Bartending, can I survive off of it?

Shorty,

Thanks for your input. Do you have any suggestions on any other jobs I could look for?

I have a couple of friends who make that nightly in season bartending here on stx. Off season is a totally different story and it all depends on the bar. Some places you won't make 100/night.

Regardless, you can expect to have to work 2 jobs or house=share with someone - or find a rooming house.

I wish all that wish to attempt it here lots of luck. I love it - have made it work on a very limited income. I started in an efficiency (thanks DanielJude) and now rent a 3 bedroom house. (But I have roommates that I share with). But I can't complain. In the 2 years I've been here there have been great people helping me along the way (thanks Ric & Linda J) and this board has been invaluable.

Best of luck to all!

Hi Alexis,

Where in Mass are you guys coming from. I live in western Mass and hope to be relocating to St John with my husband over the summer or early fall. I hope to come out for pmv again in late May or first of June. I saw postings in February for apartments in Coral Bay for 700-900 a month if that helps but you would probably need a car to get to Cruz Bay. Where will you be working? Have you ever eaten there before? My husband and I have combed the Island at several different times of the year. We are really excited, but definitely put together a nest egg. We have talked to lots of locals on STJ about relocating. We are coming with at least 25,000 and no debt, no obligations. We are late 20's. I would love to know how you do as many of the posts are about moving to STT or STX. Again good luck to you both!

Sarah

It definitely depends on where you work & which island. STJ is usually higher end so depending on where you work, you'll probably make more. You'll find out soon enough where the higher salaries are. There is a lot of turnover in bartending & waitressing & being reliable & working hard will get you far. Of course, those aren't the only jobs available. I know a gal who works on charter boats as a sort of 2nd mate/hostess & it's not unusual to make a few hundred a day on a GOOD day. In fact, last week she made $400.00 in a day. Some of the charters are heavy tippers.

promoguy: Ref your comment, "We'll be down end of June for a couple of weeks. I'd rather leave you a tip than STT Resident at her place. But I probably would anyways."

What's that all about? No problem if you explain on this open forum but you can also PM me. My present and all previous bartenders will readily attest to the fact that in any case I take NONE of the tips proffered and that includes tips made BEFORE he/she arrives on shift.

It's a "dig" which I don't understand, so please explain! Thanks so much.

Vay: I believe that you and promo are having a culture war. You see, to some people the name of the state is California, and they see the use of "Cali" as being disrespectful. That is a term people used before they decided to deconstruct it and call it "dissing," BTW. 😉 Now, my point is that, if "u" are having trouble in understanding the culture of an older person from the great state of California, "u" may have difficulty understanding the culture of people who are really different from you in the Virgin Islands.

Now go back to your corners, guys! Round THREE!!!!

East Ender,

I see your point, and I see Promoguy's point, I just think that he didn't need to be so rude about it. And when I say Cali I'm not dissing California or anything. Out here most people say they are from Cali which is just like saying STX instead of St. Croix.

But, to address what you mention, I think LA and the valley were more livable area in previous years. I loved it growing up. The valley was and ideal place to raise a family, over the last 10 -15 years things have changed. There are some great communities and nice areas, but you pay the cost to live there. The valley which was a suburb of LA , becasue of traffic, is more like its own city. Anyways most people are about gaining wealth, families move in and out of my community and there is little sense of a community.

I just think that 10 years ago and during my parent's generation, LA was a place to raise families and live a modest life. Sure now-a-days you could still that, but its not nearly the same. LA is filled with a great deal of young successful people who are chasing the American dream. But instead of a house with a white picket fence and 2 children and a dog, a lot of people want the $2 million dollar home on the Westside and are trying to save a few million so they could retire at 30 or 35 yrs old.

Promoguy took my statements as I speak for every person who live in LA, it was merely my experience. I am ready for a change and a new way of life. If I were a parent or even a little I might feel different, but I was taken aback by his negative tone, but I guess if he felt as though I was attacking CA then I could kinda understand.

Promoguy just be a little nicer please 🙂

Promo is too grouchy to be nice! 😉

People of your age may say Cali, but people of a certain age always say California. They never call it Frisco, either- it is The City or San Francisco. That is what I mean about culture differences. People in St Croix don't call it STX. They call it The Big Island and Twin City.

Promo: Go to your room!

LOL 😉

You silly little girl. Of course, when I come to your place I'll leave a tip. The tip for you will be a quick peck on the cheek and a big old hug.

I deeply apologize for any misinterpretation. I can't have both you and Vay hate me. And with you I will eat your food and don't want to bring my personal taster.

Interesting discussion going on here - just hopped back on briefly before retiring! Maybe promoguy is just having a bad bald day?

Vay, you seem to be on the right track so continue absorbing past and present posts and moving stories while preparing for your move.

