Bartender vs. Publican — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
A bartender is a person who mixes and serves drinks at a bar, while a publican owns or manages a pub or tavern.
Difference Between Bartender and Publican
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bartenders are primarily responsible for preparing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages directly to customers at bars, clubs, restaurants, and other venues. They must possess a deep knowledge of drink recipes, a flair for customer service, and the ability to manage the bar area efficiently. Publicans, on the other hand, are the proprietors or managers of pubs or taverns, overseeing not just the serving of drinks but the entire operation of the establishment, including staff management, financial operations, and compliance with licensing laws.
While bartenders often engage directly with patrons, crafting drinks to their preferences and ensuring a pleasant experience, publicans focus on the broader business aspects of running a pub. This includes hiring and training staff, which may include bartenders, ensuring the establishment is profitable and adheres to all legal and health standards. Whereas the bartender's role is confined to the bar area, a publican's responsibilities encompass the entire venue, from the kitchen to the front of the house.
Bartenders need to have excellent interpersonal skills to interact with a wide range of customers, handle busy periods with composure, and sometimes deal with difficult situations, such as refusing service to intoxicated patrons. Publicans, while also requiring good people skills, need a broader set of abilities, including business acumen, understanding of laws related to the hospitality industry, and the capacity to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for patrons and staff alike.
In terms of career path, bartending can be both a professional career and a stepping stone in the hospitality industry, with opportunities for advancement into management positions. For publicans, owning or managing a pub is often a career culmination that requires significant investment, either financially or in terms of experience within the hospitality sector.
The work environment for bartenders is usually the bar area within a variety of settings, including pubs, where they are part of the team led by the publican. Publicans, however, operate more behind the scenes, managing the business side of the pub and occasionally interacting with patrons to ensure their satisfaction with the establishment as a whole.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Mixes and serves drinks at a bar.
Owns or manages a pub or tavern.
Primary Role
Preparing and serving beverages.
Overseeing entire pub operations.
Skills Required
Drink mixing, customer service, multitasking.
Business management, legal knowledge, hospitality.
Responsibilities
Serve drinks, manage bar area, customer interaction.
Staff management, financial operations, maintain standards.
Work Environment
Bar area within various establishments.
Entire premises of a pub or tavern.
Compare with Definitions
Bartender
Drink expert.
The bartender impressed patrons with his knowledge of cocktail recipes.
Publican
Pub owner/manager.
The publican greeted regulars warmly, ensuring their pub felt like home.
Bartender
Multitasker.
The bartender managed multiple drink orders efficiently during the busy hours.
Publican
Hospitality focus.
The publican trained her staff to provide excellent service to all patrons.
Bartender
Service provider.
She works as a bartender, ensuring customers enjoy their visit.
Publican
Business operator.
As a publican, he was responsible for the pub's profitability and compliance with laws.
Bartender
Bar management.
The experienced bartender also took inventory and ordered supplies.
Publican
Community role.
The publican organized events to keep the local community engaged and entertained.
Bartender
Customer interaction.
Engaging with guests, the bartender added to the lively atmosphere of the bar.
Publican
Legal compliance.
Keeping the pub up to health and safety standards was a top priority for the publican.
Bartender
A bartender (also known as a barkeep, barman, barmaid, or a mixologist) is a person who formulates and serves alcoholic or soft drink beverages behind the bar, usually in a licensed establishment. Bartenders also usually maintain the supplies and inventory for the bar.
Publican
In antiquity, publicans (Greek τελώνης telōnēs (singular); Latin publicanus (singular); publicani (plural)) were public contractors, in whose official capacity they often supplied the Roman legions and military, managed the collection of port duties, and oversaw public building projects. In addition, they served as tax collectors for the Roman Republic (and later the Roman Empire), farming the taxes of the Roman provinces, and bidding on contracts (from the Senate in Rome) for the collection of various types of taxes.
Bartender
A person serving drinks at a bar.
Publican
Chiefly British The keeper of a public house or tavern.
Bartender
One who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar. Also called barkeeper.
Publican
A collector of public taxes or tolls in the ancient Roman Empire.
Bartender
One who tends a bar or pub; a person preparing and serving drinks at a bar. 19
Publican
A collector of taxes or tribute from the public.
Bartender
A barkeeper.
Publican
The landlord (manager or owner) of a pub]].
Bartender
An employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
Publican
The manager or owner of a hotel.
Publican
A tax collector, especially one working in Judea and Galilee during New Testament times (1st century {{C.E.}}) who was generally regarded as sinful for extorting more tax than was due, and as a traitor for serving the Roman Empire.
Publican
Any person who collects customs duties, taxes, tolls, or other forms of public revenue.
Publican
One regarded as extorting money from others by charging high prices.
Publican
(Christianity) A person excommunicated from the church; an excommunicant or excommunicate; also, a person who does not follow a Christian religion; a heathen, a pagan.
Publican
A farmer of the taxes and public revenues; hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior officers of this class were often oppressive in their exactions, and were regarded with great detestation.
As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
How like a fawning publican he looks!
Publican
The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to retail beer, spirits, or wine.
Publican
The keeper of a public house
Common Curiosities
Is experience in bartending required to become a publican?
While not strictly necessary, experience in bartending or the hospitality industry can provide valuable insights and skills for a publican.
What is the main difference between a bartender and a publican?
The main difference lies in their roles; bartenders focus on serving drinks, while publicans manage the overall operations of a pub.
Can a publican also serve as a bartender?
Yes, a publican can also serve drinks, especially in smaller establishments, but their primary role is to manage the pub.
What are the challenges faced by publicans?
Publicans face challenges such as maintaining profitability, adhering to strict regulations, and managing the competitive landscape of the hospitality industry.
What responsibilities does a publican have?
A publican is responsible for the business side of running a pub, including staff management, financial oversight, and ensuring legal compliance.
Do publicans need a specific license to operate a pub?
Yes, publicans typically need a license to operate a pub, which requires knowledge of legal and health standards.
What skills are essential for a bartender?
Key skills for a bartender include knowledge of drink recipes, customer service, and the ability to multitask during busy periods.
How does a bartender contribute to a pub's atmosphere?
A bartender contributes significantly to the pub's atmosphere through friendly interaction with patrons and skillful drink preparation.
How do bartenders advance in their career?
Bartenders can advance by taking on management roles, including becoming a bar manager or eventually a publican.
Can a bartender become a publican?
Yes, many bartenders progress in their careers to become publicans, using their experience in the industry as a foundation.
What makes a successful publican?
A successful publican combines hospitality skills with business acumen, creating a welcoming environment while ensuring the pub's success.
What are the legal responsibilities of a publican?
Publicans must ensure their establishment complies with licensing laws, health and safety regulations, and employment standards.
What role do publicans play in the community?
Publicans often play a significant role in their communities by providing a social gathering place and organizing events.
What challenges do bartenders face?
Bartenders face challenges such as dealing with difficult customers, working long hours, especially during busy periods, and maintaining a high level of service.
How important is customer service for a bartender?
Customer service is crucial for bartenders, as it directly affects patrons' experiences and satisfaction.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
