What qualities do you think make up a good bartender? Are mechanical skills (speed and accuracy) as important/more important than people skills? Favorite bartenders and why?

favorite bartenders: those that know to mix my Sidecar without having to look into the Boston Bartenders guide first.

Favorite Bartender: The one who has your favorite drink waiting for you before you even get to the bar. He's seen you walk in and it's waiting at your regular seat. Just call me Norm.

Or, even better, when the guy at the beer store special orders some beers that you had on a trip abroad, knows you by name and also has your cellular number memorized.

Could it be a sign? Is Betty Ford waiting for me?

A good bartender knows how to take good care of you from the moment you walk in until the time you leave. And for that you tip very well.

I want my drink and I want it now and I should not have to ask for another, they should ask me. Period.


If they are good socially (do I want to talk or do I want to be left alone or do they have good information) that is a plus.