5 Ways To Motivate Your Bar Staff

The restaurant industry has gotten a lot of attention in recent years for its staffing problems due to the relentless grinding nature of the work. Bars can be even worse, given the legal headaches and the fact that customers might have lowered inhibitions and compromised judgment.

As a result, looking for ways to motivate bar staff can feel as constant and unending a task as serving drinks. Below, we’ll lay out five practical tips for happy and productive bartenders, as well as the rest of your team.

Tip #1: Show Recognition

In a quest to keep bar staff engaged, “thank you” goes a long way. People feel better and go further when their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated.

But it can’t just be lip service. People recognize when you’re being genuine and when you’re not. You need to pay genuine compliments in order to increase bar staff morale.  These gestures don’t have to be big or elaborate. A simple but specific comment can do wonders when it sounds heartfelt.

Most people find it easiest to recognize and show gratitude for a job performance that’s above and beyond, and that’s a great place to start. In fact, if you’re not already recognizing the above and beyond, you’re probably damaging your staff’s motivation and morale.

The next step is noticing and appreciating things that are being done right. It’s easy to look at performing as expected as just “doing the job” or “not screwing up,” but take a minute to appreciate all those failed hires who couldn’t meet the bar. With that in mind, isn’t it worth appreciating those who perform solidly and consistently? These attaboys or attagirls can also serve as reminders to other staff members that this is an example to follow.

Perhaps the most important people to encourage are those who are struggling, though this may seem counterintuitive. Most bars have one staff member who’s still making rookie mistakes, but being the lowest performer can be incredibly dispiriting. These employees will never want to learn how to be a successful bar employee if you don’t recognize their individual progress. Have they mastered something they used to have trouble with? Take a moment to tell them you see their hard work.

Tip #2: Be Their Stability

Sometimes, the question is less “How do you motivate bar staff?” and more “How do you avoid de-motivating them?”

The bar scene can be a hectic place to work, and as a result, it often draws staff who live hectic lives. A great way to keep staff morale high is to be their anchor in the storm.

This means:

• Setting clear expectations and consistently following through.
• Explaining any deviations or changes in policy.
• Holding yourself to a high standard of responsibility.
• Keeping an even temper and staying cool in a crisis.
• Providing fairly distributed and predictable shifts.
• Helping staff meet their income goals when possible.

Few people look forward to shifts when their workplace is chaotic, and their boss is unpredictable. By imposing structure and stability through excellent management, you can control some of the chaos and make work the most stress-free part of your staff’s day.

Tip #3: Give Them a Voice

Giving employees a sense of ownership and participation in the business is one of the best ways to keep bar staff engaged.

It may sound easier to have service workers who do exactly as they’re told, but people feel more invested in doing a good job when they feel like they have a stake in the enterprise.

Encourage staff to speak up about any problems or areas for improvement. Offer bartenders the opportunity to expand the menu by getting creative with their mixology skills. Ask if there are any events or promotions employees think will appeal to your client base – after all, they’re the ones who know your customers best. Encourage them to keep up with industry trends and make suggestions.

As with compliments, “speak up” isn’t something you can just say. Employees are very sensitive to any behavior perceived as shutting down their attempts at providing input. Create an official process for suggestions to be submitted and discussed. If a comment is offered at an inopportune time, put effort into redirecting the employee to discuss it again at a better time, and then remember to follow up on the conversation.

Tip #4: Provide a Break Space

It takes a lot of energy to elevate the customer experience, so providing a relatively quiet and private break space is not just a way to increase bar staff morale but a way to ensure high-quality customer service throughout a long shift.

Space is always at a premium in bar space, so you’ll need to do the best with what you have. Whether you’re repurposing a rarely-used manager’s office, giving a private event room a purpose when it’s not reserved, or making a little oasis in the alley (away from the trash), carve out a space where employees can sit in a comfortable seat, enjoy some relative quiet, and refresh themselves for the hours ahead.

Naturally, you also have to give people the time to make use of the break space in order for it to be successful. Encourage everyone to take a breather now and then, even if they don’t feel the need.

Tip #5: Throw Staff Celebrations

Because of its reputation as a party industry, there are a lot of reasons bartenders shouldn’t drink on the job, so they need a space to cut loose together.

Scheduling a free event twice a year can be an excellent job perk when you choose something your staff will actually enjoy. Whether that’s a holiday party or a night of axe-throwing, it’ll be time for everyone to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Pick your staff’s brain for ideas for the next event so that it’s something they can be excited about.

Although big splashy events are always the “morale-booster” that comes to mind, smaller celebrations and gestures can be even more effective to motivate your bar staff. Take 15 minutes before or after a shift to celebrate when staff members experience milestones and successes, whether it’s a birthday, promotion, anniversary, or important personal event.

The reason this tradition can have such an impact is that you make your staff feel seen and appreciated as more than just a cog in the machine. By celebrating their personal victories, they’ll feel valued on a personal level.

And a Bonus: Make Compliance Training Painless

Of course, not everything about bar work is fun and games. For example, your entire staff needs training in how to avoid the legal consequences of overserving or making an illegal sale.

The best way to keep morale high during less-than-exciting but necessary tasks is to make them as painless as possible. TIPS Passports provide your entire staff access to practical, skills-based training in responsible alcohol service. They’ll appreciate the utility of a curriculum that sets industry standards, and they’ll love that the when and where of their training is entirely within their control as an online, mobile-friendly course.

Enroll today!