bartender

American  

[bahr-ten-der] / ˈbɑrˌtɛn dər /

noun

bartenders plural

1. a person who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar.

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bartender British  

/ ˈbɑːˌtɛndə /

noun

1. a person who serves in a bar

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bartenders
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bartender

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; bar ¹ + tender ³

Explanation

A bartender is a person who mixes, pours, and serves drinks from behind a bar. The bartender at a bar mitzvah may spend hours putting little paper umbrellas in Shirley Temples for the young guests. If you work as a bartender, you need to know how to mix cocktails, pour wine and beer, and keep the bar tidy. Most bartenders don't make a high hourly wage, but depend on tips to make a good living. Many events, like wedding receptions and big parties, include a bartender. The word itself dates from the early 19th century, from bar, which comes from the barrier or counter over which drinks are served, and tender, or "seller."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bartender bartenders

Watching this slapstick routine of quitters and re-enterers from a vantage point atop the polls is Francesca Hong, a state representative, part-time bartender, and Democratic Socialists of America member.

From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2026

He frequently speaks about his humble beginnings as the son of a bartender and a hotel maid.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

But the book is like a history-themed Trivia Night at a lively bar, with the bartender pumping laughing gas into the room.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Paul had a recurring role playing Hughie the bartender at Foxy’s on the ABC daytime soap “All My Children” for 12 years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

“Heidi,” her freckled bartender friend says, “Mitch is kind of pissed.”

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

DJs, bartenders, door people, lovers, ex-lovers, activists and friends formed networks that were not always formal but were often lifesaving.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

Robot rentals are becoming available for anything from a day to years for a variety of purposes, from Moxi's hospital deliveries to robot bartenders or autonomous weeders for farms.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

The bartenders and servers, some dressed in light-up rave gear, were trying to ratchet up excitement by passing around stickers.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

“However you can get out of LAX the fastest and the cheapest is how everybody’s calculating in my circle of bartenders and magicians” said Joshua Lucas, a passenger who was recently arriving at LAX.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Thanks to him, I learned veiy quickly dozens of little things that could really ingratiate a new waiter with the cooks and bartenders.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey