Acoba said his bartenders work six to eight hours shifts. The Eastside Grill employs six bartenders, two of which are college students. Wendi Bailey, a bartender at Chelsea Street and a senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major, said being a bartender does have its benefits. She said bartenders at some restaurants get 15 percent of the tips from all waiters and waitresses each night they work. Bartender tips from a restaurant are usually not as big as tips from a club or bar.
Hourly wages depend on the establishment.
Another benefit to being a bartender is meeting many people every night. Browning said working at Shadow Canyon has allowed him to catch many concerts without having to pay. They're not just making drinks. They're there to watch the bar. They're responsible to customers on how much they drink.