The Evolution of the Bartending Industry

Now & Then

The history of bartending is a long and varied one – from the days of Jerry Thomas (who was responsible for the 19th Century’s Bon-Vivant’s Companion, a must-have for any aspiring bartender), to Harry Craddock (who complied the Savoy Cocktail Book, an essential compendium of drinks from the 1930’s and still a staple in many of today’s bars). 

The early bartenders - responsible for many of today’s classics – typically had far fewer products and ingredients compared to the range we can get our hands on today, with slow shipping speeds limiting the availability of imported goods. 

(Re)Birth of the Bartender

From experience working in this industry over the last decade, the role of a bartender has become a much more respected career choice and matured into a position of status. 

When I first started out, everyone would ask me, “Sure you bartend but what are you going to do after that? What’s your plan?”. They couldn’t comprehend the idea of fully committing to the hospitality industry. At the time, it was a stopgap for students and people undecided. 

Many legends have helped establish bartending as the reputable craft that it is and have encouraged and given way to younger professionals who in turn are setting future generations up for success. Today, there is then a new wave of trends, skills and inspiration that we can look forward to. 

Beyond the Bartender

As the industry grows, it’s not just the role of bartenders that is evolving. Bar managers now have a greater responsibility to ensure their venue is up to date with current trends, visible on social media and attracting all the right attention. 

Equally so, the role of servers has grown. There is a higher expectation placed upon a server to know as much as the bartender when it comes to cocktail and spirit knowledge. Today, many venues have members of their bar team do shifts on the floor to ensure a great customer experience. They also have monthly tests on specific spirit categories, recipe knowledge and historical facts. 

Personal reading, researching, or listening to a podcast every now and then will go a long way. There is never a point where you know enough about the many facets of the hospitality industry, whether it's whisky knowledge or service standards, we can all always strive to be better.