As a talented bartender, you’ll want to show future employers your full range of capabilities as a mixologist, combined with your customer-centric approach. One way to send the right message and build a connection with an employer is by having a professional and persuasive cover letter.
Avoid being totally ignored at the bar while trying to get served. Elevate your job search with a sparkling bar work cover letter that captures immediate interest and lands you an interview.
What’s the recipe for a job-winning bartender cover letter? Blending the right mix of ingredients and presenting this with structure and flair.
Bartender full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Corbyn,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the bartender position at The Rusty Anchor Pub, as advertised on your website. With over three years of experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for crafting exceptional drinks, I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.
During my time as a bartender at The Old Duke in King Street, I developed a comprehensive knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as an understanding of local and international beers, wines, and spirits. I pride myself on providing friendly, efficient service and creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons.
Key highlights of my experience include:
- Consistently receiving positive feedback from customers and management
- Maintaining a clean and organised bar area while managing high-volume periods
- Implementing a new cocktail menu that increased beverage sales by 15%
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and enthusiasm to The Rusty Anchor Pub. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your establishment's success.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Eliza Jenkins
Sections of a bartender cover letter
Creating a cover letter for bartending is similar to mixing a cocktail, where each element plays a part in developing a high-quality end product. In the context of your cover letter, this means demonstrating why you’re the perfect person for the job (rather than mixing a Cuba Libre!).
- Cover letter header. Start with a clean and professional header, including your name, contact details, and main job title.
- Greeting. Build a connection by personalising your greeting. Address the bar manager by their name rather than using a generic ‘Dear Sir or Madam.’
- Introduction. Grab the reader's attention with a captivating opening to your bartender cover letter and share your enthusiasm about the job opening.
- Body. What skills and experience can you offer the employer? Highlight your core strengths as well as examples of relevant bar work performed and results achieved.
- Conclusion. Summarise what you would bring to the bartender role and reiterate your strong interest in the opportunity. Don’t forget a call to action.
- Signature. End with a professional goodbye, including your name.
Understanding the purpose of each section and following this formula will ensure you have a professionally structured, cohesive bartending cover letter.
Aim for a short and concise one-page cover letter that conveys your strong interest in the role, describes your positive impact in previous roles, and markets you as the perfect bartender for the job.
If you need some additional inspiration, view our library of amazing cover letters. Here are some related cover letters for bar staff:
If you need more general information and details covering each section, you can view our article on how to write a cover letter.
Once you’ve dealt with the initial pleasantries, it’s time to move on and serve up an engaging introduction that will attract some attention.
Introduction of a bartender cover letter
Stir up some interest by starting your cover letter for a bartending position with an intriguing introduction. This will encourage the bar manager to read on and learn more about you.
Focus on your key achievements in bartending and the results you can generate for the new employer. Whether this is your expert knowledge as a mixologist or your success in achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.
Dear Mr Corbyn,
As an experienced bartender and mixologist, I was excited to hear about the job opening at Reform Bar & Grill. Combining expert knowledge of 60+ cocktail recipes, with recent success boosting sales of signature drinks by 20%, I’m confident of my ability to deliver similar results for Reform.
Dear Sir or Madam
I would like to apply for the role of Bartender with Reform Bar & Grill. With three years of bartending experience and a strong work ethic, I feel ideally suited to the role.
Detailing specific details and tangible results in your introduction is the best way to showcase your bartending skills in action. For example, if you’ve acquired “expert knowledge of 60+ cocktail recipes,” you’re going to be a real asset to any bar. Compare this to a more generic, bland introduction and it’s clear who the bar manager will favour.
Ending your introduction with a commitment to deliver similar results for your potential new employer is also a great move. Bringing expert mixology knowledge or the ability to boost sales and customer satisfaction will be music to the hiring manager's ears.
Dear Mr. Corbyn,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the bartender position at The Rusty Anchor Pub, as advertised on your website. With over three years of experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for crafting exceptional drinks, I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.
Bartender cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, follow a clear template:
- Highlight your skills and experience
- Show you’re the perfect for for the bar team
- Wrap up with a strong conclusion
- End with a call to action that makes the hiring manager eager to contact you
First body paragraph
Start strong by highlighting your top-level bartending skills and experiences in this paragraph. Much like a great drinks menu, show some depth and variety.
Here’s how you can showcase these qualifications:
- Emphasise your customer-centric approach. Bring to life your experiences of building positive relationships with bar patrons and providing excellent service. Make sure to reference your outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Mixology and bartending skills. Specify the level of your bartending experience. Maybe you have extensive knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails as well as local and international beers, wines, and spirits. If it fits, let the hiring manager know.
- Flexibility and multitasking. Recall times when you were managing high-volume periods in a bar or how you were flexible in covering your colleagues' shifts. This will demonstrate your strong organisation skills and team-focused approach.
- Supervisory roles. Mention any experience overseeing bar operations as well as managing and mentoring staff teams.
Align document styles
Your CV and cover letter for a bartender job should be a ‘matching set,’ using the same design, font and formatting styles. The headers should be similar if not identical, so it’s clear that these two documents come from the same applicant. Any mismatch can suggest a lack of attention to detail and won’t project your professionalism to an employer.
Second body paragraph
Tailoring your cover letter to the goals and objectives of your prospective employer can quickly show a recruiter that you’re enthusiastic about the role and will be a good fit for the team.
Start with some background research on the employer, so you can identify how your values and experiences align. You can then tailor your cover letter accordingly.
In the example of Brewdog Waterloo, some key points that can be taken from their mission statement and values include:
- Making other people as passionate about great craft beer as we are
- Evangelical about our craft and committed to spreading the passion for good beer
- Certified Carbon Negative Company who Invest heavily in reducing emissions
- Voted as The Sunday Times, Best Places to Work 2023
Including aspects of the mission statement in your cover letter will show you’ve done your homework. Perhaps you’re passionate about craft beer or impressed by an award-winning employer who values their employees. If so, let them know via your cover letter.
During my time as a bartender at The Old Duke in King Street, I developed a comprehensive knowledge of classic and contemporary cocktails, as well as an understanding of local and international beers, wines, and spirits. I pride myself on providing friendly, efficient service and creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons.
Key highlights of my experience include:
- Consistently receiving positive feedback from customers and management
- Maintaining a clean and organised bar area while managing high-volume periods
- Implementing a new cocktail menu that increased beverage sales by 15%
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and enthusiasm to The Rusty Anchor Pub. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your establishment's success.
Call to action & conclusion
In the closing paragraph, it’s time to sum up with a compelling end to your cover letter. This should reinforce your key points and your enthusiasm for the bartending role.
Make sure to thank the employer for their consideration in reviewing your application. This shows you respect their time and reaffirms your interest in the role.
Include an engaging call to action to encourage the bar manager to take your application to the next stage in the recruitment process.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Eliza Jenkins
Sign off with a professional closing, such as ‘Sincerely.’ Remember to proofread your letter and ensure that it is error-free and polished.
Key takeaways
A well-crafted cover letter for bartending showcases your top-level skills, relevant experience, and passion for your craft.
Tailor your cover letter to the specific bartending role. Review the job description and research the employer and team. This will allow you to highlight your strengths and connect with the employer via a personalised approach.
Try our cover letter builder to commit your professional bartending career story to paper and boost your job interview prospects!
