People work hard and thus they have every right to even play hard. There is nothing better than evening booze after a long day of work. This is the primary reason why we see bars full of people, enjoying the time of their life. Be it with friends or cousins, everyone seems to be in a jolly mood, trying to eliminate the work-related stress and get in the groove with some alcoholic hangover. These bars hire a bar manager, as owners want to ensure that their customers get a high level of service without any hindrance whatsoever. The role of a bar manager is simple, that is managing a bar place, but it is marred by a lot of challenges and unprecedented situations.
Best 21 Interview Questions To Study
1) What Do You Mean By Vermouth?
This question tests your knowledge and grip on core concepts of drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Sample Answer
Sir, Vermouth is an aromatic wine that includes several shrubs or herbs. It comes in both white as well as red colors and was originates in the breweries of France and Italy. It is common to mix vermouth with gin and serve it to the customers of the bar. Further, it is common to further fortify vermouth with additional alcohol, grape brandy, so as to improve its color composition and enhance the alcoholic content, so that it gives more satisfaction to the person having a drink.
2) Which Drink Is Made From Fermented Barley?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various types of alcoholic beverages.
Sample Answer
Sir, whiskey is produced when we ferment barley. Along with barley, corn, grain mash and rye are also fermented so as to obtain a unique taste and flavor. The fermentation process takes place in charred white oak wood and is stopped as soon as whiskey is taken out of the casks. This enables the production of around 40% alcoholic content in the whiskey.
3) Where Do You See Yourself In The Next Five Years?
This is a personality evaluating question that enables an interviewer to check, what is your vision and how serious are you in working for the organization as well as advancing your own career. Do not respond in any awkward manner, like saying, I want to grab your seat. Be realistic and logical.
Sample Answer
Sir, being a committed and disciplined individual I always aspire to reach great heights in my career. If you talk about the next 5 years, I believe I will be working with you, but in a higher position with an enhanced salary. I know this would take a lot of hard work and composure, but being a follower of dreams and a gritty person, I believe, I will be able to make the most of the opportunity put before me.
4) Explain The Term Cognac.
This question tests your knowledge and grip on core concepts of drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Sample Answer
Sir, cognac is an alcoholic beverage that is quite unique and special. It uses Ugni Blanc grapes for its preparation. Such grapes must be fermented and distilled two times in copper pots. After the distillation process, the solution prepared is left for ageing for almost two years. The container in which the solution is left for ageing is also special and is made up of unique French oak barrels. There is a high demand for such drinks in bars nowadays and it is essential to have complete knowledge of the same.
5) Please Tell Me the Ingredients Of Gin.
This question tests your knowledge and grip on core concepts of drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Sample Answer
Sure sir, these are:
- Juniper berries
- Citrus peel
- Cinnamon
- Almond
- Neutral grain alcohol
It is not a common practice to add any flavoring agent while preparing gin. Thus, all the flavors contained by the true gin as an alcoholic beverage are all-natural.
6) How Will You Handle A Pilferage Like Situation?
This question tests your knowledge in relation to the practical working procedures.
Sample Answer
Bar is a place for family and friends. Yet, it has to bear the burden of some crooks, who come to such a happy place, just to steal the glasses, cutleries or other valuable items. At the same time, a bar can be robbed by its own employees also. Being a bar manager, it is on the top of my list to ensure that such unscrupulous activities do not take place while I am in charge. If I ever encounter such a situation, I would first extend an official warning to the culprit. If he or she understands, I will not initiate any legal action, otherwise, I would immediately make a call to the cops.
7) What Is Your Awareness About Poisonous Alcohol?
This question tests your awareness about the various social issues and current developments related to your profession.
Sample Answer
Sir, poisonous alcohol is very dangerous for human consumption and proves to be fatal if consumed in large quantities. Some unethical greedy elements existing in our own society, prepare such a venom, using methyl alcohol or methanol. This element is used as an anti-freezing agent in the industries. However, this element also has the ability to enhance the alcoholic composition in a beverage. But, after adding it, the drink is not fit for human consumption.
