A cocktail server takes drink orders and delivers them to customers in restaurants, bars, and casinos. They earn income through tips and need to be able to work quickly without spilling drinks. Male servers are becoming more common, but female servers are still more prevalent.
A cocktail server is responsible for taking drink orders and delivering them to tables of guests in a dining establishment or other public place that serves alcohol. Some establishments require the waiter to clean the tables after the guests leave, preparing the table for the new guests that are arriving. In casinos – particularly in Las Vegas – a waiter will be on his feet for several hours, taking drink orders and serving those drinks to customers. Servers are traditionally female, although there are male servers. The cocktail server earns income primarily through tips, although an hourly base wage is also paid.
When taking a drink order, the cocktail server often needs to accurately record many orders at once and then relay that order to a bartender. She will be responsible for garnishing drinks that require such action and transporting them to customers. In crowded restaurants and bars this can be extremely difficult as a tray full of drinks can be heavy and easy to spill. Casinos often hire a cocktail server only if they have a significant amount of experience, ensuring they are getting a server that can work quickly without spilling drinks on extremely expensive machines and gaming tables.
Male servers in the past would normally not leave the bar area but would act as waiters only. In recent years, restaurants have started to hire more male servers, and it’s not uncommon to see a man acting as a waiter in bars and restaurants. Female servers are still more common, and in casinos they are often required to wear themed clothing that matches the casino’s aesthetic. Some restaurants also have this requirement, although it’s much less common, and servers usually wear a simple uniform.
Cocktail servers often earn a significant amount of money in tips, depending on the establishment’s popularity and the server’s performance. A steady income is not guaranteed, however, as some nights can be busier than others. A server can expect to spend several hours on their feet at a time and will need to move quickly, clear tables, help stock the bar, and monitor customers’ alcohol consumption. A server is usually the first person to notice if a customer has been overserved, and the server will need to notify a manager or bartender to stop the customer from being overserved that night.
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