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Remote Jobs > Working Overseas > How to Bartend Around the World

By Alex Dryjowicz
via our Upwork Job Offering

Let's be honest, partying is one of the most expensive parts of traveling. But imagine if, instead, you could bartend your way around the world! Of course, you won't get rich as a traveling bartender, but you can always find work. Moreover, as a traveling bartender, you can not only extend your travels indefinitely - but have the time of your life.

Working as a bartender is essentially the same across the world. While brands and local tastes may vary, a bartender skilled in making cocktails and pouring draft beer is needed everywhere. Therefore, there are many opportunities for travel bartenders.

So if you enjoy bringing the party everywhere you go, travel bartending might be the lifestyle for you!

Other ways to travel the world are by teaching English abroad, becoming a scuba diving instructor, or working online as a freelancer!

Work for Stay Bartending

The most popular option for traveling bartenders is to work for accommodation and drink discounts. Even though these positions rarely pay due to laws for legal employment, they allow you to travel for longer and spend less money. In addition, these jobs are loads of fun, and you are sure to make friends with other backpackers and locals alike.

Hostel jobs for bartenders can be easily found by asking around at nearby hostels or searching online. Websites such as Workaway and Worldpackers connect travelers to hostels offering various work for stay opportunities, including bartending. 

Arrangements will vary but work for stay positions are typically 15-25 hours per week for a bed in a hostel dorm. Often included are several free drinks per shift, and some places even allow volunteers to accept tips. Being on the other side of the bar can save you a lot of money, depending on your typical party habits.

Since backpacker bars and hostels only ask for a short commitment, they are more willing to hire beginner bartenders with little to no experience. This can be a great way to get into bartending and later land a full-time bartending gig. There may even be opportunities for bartending work exchange to transition to a job with a work permit under the right circumstances!

Seasonal jobs for Bartenders

There are many seasonal vacation spots for bartenders to work, such as ski resorts, party boats, and summer beach destinations. While many people show up at popular seasonal locations and hand out resumes, sites like Coolworks have made it easy to find fun jobs in extraordinary places. 

Seasonal bartending jobs come with a ton of benefits and relatively high wages. In addition, a variety of resorts offer employee housing and passes for their workers. At ski resorts, bartending jobs are highly coveted because they allow you to work in the evening while skiing for free during the day.

Often local businesses near resorts also hire seasonal bartending staff. While you typically must arrange your own housing for these positions, they can come with higher pay and better hours. 

These travel bartending jobs are also a great way to network with other nomadic seasonal workers. It's common for seasonal bartenders to work the winter in one location and the summer in another. This way, you can continue travel and bartend as long as you want!

A Day in the Life: Seasonal Bartending at a Ski Resort

During my season at a ski resort in Colorado, I lived in staff accommodation with some incredible people. My roommate was from New Zealand, and many of my coworkers were international.  

By day we would ski or snowboard to our heart's content on our free ski passes. By night we worked hard slinging drinks as seasonal bar staff. It's a fantastic experience I would recommend to any travel bartender.

Bartending on a Cruise Ship

If you have two years of bartending experience on land, you may qualify for a job as a cruise ship bartender. Jobs on cruise ships will typically take you out to sea for months at a time, exploring beautiful places with awesome coworkers from around the world. 

It's easy to save lots of money as a cruise ship bartender since you won't have many expenses. Of the job opportunities for a traveling bartender, this is probably the most lucrative. You can search for openings for cruise ship bartenders on All Cruise Jobs.

Bartending on a Working Holiday Visa

Bartending is a popular job for people on working holiday visas. Qualifications for obtaining a working holiday visa vary by nationality, but typically only travelers under 30 qualify. Popular destinations for bartenders on a working holiday include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland.

Suppose you have service industry experience, good English skills, and a valid working holiday visa. In that case, you can be hired as a bartender. Working behind the bar in a foreign country is a ton of fun and a great way to learn about local culture. 

Often you will have to take a class on safe alcohol service, such as RSA in Australia. Although these bartending certifications are only valid regionally, they are easy to get once you start your job search.

