Bartenders don’t just follow a recipe; they understand how the bases, bitters, liqueurs and syrups mingle and can create their own cocktails.

Julie Reiner, beverage director and co-owner of the Clover Club in Brooklyn, New York, and founder of the consulting firm Mixtress Consulting, remembers a time when being a bartender was considered a stepping-stone career. "I was behind the bar, and people would ask me, ’So what do you want to do eventually?’" she says. "Now, we’ve come to a place where bartending is respected and a chosen profession." In recent years, quality bars and learned bartenders have been swept into the cachet of our foodie culture, and those in the know think about more than just liquor when selecting a new – or frequenting a favorite – dive bar, cocktail lounge, wine bar or beer pub. Just like the best dining hot spots are known for the chefs in the kitchen, the best bars earn their street cred by the barkeeps pouring the spirits.

"It’s certainly a very fun job and a social job, which is why I ended up in it," Reiner says. "I was cocktail waitressing when I was 18 years old, and I was always intrigued by what was happening behind the bar. Controlling the flow of alcohol in the room earns you respect from the crowd." Now, Reiner fronts Clover Club, a Victorian-style venue in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, and is recognized as one of the top drink makers in the country. Listen to her speak, and it’s evident there’s artistry behind the profession.

Competition for positions will be strongest in popular fine-dining establishments, and according to Reiner, it’s fiercest in large cities like New York.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.3% employment growth for bartenders between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 21,300 jobs should open up.

"There wasn’t a lot of training opportunities [when I started] the way there is now," Reiner says. She recommends aspiring bartenders take a class offered by a company known as the Beverage Alcohol Resource. "That’s an amazing class that’s taught by the industry’s most talented people. You’ll learn about spirits and cocktails and their history – you’ll pretty much learn it all," she says.

There’s also BarSmarts, an online bartender education and certification program. "Whenever I start training a new bartender, I have them do BarSmarts," Reiner says. "I ask them to do videos and demos there, because it gives you a basic background."

Reiner also stresses the importance of supplementing courses with practical learning. "Immerse yourself in all things liquid," she advises. "There are different types of bartenders, so if you want to mix cocktails, get a job in a cocktail bar. If you want to work in a wine bar, learn everything you can about wine."