[vuhnan81]

Hi,

I'm thinking about moving to Vegas, but I have some serious reservations. I'm a 26-year old male bartender. I have seven years of bartending experience and a liberal arts degree. The degree isn't particularly relevant, but it's something to fall back on if I can't find work in the service industry. I'm currently in Austin, TX. I have also bartended in Burlington, VT and Palm Beach County, FL. Austin has an emerging cocktail scene, but I'd like to move to a bigger market for better opportunities, and Vegas is far cheaper than New York and San Francisco.

I have, however, heard that it's extremely tough to break into this market. I don't expect to get a job at Joel Rubuchon my first week in town, but I'm also not willing to barback my way into a mediocre drink-slinging position. I'm relocating to a bigger market to further my career as a professional bartender. Is it naive to consider Las Vegas a possibility?

Thanks in advance for any advice you're able to give.

[airics]

unless you know someone here... you barback! period! Granted you have experience, but its not Vegas experience... and a bartending job here is not easy to comeby at a good location

[vuhnan81]

That grim, huh? I responded to two craigslist ads last week and received a phone call for an interview from one. It was a very nice restaurant in one of the nicest casinos on the strip. Unfortunately they were looking to hire immediately, so I lost whatever chance I had. I'm sure they contacted others about the job, and it was certainly not a guarantee, but I was hoping that it was an indication that I might have some hope. Was it just dumb luck (or bad luck, depending on how you look at it)?

Does no one move to Vegas and find a decent bartending position? I should also establish that I'm not looking to bartend at a bumping nightclub or a trendy pool. I'd like to find a position at a respectable restaurant or cocktail bar.

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by vuhnan81

That grim, huh? I responded to two craigslist ads last week and received a phone call for an interview from one. It was a very nice restaurant in one of the nicest casinos on the strip. Unfortunately they were looking to hire immediately, so I lost whatever chance I had. I'm sure they contacted others about the job, and it was certainly not a guarantee, but I was hoping that it was an indication that I might have some hope. Was it just dumb luck (or bad luck, depending on how you look at it)?

Does no one move to Vegas and find a decent bartending position? I should also establish that I'm not looking to bartend at a bumping nightclub or a trendy pool. I'd like to find a position at a respectable restaurant or cocktail bar.

Airics is not in the same position as you though he understands the industry better than most. A degree and 7 year experience will bust you in. But you have already found out rule one. You got to live here. More senior positions you may get moved. But not at the start.

Move..find a job. Not that difficult...you just won't make much money and will have to settle for third tier. Than work the network. You will do fine.

And I suspect your timing is excellent. It is going up, slowly for the moment, but always get in at the bottom.

[vuhnan81]

I sort of expected conflicting advice. Thanks to both of you for your input.

Assuming I go through with it and I move to Vegas, where should I look to live? I don't have a lot of other expenses, but my employment status is very uncertain. My initial thought was something close to the strip. Safety and convenience are my two primary concerns. I am living alone, so I don't need a ton of space. I can't afford anything ridiculous, but I've noticed studio apartments in the luxury high-rises are relatively affordable, and the locations are unbeatable. They're definitely on the higher end of what I'm willing to pay, but I've heard Summerlin and Henderson can be tough commutes during rush hour. What do you think?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by vuhnan81

I sort of expected conflicting advice. Thanks to both of you for your input.

Assuming I go through with it and I move to Vegas, where should I look to live? I don't have a lot of other expenses, but my employment status is very uncertain. My initial thought was something close to the strip. Safety and convenience are my two primary concerns. I am living alone, so I don't need a ton of space. I can't afford anything ridiculous, but I've noticed studio apartments in the luxury high-rises are relatively affordable, and the locations are unbeatable. They're definitely on the higher end of what I'm willing to pay, but I've heard Summerlin and Henderson can be tough commutes during rush hour. What do you think?

What are you willing to pay? My apartments are less than 2 miles to the strip, very nice, safe, and cheap at under $500 a month, but you would have to drive everywhere as the area around it is bad.

[vuhnan81]

I'm willing to pay somewhere around a thousand per month. The cheaper the better, but as I said, I don't have many other expenses, so if I have to pay a bit more, it's not going to brake me (unless, of course, I can't find ANY work).

I don't mind driving everywhere. Less than 500/month and two miles from the strip sounds kind of amazing. You say the area is bad, however. Does this mean your community is gated?

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by vuhnan81

I'm willing to pay somewhere around a thousand per month. The cheaper the better, but as I said, I don't have many other expenses, so if I have to pay a bit more, it's not going to brake me (unless, of course, I can't find ANY work).

I don't mind driving everywhere. Less than 500/month and two miles from the strip sounds kind of amazing. You say the area is bad, however. Does this mean your community is gated?

My community is not gated, but I live right beside the police station so there are never any problems. I know I have posted this for others, but if you are willing to spend a grand a month, you definitely should move here.

The Meridian LV Apartments For Rent in Las Vegas, Nevada - Apartment Rental and Community Details - ForRent.com

[vuhnan81]

Thanks! I actually just emailed myself a link to a posting in that development right before I read this, so I'm glad to have some affirmation. Seems like a pretty sweet place.

[lvoc]

Nothing wrong with the Meridien. Nice place and convenient. But you likely will not end up working on or near the strip. So I would suggest you temporize to Budget suites or such and see where you end up working. When you have been there a few months move convenient to work and by then you will have a view of the town.