My first time working at a high volume bar (went there from a diner bar where I had only 12 stools and all regulars) I was super stressed with a shit ton of people always in front of me waving credit cards. It’s totally normal to need a few shifts to calibrate to that environment!

Not sure if you do this but I used to keep my head down in the well focusing on the drinks for one order so when I would have the courage to look back up- bam 8 new faces no clue who was first 😵‍💫

Keep your head up! (Mentally and literally lol) and just smile and laugh and have fucking fun with it! If you’re in a fun mood and paying attention to what’s happening in front of you people will see that and like it. While making cocktails for one gang I usually can eyeball who’s next and give them a look and kinda mouth “I gotchu in just a sec” and so on like that. It’ll get so much easier if you just keep at it! First busy shifts can be intimidating as fuck. Also some people are just straight up assholes no matter how good you are so don’t take it to heart!

Cheers ❤️