How to Make 6 Figures As A Bartender? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a bartender? Good for you! Being a bartender is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a bartender - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could open up new revenue streams and help you make six figures as a bartender. By creating content that entertains or informs, you could draw in a dedicated audience and eventually attract sponsors or advertisers willing to pay for airtime on your show.
Choose a niche related to your bartending experience, such as cocktail recipes, industry trends, or bartending tips. With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and an affordable hosting platform, you could produce high-quality episodes without breaking the bank.
Promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to grow your listener base. Over time, your podcast could become a significant source of supplemental income and even turn into a full-fledged business.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
2. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel centered around bartending could open doors to additional revenue streams, helping you make six figures. By sharing mixology tips, cocktail recipes, and behind-the-bar tricks, you could attract a large audience, potentially reaching the minimum 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours needed to join YouTube’s monetization program.
Once your channel gains traction, you could earn income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Moreover, with engaging content, you might even be able to sell your own branded merchandise or offer paid online bartending classes. This multi-faceted approach could significantly supplement your bartending income, turning your passion into a lucrative side hustle.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
3. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a bartender, helping you reach that six-figure goal. Identify educational gaps and teach specialized skills or knowledge you possess, perhaps in mixology, customer service excellence, or even effective bar management. You could attract a dedicated student base eager to learn from your experience.
By designing engaging video lessons and accompanying materials, your self-paced or cohort-based courses provide opportunities for passive income. This side business allows you to monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs while catering to lifelong learners seeking convenient and practical education in hospitality.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
4. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting digital products could provide you with the extra income and flexibility needed to make six figures as a bartender. Since digital products are easy to create and share, you could turn your bartending expertise into a profitable online course or ebook, offering tips, recipes, and techniques to aspiring bartenders worldwide.
Alternatively, you could develop a membership site or community focused on bartending, providing paid subscribers with exclusive content and live training sessions. The beauty of digital products is that they don't require physical inventory, so you could sell them directly from your website without logistical headaches. With creativity and effort, these digital ventures could significantly boost your earnings alongside your bartending career.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
5. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a bartender, you could leverage your unique experiences and knowledge to become a social media influencer, creating content around mixology, cocktail recipes, or behind-the-bar stories. Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok offer you the chance to reach a massive audience eager to engage with such content.
Brands are constantly seeking influencers to promote their products, ranging from spirits and mixers to bar tools and accessories. With the right strategy and engaging content, you could build a credible online presence, attract brand partnerships, and earn substantial income through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or even selling your own branded merchandise.
By tapping into the growing importance of social media, you could supplement your bartending income and explore entrepreneurial opportunities that pave the way towards making six figures.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
6. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be your ticket to making six figures as a bartender. Whether you want to clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, this side hustle allows you to earn extra income without sacrificing too much of your time. By utilizing automated social media marketing tools, you could develop and implement effective strategies to serve your clients efficiently.
Creating an agency portfolio will help you market your services and attract target customers. With a well-thought-out plan and a bit of effort, this side business could grow substantially, supplementing your bartending income and potentially turning into a full-time venture. This entrepreneurial path holds endless possibilities for those willing to invest in it.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a bartender and potentially make six figures. With an eCommerce business, you could leverage lower overhead costs and increased flexibility compared to brick-and-mortar stores. This means you could manage your online store around your bartending shifts, maximizing your earning potential without sacrificing your primary job.
As the eCommerce industry continues to boom, you could reach a wider audience and tap into the growing consumer preference for online shopping. Setting up a website where customers can browse your inventory and purchase items is straightforward, and you could use simple payment processing software to accept credit card payments. Whether you decide to sell niche bar-related products or explore other profitable trends, an eCommerce store offers a scalable business model that could significantly boost your overall income.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
8. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a game-changer in your quest to make six figures as a bartender. With the credibility of blogs being the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and 77% of internet users reading blogs, you could reach a vast audience by sharing your unique experiences, tips, and knowledge related to bartending.
You could use your blog as a creative outlet to discuss cocktail recipes, bar management tips, or industry trends. Over time, as your readership grows, you could monetize your blog through ads, sponsored posts, or even selling your products, such as eBooks or online courses. This not only supplements your income but could also eventually develop into a full-time, location-independent business venture.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
9. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be an impactful way to supplement your income and help you reach six figures as a bartender. By leveraging your interpersonal skills and hospitality experience, you could provide personalized guidance and support to clients seeking career growth and transitions. Offering services such as resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement strategies, you could design custom sessions tailored to each client’s aspirations.
Building a client base through in-person or virtual meetings allows for a flexible schedule, making it feasible to balance alongside your bartending shifts. This side business could especially thrive if you have a knack for motivating and inspiring others, helping people achieve their professional goals while significantly boosting your own earnings.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
10. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly boost your income as a bartender, allowing you to leverage your free time and flexible schedule to take on writing gigs. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a knack for effective communication, you could create compelling content across various niches and attract well-paying clients.
Freelancing offers the flexibility to work from home at any time, making it an excellent side hustle that complements your bartending career. Over time, as you refine your skills and build a reputation, this side business could evolve into a substantial source of income, potentially leading you closer to that six-figure mark.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
11. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a bartender, you could supplement your income by becoming an affiliate marketer, promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission on every sale made through your referrals. This side business is low-cost because you don't need to create or own the products yourself; instead, you simply leverage your marketing skills to drive traffic and sales.
To get started, you’d sign up for affiliate programs in niches that interest you. Once approved, you’ll receive unique tracking links to share with potential customers, allowing you to earn commissions for each successful sale. With minimal upfront investment, this could be an excellent way to boost your earnings and work towards making six figures.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
