A Freelance Gig to Consider: Bartender

 

According to Entrepreneur.com, making $300 a day is possible as a freelance bartender.  Combine that with minimal training and low start-up costs, anyone willing to market themselves can earn a full-time salary working a few days out of the week.  If you live in an area with a lot going on in terms of weddings, after-hours events, or pop-ups where the crowd can enjoy a nice, cool spirit responsibly, finding a niche shouldn't be hard.

Separating Yourself from the Crowd

You've most likely seen the ads for bartender training - learn a lot in a matter of hours for low or no tuition.  These are great for beginners, as you can gauge whether you like dealing with patrons, loud music, or the safety and security issues that bartenders are often responsible for. Most people enjoy the interaction but often things can get stagnant, as basic training is just that...the fundamentals.

Moving into mixologist territory can be done in a few ways.  Yes, you can teach yourself or take a class like the one mentioned in the non-sponsored video above.  There are also online workshops that offer recognizable certifications that can really take you places careerwise.

Creating a Niche They Won't Forget

Yes, this is a fish in a tumbler glass...

In the hospitality industry, creating an experience is what creates a buzz for your business.  This is the difference between pouring a couple of cold ones every hour at the local watering hole and elevating yourself to celebrity status.  While both have their plus and minuses, creating something that's IG-worthy can lead to many opportunities in the way of sponsorships, professional alliances, and more!

You can also come up with your own creations or, if seafood doesn't turn you on, combine the latest shake sensation with alcohol.  Not only are they fun to look at but people will be happy to pay upwards of $25 per boozy glass.  All they want is to say they had the experience of drinking an adult shake that looks like an explosion at the sweet shop.

Another idea would be to go back into time with cocktails that were popular before the 1990s.  There are many vintage cocktail recipe books sold by indie merchants for a nice penny but affordable reprints can be found on Amazon.  My recommendation would be to go back to the 1960s or 70s since this was a time when people threw dinner parties and liked to show off their home cocktail bar.

So, you've got some ideas and maybe you can start small by reaching out to small caterers in your area or hosting a cash bar at an event.  While the average start-up cost is around $2K, getting a few spirits (maybe a couple of premium brands for good measure) and supplies for a little more than cost should run you less than $500.  Be open to feedback and always be on the lookout to elevate your hospitality game.  Cheers!