FROM DISHWASHER TO TOP DOG

Stories from a life spent behind the bar

By Courtney Plaize (she/her)

Being a female bartender is hard. Now add management and Courtenay Place to the mix. 

Whilst being a bartender has been one of the most enjoyable, rewarding and growth inducing jobs I've ever experienced, it has also equally been the most challenging, dangerous and ego-filled industry I have ever stepped foot into. 

I started how all good bartenders should: as a glassy. A 19-year-old me strutted into my trial shift with the utmost confidence. I cleared glasses, had fun — oh, and also got harassed on my first ever night on the job. As a small, shy lady,I decided to brush it off and move on. Later, when I told my coworkers about this, they said I should always tell them or our bouncers if anything like that happens again. This was the first time it clicked in my brain that this is normal. This is a regular occurrence. On one hand, shout out to my first team for having a plan in place to handle these events. However the fact that this is standard for Wellington town really jaded me. 

To add context, I was not a regular town goer during my first year at uni. In fact, I probably went to town four times in my first year. So it was kind of insane for me to think I could jump into running the night life when I'd barely experienced it, right? Here’s the thing — I enjoy the nightlife, just not the drinking and party drugs aspect. Bartending is the perfect compromise.

Once I'd worked my way out of dishy, I got the rose coloured glasses of glory, being an actual bartender. Slinging drinks, partying with customers and getting tips?! This was blinding lights of bartending, where you get a massive ego high. 

Once I became a bartender, I started hanging out with more bartenders, and whilst this has built some incredible life long friendships for me, it has also made me more aware of people's intentions. People can be selfish and egotistical — we all know this — but putting those people in an industry where they are praised like local celebrities, getting numbers, going home with the hottest customers, it causes rifts. 

I can't say I’m not guilty of enjoying the celebrity persona, however there were some people who were overcome by it. They stopped caring about safety, kindness and genuine awareness. They flooded their brains with their own ego, making it difficult to even sit through a conversation with them. Again, this isn't every bartender, but these guys can make even the best environment difficult.

Past the bartender struggles of egos, insults and learning how to cut people off we reach the manager status. I got very lucky where I was to have learnt so much from my door team, my general manager and managers above me before I took the reins. And after my first successful night on the floor, I was running nearly every single weekend. I was so proud of myself for doing a good job. 

Being a floor manager means your name is on the wall. You're responsible for everything that goes down in the venue. Your goal is to make sure everyone in the building is abiding by the liquor laws. Your eyes have to be sharp, you have to be patient, and listen to your team and customers. You have to set the vibe, be a bartender, be a host, be a bouncer, the life of the party, a therapist, a DJ (and let's not forget a puke janitor). That dimmed the lights, making me realise how hard working in town is.

We were lucky to have two strong female bar managers and one of them was our general manager. We prided ourselves on creating a safe and inclusive environment. We wanted everyone to have fun whilst following liquor laws, which can end someone's night way quicker than expected. But it's all in the name of safety, and the law of course. Whilst I can't say that we were anywhere near perfect, we were fortunate to get many compliments on the way we ran that bar. Many people would tell us how safe they felt around us and in the atmosphere we created.

Regardless of anyone's opinion we will always have town, whether you're there as a bartender or a party goer, we’re all people experiencing this environment - so take care of each other and be safe out there.