Do Bartending Jobs Sustain a Single Person's Lifestyle? (Miami, Madeira Beach: low income, apartment) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

Jroad · 10-20-2014, 10:31 AM

Do Bartending Jobs Sustain a Single Person's Lifestyle-- let me elaborate before the questions fly

I have a lot of thoughts and have done a TON of research, so bear with me.

I am relocating to FL, Madeira Beach area to be specific, and I already know my rental rate. I am single, college educated, no children, one dog, I have some student loans ($700 a month), but live a very modest lifestyle. I don't go out and drink every night, I eat out now and then but know how to manage my money. I currently live in Maryland, where everything is taxed, so I do know that the taxes on a salary or hourly paycheck would be significantly less if I went the "day job" route. In MD hourly and salaries are higher than FL, but maybe it would balance out to a certain extent with the less taxes anyway.

My more important question, though, is that there are so many people generalizing the entire state of FL saying that EVERYONE is paycheck to paycheck and if you have a nice place you can't do anything other than pay rent and the electric bill. Is this true for EVERY JOB? I know it can't be true for EVERY job but some individuals make it sound like that is the case.

I know the answers will be subjective but let me break down my math thoughts for you as far as BARTENDING goes:
At a busy, well- managed bar the goal for any bartender (in any state) would be to make $200 a night. Let's just aim low though and say $150 a night at 5 days a week= $750 a week* 4 weeks a month= $3000 a month.

Maybe its because I don't have a family, but that's plenty for me, with extra! Is my math unrealistic? are there literally no restaurants hiring? This seems like a better route for me personally than to take something at $12 a hour so that is my plan for the immediate future as I have 10 years of experience.

Thoughts? Because it is disheartening to hear how difficult it is to be happy in FL when I have wanted to move for 4 years and am finally at a crossroads to be able to do so.

jambo101 · 10-20-2014, 10:39 AM

$3000 a month as a bar tender sounds wildly optimistic, i guess it depends on the bar, in my brief experience at bar tending,coincidentally a beach bar called Skips on Madeira beach, i'd estimate i only made something on the order of double minimum wage on a good night..

PhotoProIP · 10-20-2014, 10:46 AM

Sorry for asking, but if you are college educated why are you taking jobs away from those who may not have a college education and the option for better salaries! If college educated people compete for these low end jobs, what should low income HS or less educated should do? Fair question. Seems very counterintuitive to pay for college and then work as bartender!

Jroad · 10-20-2014, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

Sorry for asking, but if you are college educated why are you taking jobs away from those who may not have a college education and the option for better salaries! If college educated people compete for these low end jobs, what should low income HS or less educated should do? Fair question. Seems very counterintuitive to pay for college and then work as bartender!

This is to start out, as stated, for the immediate future, not a career path. Restaurants, if you have experience, in theory are quicker to get a job and get on your feet than at some random company making way less hourly then what I need and being then taxed on it.

I don't really see what you are saying but I do believe that your view may be because you don't know that I HATE wasting my day at a desk, I do it now, and that I am good at bartending and I enjoy it, and I need to meet tons of people to get my feet wet moving to a new state. So there are many personal reasons that no stranger will ever know, including those with negative opinions or accusations. It's not taking any jobs away from someone if I am good at it and enjoy it then I would be taking away something from myself if I don't do something I thrive at........

Anyway this thread and question is about math, not about anyone "taking" anything from anyone....so if we could stick to facts, that would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks!

Spring Hillian · 10-20-2014, 12:06 PM

What wasnt taken into consideration is that you dont just wake up one morning and become a bar tender. Some may think anyone can do it when in fact it requires training and experience to be a professional bartender. They also dont realize what a bar tender earns. It is certainly not a low wage job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jroad

This is to start out, as stated, for the immediate future, not a career path. Restaurants, if you have experience, in theory are quicker to get a job and get on your feet than at some random company making way less hourly then what I need and being then taxed on it.

I don't really see what you are saying but I do believe that your view may be because you don't know that I HATE wasting my day at a desk, I do it now, and that I am good at bartending and I enjoy it, and I need to meet tAons of people to get my feet wet moving to a new state. So there are many personal reasons that no stranger will ever know, including those with negative opinions or accusations. It's not taking any jobs away from someone if I am good at it and enjoy it then I would be taking away something from myself if I don't do something I thrive at........

Anyway this thread and question is about math, not about anyone "taking" anything from anyone....so if we could stick to facts, that would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks!

himain · 10-20-2014, 02:39 PM

You need experience to be a bartender. Go take a bartender class. That will help you. You can't just walk into a place and say you want to be a bartender with no experience or schooling under your belt-unless your a woman with DD's

I made very good living waitressing in Miami. Always cleared at least $800 a week cash. I do have my bartenders license as well but never used it as I was making more money than them

franniejacks · 10-21-2014, 05:00 AM

This is Florida; food/beverage jobs are subject to high season demand and then no-season demand. There are bars that do well year round, but those are plum jobs for experienced workers and there's little turnover. You need to be prepared for feast and famine at most food industry jobs in Florida. Many layoffs after the high season and/or reduced hours, reduced customer base.

lmw36 · 10-21-2014, 07:04 AM

I am NOT working in the bar/restaurant scene anymore, however my friend who just moved down from NY is. She is, however, living with her boyfriend who has full time salaried work. He doesn't make much, but they can pay their rent with her job. She is graphic design and is having a hard time finding FT work, hence the bartending/waitressing. She could not do it alone. All of the "good" shifts go to more seasoned workers. She works so many hours, doesn't make much money (bad shifts), and therefore doesn't really have the time to get a second job since she is working so many hours. She's considering quitting to try and find another restaurant soon. They currently have 30 servers on their schedule.

She got her job quickly, however there is high competition in the area with so many college students. Not saying you can't get one of these jobs, just be prepared to fight.

With that being said, I believe it would be wise of you to move down with at LEAST 5 months of living expenses in a bank account. Especially by the beaches, I would imagine that a lot of the business is heavily fluctuating and seasonal. I think your money expectations are highly optimistic. I would hope if you don't at least have the 5-6 months living expenses (I live by this now and am full time salaried, it's just the responsible thing to do in case of layoff/injury/emergencies), I hope you at least have a heavily supportive family member who could bail you out.

HOWEVER, would there be anything stopping you from getting another part time job, even if it's somehow working form home?

What is your rental rate? Have you found an apartment yet?

Also, depending where you are coming from, keep in mind your car insurance rate may double (mine did, and I am a female with NO tickets ever), and your renters insurance will go up. This was real sticker shock. Even though I am coming from a higher COL state and got a raise to move down here, my quality of life is around the same. Not a bad thing, just letting you know there are many hidden costs to living in the sunshine state.

You seem like a people person, which is great. I think it's great you want to find something you enjoy. Have you considered looking on places like cofounders lab (people who want to create their own businesses) or even craigslist to find business partners? You are young and I am guessing with out much capital, but if you are serious about this thing, maybe you could find some luck in those places.

Good luck, don't be stupid about it, bring as much money with you as possible, and live light. If it doesn't work out for you, you don't want to be bogged down with a bunch of heavy furniture to move. Have a plan B.

jsun556 · 10-21-2014, 07:08 AM

It depends on what bar you are working at...

Are you working at a large, well known venue or some beach dive? Too many variables.

Irishiis49 · 10-21-2014, 10:56 AM

You usually can't walk into a new state/ industry/job and expect to make money right away...however in your position (single unattached) you can afford to bounce around a little to find the best/most $ job...I would pick a place on or around the beach and NOT with an older crowd (over 65)...Good luck...