Over 6,000 bars are speckled across the great state of Texas. And if things really are as big as they say they are, imagine your future bartending career.
You might be asking yourself tons of questions like, “how do I get started bartending in Texas” or plenty of others. If that sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll answer all your questions, plus more.
Whether you’re in Dallas, Austin, or Houston, this guide made by expert instructors at Local Bartending School will show you how to bartend in Texas. Ready? Let’s get started!
How do I become a bartender in Texas with no experience?
Well, first and foremost you’ll need to be 18 years of age or older before you become a bartender or alcohol seller in Texas. The TABC (Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission) states, “No person under 18 can be employed to sell, prepare, serve or handle alcoholic beverages or assist in doing so.”
If you’re over that minimum age, congratulations! You can start bartending and snag your TABC certification or bartending license, even with no experience. Local Bartending School recommends that you:
- Start as a barback or cocktail server
- Learn the lingo
- Go to a reputable bartending school
We know there’s a lot more that goes into snagging your first bar job. So much so that we’ve created an entire article on how to become a bartender with no experience.
What’s the average pay for a bartender in Texas?
Salaries typically start from $16,669 and go up to $45,212. Of course, this ranges based on a few things like experience, where you work, and check averages. But typically you can expect to earn around $12-40 an hour plus tips.
The average amount of tips reported by day for most bartenders is around $250 per day, but good bartenders get $600 and more – depending on location.
How long does it take to become a bartender in Texas?
Training at a new bartending job usually takes about two weeks. But before you land a new gig and actually serve alcohol by your lonesome, you’ll need to get certified. At bartending schools in local Texas cities, this process can take several weeks—even months!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait that long to kick your bartending career. Local Bartender School can have you 100% ready to go in just one, short week.
What certification or license does Texas require?
Despite the lack of a legal requirement to be certified, many employers still demand it. So before you go job hunting, it may help to already have that done. You’ll be able to start making money faster since you won’t have to go through additional training as a part of your onboarding.
What are the best bars to work in Texas?
The best bars to work is purely a subjective thing, so don’t be afraid to decide on whether or not the others are not for you.
But statewide, Texas employees a ton of bartenders. Some of the most popular places to work are:
- Paradies Lagardère
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Hillstone Restaurant Group
- Trattoria Lisina
- Uncle Julio’s
What drinks should I know how to make in Texas?
The types of drinks you’ll be making change greatly depending on where you live and work in Texas, but if there are two recipes you need to know you might practice margaritas and Palomas. Luckily for you, we have those recipes (and more!) over at Local Bartending School.
You Call It Weird, We Call it Texas: Odd Bartending Laws
Some laws (like the ones we went over earlier) you just need to know. Others are so weird you can’t let them go. Here are a few of both:
- When accompanied by a legal guardian — and the bar allows minors under 21 — a minor can drink with their parents
- For competitive reasons, the TABC prevents craft beers and other alcoholic beverages from being sold exclusively at one restaurant or retailer.
- It is against the regulations of the TABC that restaurants or retailers can sell craft beers or other alcoholic beverages exclusively.
Is Texas a good place to bartend?
We think so! But our team at Local Bartending School thinks everywhere is a good place to bartend. So, we thought we’d let you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.
“In Texas, tending bar is all about making yourself unique and interesting to customers – we’ve got all the stereotypes you can imagine in bartenders, so you have to stand out.” – madhatter13
“We do brunch hard in Dallas.” – Klondeikbar
“The tips will be good, but you’ll have to get used to some crazy ass laws. Google TABC regulations.”
Everything’s Bigger in Texas, Including Your Bartending Career
Don’t wait another day to start your bartending or mixology journey! Get your bartender certification in only one week with the help of LBS expert instructors through their nationally-recognized certification course, no matter what city you call home in The Lonestar State. From San Antonio to Houston, you’ll find the interactive online course you need.
