You’re a mixology master and a well-rounded artiste who understands the balance of flavors, aroma, and character. Use our tips and samples to prove that on your bartender resume.
You’ve seen and heard some pretty weird stuff in your time, and know you’ve got what it takes to rock out any bar with the most sophisticated cocktails ever...but you have no place to show that off.
You’ve been on the job market for weeks now, but you still keep reaching that dead end. Find out how to juice up your bartender cover letter and land a job with our proven recipe for success.
In this article:
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Let’s take a look at what a professional cover letter looks like by analyzing two great bartender cover letter samples:
First, meet Mark, a professional bartender from Chicago, who’s looking for a new career opportunity at one of the most renowned bars in the Windy City.
He’s got the skills, qualifications and experience to take care of clients in a prestigious setting, such as the one at Turquoise Water Lounge. So let’s take a look at how he manages to sell himself as the best person for the job:
Mark Rodriguez
Bartender
622 Farland Street
Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: 773-949-5101
Email: mark.rodriguez@gmail.com
Chicago, September 1, 2021
Nola Thom
Manager
Turquoise Water Lounge
5816 N Jersey Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
Dear Ms. Thom,
I’m writing to you today to apply for the position of Bartender at Turquoise Water Lounge, which I saw posted on ZipRecruiter. As a professional and attentive person with 8+ years of experience in customer service and hospitality, I believe the bartender position at your facility would allow me to effectively use my soft skills and my experience as a bartender.
As you can see from my resume, I have been a bartender since I was in college, when I began my career from serving beer at a small local roadhouse. Since then, I have mastered the classics, as well as the science of crafting unique, signature drinks. During my time at Mighty Rabbit Club, I have demonstrated the ability to multitask at a fast pace, while dealing with various situations/individuals with over 1,000 customers weekly. As bar manager, I have collected more than $30,000 in gross revenue/tips on a monthly basis and hired, trained, and managed bar staff of 9 to uphold service standards, drink quality, and customer satisfaction and retention.
Working at a cocktail lounge of your reputation would be a great opportunity for me to develop my skills even more, and I am sure that I can become a valuable asset to your team.
Could we please schedule a meeting to discuss the position and what I can do for your company?
Kind regards,
Mark Rodriguez
773-949-5101
mark.rodriguez@gmail.com
This one will definitely make the recruiter’s heart beat faster! The cover letter makes a great first impression, because Mark excellently used his previous experience to prove his skills. And he gets extra points for using numbers!
“But I don’t have that kind of experience!”, you might say.
Don’t worry, there’s a way to write a great cover letter with no experience as well. Meet Jodi. She’s starting out in the bartending world with nothing but some basic restaurant experience. She’s never mixed drinks before, but knows how to take care of customers.
And that’s half the battle. Here’s how she leverages her skills to her advantage:
Jodi Blaisdell
Bartender
899 Thompson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 562-537-8284
Email: jodi.r.blaisdell@yahoo.com
Gardena, September 1, 2021
Benita Matthews
Owner
Hazy Bicycle Garage
11643 Ruthelen St
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Dear Ms. Matthews,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself as an applicant for the Bartender position at Hazy Bicycle Garage. As a 3rd year college student, I have several years of server experience and I am confident that my skills and qualifications complement your needs.
I am a passionate individual who is eager to provide exceptional service to all of your guests by preparing alcoholic and specialty drinks. Following are some highlights of my strengths, which would enable me to contribute to Hazy Bicycle Garage effectively:
I appreciate your time and consideration, and hope that my skills and experience align with your needs. I'm attaching my resume, and you'll note that I've taken the time to get TIPS-certified.
I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to learn more about mixology and craft whiskey. Can we set aside some time to discuss the opportunity in further detail?
Best regards,
Jodi Blaisdell
562-537-8284
jodi.r.blaisdell@yahoo.com
Nice one. You can be sure she’ll be meeting with Benita in no time. So, now that you’ve seen two great bartender cover letter examples… are you ready to write yours? Here’s a guide on what to include in your cover letter to make it look professional and flawless:
Here how to write a great bartender cover letter:
Those few lemon drops at the end of mixing a drink can make a whole lot of difference. So simple, yet so powerful. You know what else seems meaningless but really isn’t? Bad typography, wrong margins, bad alignment…
That’s right. Incorrect cover letter formatting can ruin your chances of getting that dream job.