And forgive those of us (veteran residents who continue to post on this forum) our trespasses in sometimes responding tersely and snarkily to some posters (those who sometimes unknowingly trespass against us by either NOT researching this forum or assuming we're idiots) and to whom of course we should of course always be kindly or simply not respond if we're just having a bad day.

thanks shorty I'll pass it on to my boss

as a protection I would rather not say where we will be working but from my research it appears to be a great place

the deal is the owner of the place we will be working at has arranged an apartment for us. It is a 2 bedroom and I will be sharing it with my boss and rent includes everything (strictly platonic relationship) and as he is getting a set salary he has agreed to help me out till I can get on my feet (so I won't have to hit my nest egg, I'd rather have it there to get back home in case things do not work out).

In addition I hope to supplement my income with my paintings. I am a struggling artist. A meager life style is something I am accustomed to. Being a waitress has afforded me the ability to paint, which is my passion.

I read that a health card is available for about $40.00. Can someone explain how that works? Is the health care good?

I am a vegan but plan on starting to eat fish. How realistic is it to think I can grow patio vegetables?

Alexis and others, I was a waitress and bartender on St. Thomas for about 10 years. I worked in 2 different casual restaurants. (not at the same time). I made great money. $300 a night? Absolutely possible on a regular basis, if you are in the right bar and in season. Sounds like "shorty" ran into some situations I am not at all familiar with. St. John is more "seasonal" than St. Thomas, and August and September are dead everywhere. There are a few places where you can make a living during off season. Places where the full time residents hang out, the kind of place where you wear shorts and tee shirt or tank to work. The high end places are great during season, but a lot of them actually close in the summer. What a lot of people do is work hard during season, stash a wad of cash, and take off during the summer.

Now, something that hasn't been mentioned. Are you a good looking, young lady with a big smile and able and willing to be a really good bartender? You will make a mint in the right bar. Sorry to sound sexist, but it's true. Do a little "bar hopping" and see for yourself the atmosphere, how busy they are on a Tuesday or Wednesday, if it suits your style. Talk to the manager. If they are not hiring, go back next week, someone probably quit. Good luck.

alexis,

The health card is something the government requires before you can serve food or drink. It is not health insurance and no the health care is not good as compared to stateside.

Teresa

Or do dishes or anything related to working in a restaurant.

I misread that info about the health card totally!

So what do people in the food business do for health coverage?

Also any thoughts on my trying to cut costs by growing some veggies as I am vegan? though have just started eating some fish

Juanita, in response to your "Now, something that hasn't been mentioned. Are you a good looking, young lady with a big smile and able and willing to be a really good bartender? You will make a mint in the right bar. Sorry to sound sexist, but it's true"

I'm OK looking, have done some modeling to help get by. And I know exactly what you're talking about, been in the business long enough to understand how it "works". I will check into that as well, thanks!

One last thing, someone mentioned getting around. Well I won't have a car so what are the taxi fares like. I would have to travel about 3 miles one way. I wouldn't mind riding a bike but wouldn't feel comfortable late at night trying to get back home. Are there buses?

Thanks STT Resident. I appreciate everything everyone has to say good and bad, and regardless of any negative comments I am making th move and have no doubts, just trying to learn as much as possible s to avoid any unnecessary mistakes once I'm there.

Thanks again.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this forum.Its so insightful and helpful.

apology accepted!

PS if you live in Van Nuys do you just spend summer in STT or occasional vacations? Just Curious
🙂

Have been spending two weeks end of June for the past several years on St John.

Did I apologize???

This wouldn't happen to be the same Sarah that was at Woody's the first day or so of March, 2005 when the Coral Reefers/Kenny Chesney were there?

juanita is absolutely correct about youth and beauty being a requirement at some bars. maybe that's why i don't make the kind of dough she does. i was once a babe, but i'm now middle aged. i've missed out on some jobs where they hired young beautiful girls with little or no experience, and i will say it has upset me. its a shame really, because i've been in this bizz for a long time and i really am good at sales and give excellent service and don't get overwhelmed the way a novice does. i should also add that i have never worked at the rowdier establishments where the youth go. i guess there is alot more money in those places, but i've never wanted to work where they do belly shots and get plastered; its just not my thing; nothing against it. luckily, for me, there are places that look for good service, well spoken, courteous and knowledgeable workers who know how the dishes are prepared and wines and such and aren't ageist and just wanting sexy kids. i did quit a job once when i was young in florida when they introduced a uniform that was an elongated tuxedo shirt, stockings and high heels, (not that you'll encounter that crap in the v.i.), i never liked the idea of selling sex appeal, (even when i had it, haha!); to me, its just not appropriate or part of the job.

still need info on health care, if it's not offered by your employer what options do you have?

also what about transportation, trying to find out what taxi fares are like. is there bus service?

Alexis: you might want to do a search on this forum (see "search" under "Forum tools") using key words to find threads relating to health insurance coverage and transportation. There has been loads of discussion on these hot topics and you'll find plenty of interesting and informative reading. Good luck.

thanks STT Resident!

Re health care. Many people go without. Some have policies through previous work - mine is a part of my retirement package. We paid extra for Ric to be on mine until he'd worked a year at the Buccaneer, then he was eligible for their health insurance.

But I'm pretty sure that most of the people in the service industry don't have any.

Nikki- sorry not the same Sarah! I wish though because i enjoy traveling to the islands so much! I was down in May 06 and Feb 07 and planning to return again June 07 (to STJ)

Sarah