The Supreme Court’s verdict on banning liquor at hotels and restaurants within 500 metres of highways may have affected the hospitality industry but it has not in any way stymied the demand for bartenders.
“Many hotels that had to close down their bars due to the apex court ruling have shifted bartenders to the non-alcoholic section. So, they continue to remain much sought after,” said Pankaj Kamble, founder of Flair-o-logy, a bartending school based on Shivajinagar Wakdewadi Road.
Bartending as a profession has caught on in Pune, which being the education capital, attracts a lot of youngsters. “The workplace of bartenders is mostly at party places and who does not like to be at parties, especially youngsters,” said Rohan Rege, assistant manager food and beverages at JW Marriott, Pune, which organised a bartending competition called “World class” recently.
Despite the growing popularity of the profession and the glamour attached to it, very few female bartenders can be seen in the city.
“Working at the bar means dealing with intoxicated people. This might be hard for women. People at the bar also have to lift heavy cartons and adjust to odd timings, which might be an issue with women,” Rege said.