8) Why You Left Your Previous Organization?
This is a tricky interview question and the responses generated through this question would enable an interviewer to understand the root cause of your resignation or removal from the position, which would further help in evaluating your personality and judging your personal and soft skills.
Sample Answer
Sir, my previous organization was a wonderful workplace with the existence of some superior colleagues and bosses. I was very happy working there, until, my existing boss made a migration to another company and was replaced by a young but arrogant boss. He was quite haughty and was always interested in handling the employees through high-handedness and domination. Soon, our exploitation started and we were made to work for extra hours without any additional compensation. This led to a mass exodus of the workforce, and I was also involved in such a mass movement.
9) Name The Four Types Of Alcohol.
This question tests your grip on the core principles of alcohol and the beverages made through it.
Sample Answer
Sure sir, these are:
- Ethyl alcohol, also known as Ethanol or Grain alcohol.
- Denatured alcohol
- Isopropyl and
- Rubbing alcohol
Out of the four mentioned above, the most commonly used alcohol, in almost 90% of the alcoholic beverages, is Ethyl alcohol.
10) If You Were An Animal What Would You Like To Be?
Sample Answer
11) When Can You Start?
It is absolutely normal and common for interviewers to get a quote of your availability during the interview session itself. Although immediate starters are always preferred, not everyone can start on an immediate basis, due to prior commitments and obligations. Hence, whatever the case may just share it with your interviewer.
Sample Answer
- For Freshers/Unemployed Individuals: Sir, I would like to express my ability to start on an immediate basis. I have absolutely no prior obligations to fulfill and no duties to perform. Hence consider me in, on an immediate basis.
- For Employed Individuals: Desperate for a job change, I have already submitted a notice to my current employer. I hope that I would receive my relieving letter within the next 14 days. Adding two days as a buffer, I declare that I would be able to join this esteemed organization on or after (___mention the date of your joining___)
12) How Good Are Your Arithmetical Skills?
Being a bar manager, you would sometimes be required to handle cash and cash-related activities in absence of the regular employees. Hence, you are expected to be an expert in performing the basic mathematical operations without the need for a calculator.
Sample Answer
Sir, be assured, I have exceptional mathematics knowledge and I am well versed with all the four basic as well as advanced mathematical operations. At the workplace, I will not be in need of a calculator. I have the self-ability to calculate differences, additions, and multiplications all by myself. This can be corroborated by my high school as well as college mark sheets.
13) What Motivates You To Work?
This is a common interview question thorough which an interviewer wants to know what motivational factors prompt you to work hard and push you towards achieving your goals and objectives in life. Just be true and genuine here.
Sample Answer
Being an aspirational person with a burning desire to work hard and earn widespread recognition for my exceptional personal performances, I am always fascinated and motivated to perform to my highest caliber. Further, being born in a lower middle class family of five, I am the sole breadwinner. I always wish to earn huge salaries so as to fulfill the basic requirements for myself and as well as my family. Such conditions and circumstances motivate me to work regularly and live for my dreams.
14) How Will You Ensure Safety Of Women Customers In A Place Like Bar?
This is a very important question related to the women customers of the bar. Answer this question in a unique manner, as a well-structured and logical answer could truly impress your interviewer.
Sample Answer
I see a lot of women customers in a bar, the attendance of whom outnumbers the male customers. Hence, it is essential and of utmost importance that this section of the customers is properly taken care of and even protected. Whenever, I see a group of young men, that seems a bit wayward or unruly, I immediately call two guards inside the bar compound. I keep a keen eye on such a group until they leave the bar. My priority is the safety of all the customers, including both women as well as male customers.
15) What Is Your Major Strength?
This is a common interview question, appearing in almost all the interview sessions. Through this question, an employer wants to know your level of understanding and awareness about the self. It is advised that you answer this question after careful self-scrutiny and analysis.
