[QC2Vegas]

My girlfriend and I are moving to Las Vegas in October. We are both bartenders in Charlotte, NC and we are ready to get paid our worth. I would love any tips, ideas, and help that anyone could offer us over the next few months, as I want to do this move right!
First, living situations. From what I understand from reading some of this forum, we want to look for an apartment or condo in NW or SW Vegas. Correct?
Second, the crime convo. I understand its bad...but is that really surprising? I mean, its a huge city! Its an even bigger tourist attraction! So crime is just a given to me I guess. Besides, in Charlotte we're just about numb to murders, etc. Sadly, its now more of a surprise to go one day with out a gang killing, armed robbery, police chase, drunk driver kills someone....I mean its just life nowadays, sadly. So we aren't worried about that...especially since my girlfriend's cat is an insane guardcat.
Third, the job front. I understand that in order to bartend, you must have numerous work cards. (Sherrifs Card, Health Card, etc..) Does anyone know how long it takes to get these things? Where do we get them? I also understand that we would have to be "apprentice" bartenders for a while first. Or maybe even barbacks. Any idea how long we would have to do this? And can anyone tell me about how much bartenders make an hour? Any help that anyone could give me would be much appreciated, and I'll buy you a drink when we get out there!!
I'm sure I'll think up more questions later, but I'm too tired to be intelligent right now! Thanks again for any help you can give me!

[Buzz123]

The info below and on these sites may be a little outdated as to cost but basically I think it is correct.
(Note: I'm including a link to the site the info came from. On the site the info about Sheriff's cards is way out of date so go to the next link for that.)Vegas Work Cards - Las Vegas Jobs

Here is a link to info about the Sheriff's card. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (http://www.lvmpd.com/permits/workcards.html - broken link)

Note that you will need to bring your Social Security card and a Driver License or state issued ID. Some employers may wish to see a Nevada DL or ID, and it's best to have them anyway to show that you are a resident and intend to stay in Nevada. If you find that you are running out of money, once you are offered a job you should be able to get a letter of intent to hire from the Nevada JobConnect office Claimant Employment Program (CEP) and take it to the employer to fill out. To prove to the CEP that you are a Nevada resident, and able to work, you will need the NVDL or NVID and your SS Card. Once you have the letter of intent filled out CEP should be able to issue you vouchers to be used to pay for the work cards. Break a leg kids. (Buzz123 is not responsible for changes in the CEP since he retired 2 years ago.)

Oh, and I don't know the going hourly rate now but generally who cares? You will make so much in tips you'll want to donate your hourly to me.


Health Card

All persons working around food must carry a health card. Getting one requires you to come in person to the Health Card Office and fill out an application. The card costs $10 (bring cash, no checks are accepted) and is good for two years. The office is located at 625 Shadow Lane, near downtown Las Vegas, and is open 8am–4pm, Monday through Friday. Unlike the sheriffs card, you may apply for a health card at any time, with or without the promise of a job. For additional information call (702) 383-1226.

Alcohol Awareness Card

Similar to a health card, an alcohol awareness card or TAM (technical alcohol management) card is required for anyone serving or working around alcoholic beverages. To receive a card, you are required to attend a four-hour educational class, after which you will be given a test to pass. The card costs $20 (bring cash, no checks are accepted) and is available through the TAM of Nevada, located at 557 E Sahara Avenue, Suite 223, Las Vegas. To register, simply show up ten minutes before the start of a class. They are offered at various times Monday through Saturday. For specific class times and additional information call (702) 369-0399.

[QC2Vegas]

Buzz,
Thank you so much for your help! As I said, we will have many more questions over the next few months because we want to make sure we do this right.
We are coming to Las Vegas in August to apartment hunt and start the job search. Would it be prudent to get the TAM and Health cards when we come to visit? And as far as getting a NVDL, are the lines in your DMVs as ungodly as ours are in NC?
We are so excited about this move we can barely sleep. I can't thank you, and anyone else who helps, enough for your assistance. We'll be in touch..

