Teach Your Team to Serve Drinks the Right Way
Your staff is the face of your restaurant, and their skills are essential to providing the best service to your customers. Whether they’re waiting tables, greeting guests, or serving drinks, there are a few things you can teach your team to help your customers better. Bar staff training ensures your team delivers exceptional service and enhances the overall dining experience for patrons.
For example, it’s important to train your bartenders to up-sell premium liquor products. In addition, they can improve your venue’s bottom line by teaching them to suggest a high-quality spirit with each drink they serve.
Upgrade your skills
A well-trained team can do wonders for your bottom line. Aside from providing a great work-life balance, you can also enroll in Colorado alcohol seller-server certification to create a safer environment and make the experience enjoyable for your customers. This online alcohol seller/server training also includes an easy-to-use drinking counting technique that enables you to check your customer, counts their drinks, and keep them under the BAC limit to drive safely. In addition, unlike many other alcohol safety training programs, TIPS specializes in people skills in its alcohol seller/server program. This means that the course helps you develop your awareness of when different types of people are intoxicated, detect a fake ID, and intervene in situations that might be unsafe for your guests.
Whether your patrons are dining in or grabbing a quick bite to eat at your bar, they deserve the best service possible. The best way to do it is by arming your team with several customer service tips and tricks to make them stand out. The good news is your team will be on the same page as their customers in no time.
When to take the drink order
When your restaurant offers a drinks menu, it’s important to take the order quickly. This ensures that your customers can enjoy their beverages and leave the bar without waiting too long for their next drink.
You can use an order pad or handheld device to capture the order and details. Always be well-groomed and tidy, and have the right materials ready to ensure that you can take orders professionally.
A bar transaction takes about 4.3 minutes, so you should be prepared to serve as many drinks as possible in that time frame. However, if you’re serving cocktails or other complicated drinks, that can increase your overall waiting time.
Garnishes on drinks
Garnishes are a way to add visual interest and flavor to a drink. Generally, fruit-based garnishes are a great way to get that subtle fresh fruit flavor and aroma into your cocktail.
For example, a garnish of Maraschino cherry or brandied cherry can give a drink that extra sweet flavor and balance. Or, a pineapple frond or mint leaf can be a good visual accent to a cocktail without overpowering the drink’s overall flavor profile.
In some cases, however, eating a garnish is not a good idea. For example, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow says that you should never eat citrus peel twists. She argues that they’ve been sitting around for a long time and maybe dirty or touched by someone else.
Serve drinks in the correct glass
To ensure your team is serving drinks correctly, teach them how to use a jigger for spirit measurements and when to serve drinks on the rocks or up. This will ensure accuracy and consistency and reduce waste. It also helps create a more professional image for your team.
The right glassware can make or break a drink experience. The proper glassware can distinguish between an average and an exceptional experience, from high-end libations to budget-friendly taproom beverages. It can also be the reason your customers return.
From the most appropriate glass to the most elegant way to serve a cocktail, it’s a matter of educating yourself and your team on what makes your establishment unique. You’ll be rewarded with happier patrons, happy staff, and more business. The best part? All your intrepid guests will be talking about you long after they leave. You may even be lucky enough to get a mention on your favorite news site. Always be prepared next time your bourbon or beer-thirsty patrons hit the town.
Conclusion
Drinks are a huge part of any restaurant, so make sure your team knows how to serve them properly. Customers are more likely to return if they enjoy their drinks, so getting it right can mean the difference between average and great service. Whether you’re running your own small or large enterprise, the above-mentioned top tips are a surefire way to keep your business thriving.