So here’s how to correctly format your cover letter:
And those are your lemon drops! Now let’s move on to the hard stuff:
First rule to remember when creating your application letter heading? Always make sure that it matches your resume header.
But most importantly both of them have to include your personal information and contact details. Address and job title are optional. Feel free to use the template below:
[ Your First & Last Name]
[ Job Title or Branding Statement ] (Optional)
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ LinkedIn URL ]
[ Date of Writing ]
[ Asst. Principal or Principal’s Full Name ]
[ Their Position Title ]
[ School Name ]
[ School Street Address ]
[ City, State, Zip Code ]
Nothing crazy, but SO important.
Expert Hint: If you’re emailing your cover letter, a heading is not required. But there are other things to keep in mind, so make sure you familiarize yourself with all the do’s and dont’s.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
At the start of your cover letter, give them the first sip and make clear which position you’re applying for, and quickly introduce yourself by summarizing your qualifications.
Did you know that you have only 6 seconds? That’s the amount of time recruiters spend on one job application. Make yours count.
Your first paragraph should be short, sweet and tangy, so give them something that will make them want to read more. Remember to start your letter with addressing the hiring manager by name to make it more personal.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:
When I saw that you are looking for a [Position Title] at [Target Restaurant/Bar/Lounge Name], I was thrilled. As a bartender with [X]+ years of experience, with [two or three relevant skills you have] expertise, I’m certain I can exceed your expectations as a bartender.
Expert Hint: Don’t know who to address your cover letter to? When it comes to bars and restaurants, it will most likely be a manager or the owner. Call the location and ask—they should be able to give you that information offhand.
The next portion of your cover letter should be tailored to the bartending job description. Use the same keywords used in your resume. If you’re not sure where to find them, follow these steps:
Check out this template below:
Inside the job listing, it mentions that you’re searching for a Bartender with experience in [Bartending Job Responsibilities From Job Posting]. As a [Previous or Current Job Title] with [Name of Previous or Current Company], I became quite skilled with [Give Several of Your Proudest and Most Relevant Tasks, With Numbers, If Possible, to Show Results]. I know that I’d be able to achieve similar success were I to be hired at [Restaurant/Bar/Lounge Name].
Expert Hint: Want to increase your chances? Certain states may require you to obtain a certification in order to responsibly sell and serve alcoholic beverages. Find out if the state and / or employer requires any kind of training before you apply.
There may be dozens of people lining up for the same job that you’re applying for, but it’s also your responsibility to make the employer feel like this is the only one you want. So show enthusiasm and passion.
Maybe you’re a big fan of their loaded bloody marys and stop by their place for brunch every Sunday? Or you’re just super hyped about creating new signature cocktails for their themed events? Whatever it is that’s drawing you to them, make sure they know it.
Use this sample cover letter for bartending jobs as a guide:
I’m a huge fan of your [something you genuinely admire about the place]. Working for such a renowned [bar/restaurant/lounge/club] would be such a great opportunity for me to grow and to put my skills to work, while keeping your standards high. It would be an honor for me to be counted among your employees as the next [Target Position Name] at [Company Name].
Your cover letter closing should be nothing more than a simple request for an interview. Be bold like a whiskey sour, but leave a tinge of sweetness on the palate. Bland phrases like:
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
“Thank you so much for your time and consideration.”
Will be forgotten like a Dirty Martini.
Here’s an example of a bartender cover letter ending that works:
Let’s schedule a meeting or a call to discuss how my [your strongest skill/achievement] can help [Target Company Name] achieve [their goals/something important to them]?
Best regards,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Haven’t written your resume yet? Make sure to see our Bartender Resume Sample & Guide.
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When composing your bartending cover letter, remember to:
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Aleksandra is a career expert with a solid professional background in various industries. At ResumeLab, she shares her knowledge, insights and expertise with all applicants looking to make a career move with a perfect resume and cover letter that guarantee recognition and success.
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