How to become a bartender in Montreal

Montréal is an amazing place to kick off a bartending career. The city’s nightlife is buzzing, with everything from sleek, upscale cocktail bars to cozy, laid-back neighborhood spots. If you love crafting fancy cocktails or prefer pouring a perfect pint, you’ll find your spot here. To help you get started, we’ve put together a guide packed with tips and useful info to make your bartending journey a little easier. Montréal’s got the vibes, the opportunities, and the energy—now it’s your turn to make the most of it!

I. Age Requirements: the legal foundation

In Québec, the minimum legal age to serve alcohol is 18, a prerequisite for working as a bartender in the province. This requirement is non-negotiable and represents the first step for anyone looking to enter the field.

II. Responsible alcohol service certification

While not legally mandatory, obtaining a responsible alcohol service certification, such as the Service in Action program offered by Éduc’alcool and the Institut du tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), is highly recommended.

This training provides essential knowledge of provincial alcohol laws and responsible client management. Not only does it enhance your preparedness, but it also significantly improves your chances of being hired, as many establishments see it as a valuable asset or preferred qualification.

III. Training and education: investing in skills

A professional bartender must master the art of mixology, understand industry standards, and deliver customer service with finesse. Enrolling in specialized training courses is an excellent way to acquire these skills.

Among the available options, DrinksWorld offers comprehensive online bartending courses with certification covering topics like cocktail preparation, customer service, and industry regulations. This training will not only bolster your professional profile but also help you approach the job with greater confidence.

IV. Practical Experience: The Value of On-the-Job Learning

While theoretical knowledge is crucial, hands-on experience truly sets you apart. Seeking internships or entry-level positions is a great way to apply what you’ve learned. For instance, starting as a barback – assisting bartenders – can help you get accustomed to the pace and dynamics of the industry.

Working in the field allows you to hone essential skills like time management, quick drink preparation, and customer interaction, making you a well-rounded professional.

V. Language Skills: A Competitive Edge

Montréal is a bilingual city, and fluency in both French and English is often preferred by employers. Effective communication with a diverse clientele makes you a more attractive candidate, particularly in high-end establishments where customer experience is paramount.

Montréal’s Premier Bar Scene

The city boasts some of Canada’s finest cocktail bars, renowned destinations for those aspiring to dive into the world of mixology. Notable among them is the Atwater Cocktail Club, ranked fourth in the prestigious list of the country’s best bars. Known for its excellence and innovation, it provides a unique experience for patrons and a stimulating environment for industry professionals.

Equally esteemed is the Cloakroom Bar, which holds third place in the same ranking. Its exclusive atmosphere and meticulous attention to detail make it a must-visit for cocktail aficionados.

Rounding out this elite selection is the Coldroom, placed twelfth nationally. With its intimate and creative vibe, it offers bartenders the perfect stage to showcase their talents, consistently surprising patrons with imaginative offerings.

These establishments not only provide unforgettable experiences for their clientele but also serve as ideal platforms for industry professionals, offering job opportunities in highly skilled and innovative settings.

Kate Boushel: A model in Mixology

For inspiration in the world of mixology, look no further than Kate Boushel, Director of Beverage and Training at the Barocco Group in Montréal. A pivotal figure in the city’s cocktail scene, Boushel has achieved remarkable milestones, including managing the Atwater Cocktail Club, which ranked 32nd in the prestigious 50 Best Bars in North America list in 2023.

In addition to this achievement, Boushel received the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award, a peer-selected accolade celebrating industry leaders. Her career exemplifies how passion, expertise, and dedication can lead to extraordinary accomplishments, even in a demanding environment like Montréal.

A thriving Job Market

Montréal’s job market for bartenders and restaurant professionals is currently booming. Platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor report numerous opportunities: 57 bartending positions on Indeed and 61 on Glassdoor. Across the broader restaurant industry, over 1,000 openings are listed on Indeed, with an additional 498 on Glassdoor. These figures highlight growing demand, making this an opportune time to join the field.

Becoming a bartender in Montréal is not just a job but an opportunity to be part of a vibrant, creative community. By meeting legal requirements, obtaining proper training, gaining practical experience, and mastering language skills, you can position yourself as a competitive candidate in a dynamic job market.

And if you aspire to work at top-tier establishments like the Atwater Cocktail Club or Cloakroom Bar, your dedication and effort could lead to remarkable success in this fascinating career.