Bartending can be a lucrative and enjoyable profession in the right city, but in others, the challenges outweigh the benefits. Factors such as low wages, high crime rates, poor job availability, and subpar workplace conditions make some locations particularly unfavorable for bartenders.
Here are the 10 worst cities to be a bartender in the USA, based on a combination of these factors.
1. Detroit, Michigan

- Average Salary: $25,000 per year
- Crime Rate: High
- Job Availability: Limited
- Workplace Conditions: Many bars struggle financially, leading to unstable employment and poor working environments.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 34 years
- Nightlife Summary: Limited high-end options; many dive bars and struggling venues.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: The Rusty Tap, a venue notorious for safety concerns and poor customer service.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Ann Arbor, MI; Toledo, OH
2. Memphis, Tennessee

- Average Salary: $26,500 per year
- Crime Rate: Very High
- Job Availability: Moderate but concentrated in high-crime areas
- Workplace Conditions: High-stress environment due to safety concerns.
- These cities face socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, crime, and limited economic opportunities, which can impact the nightlife scene and overall quality of life for residents.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 32 years
- Nightlife Summary: A mix of music-centric bars and lower-end venues with high turnover.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: Blues Hole, known for frequent fights and management issues.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Nashville, TN; Little Rock, AR
3. Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston hasn’t always had the best reputation in Maine. The city has a high crime rate in a relatively safe state. Lewiston has always been a working-class town. However, decades of industrial decay has made the town center reminiscent of a rust-belt city. Empty store fronts and vacant office buildings have pervaded throughout the city. In 2023, a mass shooting took place in one of the nightlife spots, a bowling alley. Wages in Lewiston also aren’t that great. The city ranks as one the lowest in Southern Maine.
- Average Salary The median household income in Lewiston, Maine, is approximately $47,000 per year.
- Crime Rate Lewiston’s crime rate is lower than the national average. While it has experienced some crime, particularly property crime, it is generally considered safer than many larger cities in the United States.
- Average Age: The average age in Lewiston is approximately 40 years old.
- Nightlife: Lewiston offers some centered around its downtown area, but the bars are limited. Head to Portland for a better nightlife scene.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Portland OId Port, ME
4. Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a sleepy town known for it’s horses and country lifestyle. The sprawling city may have a population of 63,600 but the nightlife just doesn’t keep up. The median age is only 37.7 years, but the Bartenders would do better in the competitive city of Miami, or even better in Tampa Bay.
- Median Household Income: The median household income in Ocala, Florida, is approximately $38,000 per year.
- Crime Rate: Ocala’s crime rate is higher than the national average, particularly for property crime. However, it’s important to note that crime rates can vary within different neighborhoods of the city.
- Average Age: The average age in Ocala is approximately 39 years old.
- Nightlife: Ocala does have the same level of nightlife as larger cities in Florida, such as Miami or Orlando. A bartender will not find lively nightclubs here. The nightlife is more centered around the restaurant scene.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Tampa Fl, Orlando FL, Gainesville FL
5. St. Louis, Missouri
- Average Salary: $25,500 per year
- Crime Rate: Very High
- Job Availability: Moderate but mainly in unsafe neighborhoods
- Workplace Conditions: High turnover due to safety and economic challenges.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 33 years
- Nightlife Summary: Predominantly dive bars; limited high-end venues.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: Gateway Grill, frequently cited for poor working conditions.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Kansas City, MO; Springfield, IL
6. Birmingham, Alabama

- Average Salary: $24,500 per year
- Crime Rate: High
- Job Availability: Low
- Workplace Conditions: Few opportunities in upscale venues, leading to lower tips and unstable employment.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 36 years
- Nightlife Summary: Sparse nightlife with a focus on sports bars and casual pubs.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: Iron Bar, criticized for rude management and unclean conditions.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Atlanta, GA; Huntsville, AL
7. Stockton, California
- Average Salary: $26,000 per year
- Crime Rate: High
- Job Availability: Limited due to competition and economic struggles
- Workplace Conditions: Challenging due to a lack of resources and lower foot traffic.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 34 years
- Nightlife Summary: Minimal options; few venues cater to diverse crowds.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: The Broken Barrel, notorious for aggressive patrons.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Sacramento, CA
8. Baltimore, Maryland

- Average Salary: $27,500 per year
- Crime Rate: Very High
- Job Availability: Moderate
- Workplace Conditions: Many bars face high security costs, creating a stressful work environment.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 31 years
- Nightlife Summary: Active but risky; high crime impacts the bar scene.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: The Harbor Hole, known for frequent robberies.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Washington, DC; Annapolis, MD
9. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Average Salary: $25,800 per year
- Crime Rate: High
- Job Availability: Low
- Workplace Conditions: Many venues face financial instability, limiting opportunities for tips and growth.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 33 years
- Nightlife Summary: Scattered venues with inconsistent quality and limited diversity.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: Cactus Corner, infamous for its hostile work environment.
- Better Nearby Cities to Consider: Santa Fe, NM; El Paso, TX
10. Fresno, California

- Average Salary: $25,700 per year
- Crime Rate: Moderate to High
- Job Availability: Limited
- Workplace Conditions: Lack of vibrant nightlife reduces opportunities for bartenders.
- Average Age of Bartenders: 34 years
- Nightlife Summary: Few standout options; primarily small, local establishments.
- Notable “Horrible Bars”: The Dusty Pint, plagued by unsanitary conditions.
- Nearby Cities to Consider: San Jose, CA
Conclusion
While bartending can offer flexibility and good earning potential in the right environment, these cities present significant challenges. Aspiring bartenders should consider these factors when choosing where to work and aim for cities with safer environments, better pay, and more opportunities.