Bartender Jobs in Chicago, IL

Chicago Bartender Jobs Overview

A sandwich walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.”

If you spend enough time in bartender jobs, you will hear every “walks into a bar” joke ever written. A good bartender is likely to laugh along since being friendly with customers is one of the keys to success in the bartending industry.

And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best bartenders are going to be in high demand. The BLS is projecting an impressive 32% growth in bartending jobs over the next 10 years, mostly in full-service restaurants and bars. Additional bartender jobs are opening up as more grocery stores and movie theaters offer beverage service to their customers.

Along with mixing and serving drinks, a bartender is often responsible for cleaning the bar, tables, and work areas, ordering liquor from suppliers, and preparing garnishes. Many bars offer food, requiring bartenders to take and serve orders. Two of the most critical responsibilities of bartenders are to make sure customers are of legal drinking age and to monitor customers to make sure they are not intoxicated to the point of impairment.

You can expand your search for food service jobs by checking out these similar positions:

About Working in Chicago, Illinois

If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.

However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.

Update Your Chicago Bartender Resume

If you need to concoct a resume, or just refresh yours, look at this sample bartender resume to see what information to include. An accompanying cover letter is a plus when applying for bartender jobs because it can convey your personality and enthusiasm for your work. If you’re applying for your first bartender positions, be sure to mention any past jobs that have required customer service, since that’s a critical skill for a bartender.

How Much Do Bartender Jobs Pay in Chicago, Illinois?

Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in bartender jobs in Chicago, Illinois, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median bartender pay in Chicago is $11.76 per hour, which is 3% higher than the national average.

Find Your Next Chicago Bartender Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started

Are you prepared for a career in bartender? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those bartender jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.