There are a lot of facets to running a successful bar or nightclub. In no particular order, your club’s location, the design and layout of your venue, and the quality of your drinks each play a major role in drumming up repeat business. However, one of the most overlooked pieces to the recipe is your server and bartender staff. Attracting the best talent to your nightclub is incredibly important. In general, they will be the face of your operation. You need competent and friendly staff to greet and serve your customers. Otherwise, having everything else in perfect order won’t do you the least bit of good.
From the customer perspective, the reason they are going out to a nightclub in the first place is to escape the rigors of daily life and unwind. This means bottle service complete with bottle sparklers. Most of your customers are willing to pay a premium for this type of experience. However, when they pay that fee they expect to have high quality service from a friendly staff. Unfortunately, the nightlife industry is riddled with angry and inexperienced staff members all over the place. So, you need to take the necessary steps to make sure you’re hiring the best crew possible. Here are some key things to consider when you’re doing your hiring to help you with attracting the best talent to your nightclub that you possibly can.
Actually Call Their References
One of the biggest mistakes that most business owners commit is taking an applicant’s credentials at their word. It really isn’t hard to make up a laundry list of prior experience to make yourself look good on paper; and you’d be surprised at how often people are actually doing this to attempt to get a job. Typically, that job is way above their experience level. To combat this, you need to require a few references from qualified people on each applicant’s resume. Also, you need to actually follow up with those references via a phone call. Make sure those people are real references and not just some of the applicant’s friends from high school or college. Often time, people are trying to make them look more experienced than they actually are.
Use a Probationary Period
If you want to run a top-tier nightclub, then chances are you are going to be setting your servers and bartenders up for success in the form of higher tips. This is both through volume and actual check amount since customers at high class nightclubs typically have a larger bill and tip at a higher percentage than those at ordinary establishments. By holding your staff to a 30 day probationary period, you can encourage them to do the highest quality of work possible and learn good habits. As a reward, they will be receiving a bucket of cash; in the form of tips and that alone can be enough to keep them performing at the highest level possible.
Create a Desirable Workplace
Lastly, you can’t get the top talent in any city without creating a desirable workplace that is fun, friendly, and encourages teamwork. You need a notable bartender is soured on your nightclub. Then, they will tell other top bartenders in the area and those with real skill or talent will apply for a position. You don’t want to make work a free-for-all where people break the rules and steal from the till. However, attracting the best talent to your nightclub is best achieved by making work a place where your employees are happy to be.
Get Creative
The easiest way to attract the the best talent to your nightclub is to offer the best situation. For instance, great bartenders only go where they have a good chance at making big money. It’s okay to use bottle sparklers indoors; so make sure you are putting the customer first. By creating an amazing atmosphere, you ensure that your bartenders are happy and willing to stay for the long haul.
No matter how big or small your club is, it’s important to have talented staff. First off, you can trust them. Additionally, you can have faith that they’ll get the job done. By putting the right pieces in place, you can rest assured that you have the best crew on the block.