Sample Answer
In my humble opinion, my ability to remain calm, composed, and polite even in the most stressful and panicking situation, is my biggest advantage or strength. I believe, this is a major requirement in a place like a bar, where people under alcoholic influence, perform acts that are sometimes quite unethical and unacceptable. To handle such a situation effectively, they always need a polite and solution-oriented person, which I believe, I am.
16) Why You Chose Us?
This is a common interview question through which an interviewer wants to know your level of seriousness and commitment towards the organization you to sought to work with.
Sample Answer
Being a decade-old bar, with branches spread in the entire city, entertaining and pleasing more than 5000 loyal customers, it is my dream workplace. I always wanted to work at this bar since my college days and have been craving to be a part of the workforce. I believe the policies designed by the organization are really employee-centric and the organization really values the principles of goal congruence. In addition to this, the organization is offering me a nice pay hike over my current salary, which entices me to be a part of this esteemed organization.
17) How Do You Maintain The Decorum Of A Place Like Bar?
This is a practical question, wherein you are expected to share the response in case the discipline or the decorum of a bar is disturbed.
Sample Answer
A bar is a funny place. People come here to enjoy and spend the best time of their lives. Yet, there always some situations and circumstances that involve quick brawls, hurling abuses, heated arguments, and quarrels. Such instances impact the other peaceful customers a lot. My first priority would be to act in the interests of such peaceful customers. I would immediately remove the unethical elements from the bar by first requesting them honorably and if they do not get off, I would call the guards.
18) How Will You Handle A Discontent and Intoxicated Customer?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of some of the practical working procedures.
Sample Answer
In a place like a bar, it is common for customers to perform acts that are totally unacceptable and they get disgruntled also. I, in the first place, would ensure that such a precarious situation does not happen. But, if still anything like this happens, I would always keep my cool and would try to understand the root cause of the problem, using my active listening skills. After this, I would make the customer calm and would use my critical thinking and analysis, so as to identify an optimal resolution for the customer. In most probability, he or she would be satisfied, but if the issue still persists, I would refer the case to my senior.
19) Have You Applied With Our Competitors?
This is a tricky interview question. It is common for interviewers to put you in uncomfortable conditions, by asking some wily questions. Be calm and always respond in a genuine manner.
Sample Answer
To be honest and in order to maintain m integrity, I would respond to this question in a truthful manner. Yes, sir, I have applied with your rival organizations as well as competitors. I have done so, in order to enhance the chances of my selection and get a job as soon as possible. Further, this in no manner means that I do not rate this organization highly. I am very much interested in having a position at your prestigious organization.
20) Can You Handle Work Pressure?
This is a common interview question through which an interviewer wants to judge your ability and viewpoints to work for long strenuous hours without any considerable break. Always answer this question in a positive manner.
Sample Answer
Yes sir absolutely. I have been a bar manager for the past 5 years and have experienced and borne all types of work pressure. I am absolutely ready and up for the challenge, Further, in order to effectively handle my duties and maintain a high level of focus and concentration throughout my work tenure, I always engage myself in intense physical workouts as well as yoga and meditation. Further, my commitment and engaging attitude motivate me to work hard for long hours and perform adorably.
21) Do You Have Any Questions For Us?
Be it an interview session organized to hire the CEO of the company or be it to hire a bar manager, it is a common habit of the interviewers to conclude an interview session with this question. This question gives an opportunity to the candidate to ask a few questions from the interviewer about the organization, the job profile, duties to be performed, work timings, etc. Efforts must be laid so as to ask some relevant and interesting questions. Skipping this question is not at all preferred, as that would deem that you are an insincere and underprepared candidate.
Sample Questions
- How many employees work on a floor?
- What are the work timings?
- What are the various organizational policies in relation to maintaining a safe working environment?
- Please enumerate the various health benefits offered by the organization to its employees.
- Do you provide maternity/paternity leaves?
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Bar Manager interviews):
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KBYtEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Top+21+Bar+Manager+Interview+Questions+In+2021&ots=eDQtEUbGqk&sig=5JEp2npeHl5P-lxep0uG4nxAPTU
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1938965520923961
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