How To Become a Bartender in NYC
Thinking of becoming a bartender in the city that never sleeps? Whether you’re envisioning shaking up cocktails in a posh lounge or serving up classics in a cozy neighborhood bar, the path to success starts here. This guide breaks down the essentials, such as training, certification, and insider tips, so you can turn your dream into reality and become part of New York’s iconic nightlife scene.
How Much Does a Bartender Make in NYC?
Bartenders in New York City make well above the national average. According to Glassdoor, NYC bartenders have a median yearly income of $82,169, including tips.
It helps that the minimum wage for tipped employees is well above the national requirement. As of 2024, NYC food service employees have a minimum wage of $10.65 an hour, while the federal minimum tipped wage is just $2.13 an hour. On the other hand, it’s worth keeping in mind that since NYC is a high-cost-of-living city, your money doesn’t go nearly as far as it would in the flyover states.
You should take all data on bartender pay with a grain of salt. As a tipped service job, it’s almost impossible to know the true average bartending salary. Tips are rarely reported accurately for official purposes, which can really skew the numbers – for many bartenders, their tip income will outstrip their base pay. Official statistics also calculate base pay by multiplying the hourly wage by 40, but bartending is rarely a 40-hour-a-week job. Finally, the type of bar you’re tending (as well as your skill level) will have an enormous impact on your potential tips.
What Are NYC’s Bartending Requirements?
In New York City, you must be at least 18 years old to serve alcohol. If you have a felony conviction on your record, you can’t bartend unless you obtain a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities.
Do You Need a Bartending License in New York City?
Technically, a bartending license isn’t a requirement in NYC (or New York State). A bartender license (sometimes called a bar card) is proof that you’ve completed a state-approved alcohol training program (sometimes called responsible beverage service). Some jurisdictions require it for all alcohol-serving employees, but New York City isn’t one of them.
On the other hand, many employers in NYC will require a bartending license. While the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) doesn’t have a universal requirement for responsible beverage service training, it does incentivize state-approved training with employers. If someone makes a mistake and breaks the law, employers are eligible for reduced penalties if the employee in question has an up-to-date NYC bartender license.
This provides a very strong hiring preference for candidates who hold a current certificate for New York’s Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP).
What Is New York ATAP Training?
The New York Alcohol Training Awareness Program (ATAP) is a state-level training program for anyone handling alcohol servers or sellers.
There are two types of ATAP training. On-premises courses are for bars, pubs, and other businesses that serve alcohol for consumption on-premises. Off-premises courses are for liquor stores, convenience stores, and other businesses that sell sealed alcohol for consumption off-premises. For bartending, you definitely want to choose the on-premises course.
Either way, ATAP training basically covers important alcohol-related laws, how to follow them, and the best practices for responsible beverage service. Courses focus heavily on preventing illegal alcohol sales, like serving intoxicated people or minors.
What Does New York ATAP Training Cover?
Exact training topics can vary depending on which provider you choose, but in general, when you take New York ATAP training, you’ll learn the following:
- Effects of alcohol on the body
- Seller’s legal responsibilities and obligations due to their role in public safety
- How alcohol is absorbed and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is calculated
- Effects of mixing alcohol with other substances
- Signs and symptoms of intoxication
- Procedures for checking IDs accurately, recognizing fake IDs, and catching second-party sales
- Strategies for refusing a sale with minimal conflict
How To Get a Bartending License in NYC
To earn your bartender’s license in NYC, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Purchase a TIPS New York ATAP (on-premises) course, available from New York-approved ATAP provider 360training.
- Study the material online, at your own pace. You should be able to complete the material in 2-4 hours.
- Pass the multiple-choice final exam with a score of 70% or above.
- Save a copy of your certificate of completion.
Your certificate of completion serves as proof that you’re ATAP-certified. You can print or email a copy to your employer.
What’s the Difference Between an On-Premise and Off-Premise Course?
The main difference between an on-premise and an off-premise alcohol course comes down to where the alcohol is being enjoyed and the responsibilities of the staff. An on-premise course is for people working in places where alcohol is served and consumed on-site. This includes places like bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and event spaces.
Off-premise courses, on the other hand, are for employees in places where alcohol is sold for people to take home. Examples of this would be liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience shops, and online alcohol retailers.
Both courses are about making sure alcohol is handled safely and within the law, but they focus on different parts of the industry. If you’re still interested in becoming a bartender, an on-premise course is the way to go.
How Long Does an NYC Bartender License Last?
New York ATAP certification expires 3 years after the issue date. You’ll need to repeat the course before the expiration date to avoid any work interruptions.
What Else Do You Need to Become a Bartender in NYC?
Holding a New York bartending license will make your resume attractive to prospective employers. But there are a few other things that might help you get the best possible job, including:
- Bartending school or other hands-on alcohol service training
- Customer service experience, especially in food or beverage service
- Expertise in alcoholic beverages (like mixology or understanding beer types)
- Food handler training if you want to work in a restaurant or pub
- Stories that demonstrate soft skills like:
- Conflict resolution and other interpersonal skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Work ethic
A pro tip for surviving your first week: the right shoes are more important than you think!
Earn Your NYC Bartender License Online
Online ATAP training makes it fast and convenient to earn a bartender’s license in New York City, especially from a trusted, New York-approved training provider like us.
We offer TIPS training that fulfills New York ATAP requirements, which you can bundle with food handler training if needed. TIPS is a popular choice with NYC employers due to its practical skills-based focus.