A Day in the Life: Bartending on an Australian Working Holiday

Personally, my favorite bartending job ever was at a bar in Australia. Half of the staff were Australian, while the rest of us were from places such as the USA, South Africa, England, Germany, and Indonesia. Here we made lifelong friends and were fully integrated into Australian bar culture. 

Some of my coworkers at this bar even got sponsored for long-term visas. So, through bartending, it is possible to start a whole new life in some countries!

Digital Nomad Bartending Jobs

Bartending is also an excellent way for digital nomads to make some extra money. Working at a bar at night can supplement your income while freeing you to work on your computer during the day. 

Since digital nomad life can be isolating, working a bar job can help you make local friends, have fun, and save money all at the same time.

There is Always Bartending

The best thing about travel bartending is that anyone can do it with hard work and the right attitude. You are sure to make lifelong friends and be able to sustain your travels on a tight budget. So if you're looking for a fun job you can do anywhere, consider bartending!

This article was written by Alex Dryjowicz (check out her profile on Upwork).

FAQ’s

How do you get a work visa or permit to bartend in different countries?

The answer to this question depends on the country you want to work in, your nationality, and the duration of your stay. Some countries have working holiday visa programs that allow young travelers to work legally for a limited time, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and some European countries¹. Other countries may require you to have a sponsor, a contract, or a specific skill to obtain a work visa, such as the United States, Japan, or Singapore². Some countries may not have strict regulations or enforcement on work visas, especially in developing regions or tourist destinations, such as Thailand, Mexico, or Peru³. However, working without a proper visa can be risky and illegal, so you should always do your research and follow the local laws before applying for a bartending job.

What are the best resources or websites to find bartending jobs around the world?

There are many online platforms and websites that can help you find bartending jobs around the world. Some of them are:

- Worldpackers: This is a community of travelers and hosts that offer work exchange opportunities in various fields, including bartending. You can browse through hundreds of bartending jobs in different countries and apply for the ones that suit you. You will usually get free accommodation and meals in exchange for your work, and sometimes other benefits as well⁴.

- EBS MatchStaff: This is a website that connects graduates of the European Bartender School with employers around the world. You can create your profile, upload your resume and certificates, and browse through bartending jobs in bars, hotels, clubs, and restaurants. You can also earn badges for completing EBS courses and interact with the bartending community⁵.

- Backpacker Job Board: This is a website that lists various jobs for backpackers and travelers in different countries, especially Australia and New Zealand. You can find bartending jobs in hostels, pubs, cafes, and resorts, and apply directly to the employers. You can also filter the jobs by location, type, and salary.

What are some of the challenges or risks of bartending in foreign cultures or environments?

Bartending in foreign cultures or environments can be a rewarding and exciting experience, but it can also pose some challenges or risks. Some of them are:

- Language barrier: You may have to communicate with customers and coworkers in a different language than your native one, which can be difficult or frustrating at times. You may also have to learn the names and recipes of local drinks, which can vary from country to country. You should try to learn some basic phrases and words in the local language, and use gestures or pictures to help you communicate.

- Cultural differences: You may encounter different customs, norms, and expectations in different cultures, which can affect your work and interactions. For example, tipping, drinking age, alcohol laws, dress code, and customer service may vary from country to country. You should try to respect and adapt to the local culture, and avoid offending or insulting anyone with your words or actions.

- Safety and health issues: You may face some safety and health risks while bartending in foreign countries, such as theft, violence, harassment, accidents, or illnesses. You should always be aware of your surroundings, follow the safety rules and regulations, and protect yourself and your belongings. You should also take care of your physical and mental health, and seek medical attention if needed.

(1) How to Bartend Around the World - A Nomadic Lifestyle. https://eatwanderexplore.com/blog/how-to-bartend-around-the-world.

(2) How to become a traveling bartender with Worldpackers. https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/how-to-become-a-traveling-bartender-with-worldpackers.

(3) Find bartending jobs abroad and in your home country - EBS MatchStaff. https://www.ebsmatchstaff.com/find-bartending-jobs/.

(4) How to Find a Bartending Job Overseas - Around the World in 80 Jobs. https://www.aroundtheworldin80jobs.com/how-get-a-bartending-job-overseas/.

(5) Bartending 101: Essential Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Beginners. https://caskable.com/the-basics/bartending-101/.

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