartending is not about ability so much as it is about personality. I've never bartended as a full time job, just part time, but I made loads of fat cash.

make each and every customer feel as if you are very happy to see them. get to know regulars names and greet them with a big smile and make them feel that you are so glad they came in again. flirting is not a great idea as it seperates by gender and you want them all to feel good plus jealousy can get involved it can just be a mess dealing with the spouses and leading to false assumptions. ugh! when a customer has no idea what they want to drink ask what they like, sweet sour spicy etc and have a selection of each to offer. if you notice a customer always has a certain drink ie: blended fruity, tell them you have a new similar drink they might like. whip up a small taste for them attention attention attention. they are not there to notice you they want you to notice them never ever let them hear you say they are cheap tippers or let them hear you say some cheapo only left a dollar

What everyone else said are very good pointers, but they're missing the most important. Act in a way that you're happy your customers are there. Laugh, smile and have a good time. This takes skill, because all customers are different in the amount of liveliness they want when they visit a bar. Feel your customers out. The most important thing is going the extra mile to make them feel at home, and make them feel privledged that they're a guest of yours. Never be grumpy. Leave your personal life at the front door. Follow these and you will get great tips. Doing this will also give you new customers. A person that has a great experience at a bar tells 5 people. A person that has a bad experience tells 20 people....remember that and you'll do just fine.

Smile when approaching people, it shows warmth and that you are interested in them. I think that you should be able to diplomatically be able to pull yourself away from a chatter box tha is holding you up. Like hold on there buddy duty calls. Also always look your best, it shows you are clean and gives off a confident feeling. I hate going to a bar and you have to shout at the bartender if your not a regular, or if your breasts arent hanging out.

make sure you shake everyone's hand. let them know that even a small tip is a big deal. you will make 60% more money this way

Flatter the ladies.

My best advice is to SMILE and greet people as they come in. Don't tell them that even a small tip is a big deal. That implies that they are small tippers, and it's just plain rude to ask for money. People will tip. You don't have to ask them to. Just be friendly, but use caution as a male bartender that you don't come off as gay. (Unless you are) Girls can flirt in a lot more ways than guys. As far as actually making the drinks, get the complete bartenders hand book. Also, start asking around because a lot of the trendy new drinks aren't in the book. Ask a question here about some new drinks/shots. A lot of times the customer will also help you if it's something they drink a lot. Good luck to you!!!

My husband and I have owned nightclubs and been in restaurant and bar management for years. The staff who made the most in tips had the following going for them: 1. Make every customer feel as if they are a guest in your home. 2. Stay professional. Being too flirty can and will put some of your high dollar tippers off. 3. Practice, practice, practice. Know your drinks as well as the garnish and right glass. 4. Know and follow your state liquor laws. You never know who is your next customer. You protect yourself, your employer, and your customer if you do not break the law. 5. Learn bar tricks. I have had several staff members that have earned in excess of 600.00 in a night just from the bar trick tips she learned. There are a lot of them listed on line. Just go to webcrawler.com and type in bar tricks. I wish you the very best in your new line of work. Just remember as long as you love your job you will never work a day in your life! Hope this helps.

I tended bar for years and first of all, hope you like cutting fruit, washing glasses and tidying up because it is a lot of work. Tips do not come because you are a great personality, listen to peoples problems or make a great martini. Tips are a very personal pre-decided amount people have come up with out of not wanting to look bad, It will usually b e nothing or a buck. Your tips are going to come from the cocktail waitresses. They give ten percent of their tips so make them happy, let them be prompt and they will tip you well, make them wait one time, and they will nail you. Most people are looking for just one reason to not tip you or tip less. So , be as fast as you can on the drink making and that is all you can do. One thing to remember is, treat your best tipping waitress the best and with prejudice. Let it be known, she gets better treatment because she is such a good tipper and the rest will come around. That is how it is in reality