Mark

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by QC2Vegas

Buzz,
We are coming to Las Vegas in August to apartment hunt and start the job search. Would it be prudent to get the TAM and Health cards when we come to visit? And as far as getting a NVDL, are the lines in your DMVs as ungodly as ours are in NC?

Mark

Uh, August? And you'll be moving in October? You might want to come in September instead. It will still be very hot but maybe a few degrees cooler than August. Like 105 instead of 110. It might be good to go ahead and get those cards out of the way while you're here. At least you will be starting an energy flow in the direction of getting a job. I don't think you need a local address for those two cards. I don't believe that you will be able to get the NVDL until you have a permanent address here though. I've never been in the DMV in NC, and it depends on what is a long line for you. I don't find it to be too bad these days now that they've streamlined the process a little bit. It just depends on the hour of day, day of week, and how many more Californians moved here that week. You'll be in line for probably half an hour to get a number, then you'll get to sit while you wait to be called. My advise is to bring a book just in case. I think the DMV office on W. Flamingo Rd. is the best one to go to these days. It keeps changing.

[lvkewlkid]

The East Sahara ticket line goes by really fast if you get there at 4 PM...

[olecapt]

They however need a local address and a local cell phone to get hired.

In areas like bartending and wait staff the town is unforgiving. If you ain't a local your chance of getting hired goes down 90%.

So first thing is a local address and a local cell phone.

Next understand you don't start at the top...Unless you are absolutely gorgeous...And the standard is high. Helps to be young. 21/22 is best under 30 for the top places. And "hot".

Then you find a place and get employed. Hogs and Heifers of that is the best available. Then you hunt around and move up the food chain.

To start though you gotta be local. So get that done up front.

And when you get to the main bar at Voodoo call me and I will sell you a proper house.

[Buzz123]

I worked with a real handsome young guy that got a P/T job bartending. He was making more in two or three shifts a week than he was at his F/T job, but it was physically hard on him. I think he is in his 30s.

[mrkool]

Interesting post title... "Two Hot Eastern Bartenders..."
No one will accuse you of low self-esteem, that's for sure.

[QC2Vegas]

HAHA! Well, I'm actually a little more modest than I sound In Charlotte I've worked in about the highest volume bar/club you can work at, so I am excited to get out there and test my limits. Bartender in high volume is definately a work out, but I love being behing a bar and do believe that I am very good at it. As for my girlfriend, she is drop dead gorgeous and will probably leave me witin a month of getting there
So, get an address and a local phone number, and get to the DMV. 30 mins in line sounds like heaven. In the bad DMVs in Charlotte its an all day event sometimes. And I mean it...sometimes as bad as like 5 hours in line!!!
How about car insurance and registration? How does car insurance compare to the east?
And whats everyones favorite drink?

Mark n Asia

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by QC2Vegas

As for my girlfriend, she is drop dead gorgeous and will probably leave me witin a month of getting there
So, get an address and a local phone number, and get to the DMV. 30 mins in line sounds like heaven. In the bad DMVs in Charlotte its an all day event sometimes. And I mean it...sometimes as bad as like 5 hours in line!!!
How about car insurance and registration? How does car insurance compare to the east?
And whats everyones favorite drink?

Mark n Asia

Asia? That is a hot sounding name. So she's drop dead gorgeous? Does she like older men by any chance?
Just warn Asia that out of the 1 million men in Vegas, at least 750,000 of them will try to convince her that they own "points" in a casino and can get her anything she wants, or that they can make her a star. When she hears that she should run in the opposite direction.

It is possible to spend several hours at the DMV (don't forget you'll have to also register your car, which can be expensive), but at least you'll get to sit most of the time.

Car insurance rates will probably be higher here. Maybe even much higher.

Since I found out I'm allergic to tequila, I'll just take a gin and tonic. But I won't respect you unless you know how to make a margarita the right way.