What is a SKIMPY BARMAID? – Skimpy Training

👙 WHAT IS A SKIMPY BARMAID?

A skimpy barmaid in Western Australia is essentially a bartender who doubles as an entertainer. She serves drinks at pubs or events while dressed in revealing attire, think lingerie or bikinis. All while bringing a fun, flirty energy to the venue.
The term “skimpy” comes from the skimpy clothing worn on the job.

Unlike a regular bartender, a skimpy’s role isn’t just to pour beers. She’s there to help boost sales for the venue by keeping customers around longer. Using charm, cheeky banter, and playful entertainment while dressed in a sexy outfit. If all goes well, she’ll walk away with some solid tips too.

There’s also a serious side to the skimpy role, especially in mining towns. Skimpies provide much-needed light entertainment at the end of long shifts, in places where many workers are far from home, family, and their usual social lives. We’re not saying skimpies replace any of those things, but they do offer a welcome distraction and sometimes, a bit of connection to the outside world.

🏘️ The Role & Purpose in Venues

Why do venues hire skimpies? Simple, to attract customers and keep them coming back. It’s an old pub tradition in WA (especially in mining towns) that adds a bit of fun and spice to a night out. Pubs will advertise “skimpy nights” because they know some punters will choose that venue specifically for the eye-catching barmaid and the playful vibe she brings.

In a tough economy, or in remote areas where entertainment options are limited, a skimpy is what you’d call an “ancillary entertainment service”. She helps a pub stand out and draws in the after-work crowd.

Picture a group of workers finishing a 12-hour shift. They walk into the pub and are greeted by a friendly girl in a sexy lingerie set, serving beers with a smile and a cheeky joke. It can really make their day

Skimpies offer more than just eye candy. They provide light-hearted entertainment and a bit of social connection, especially in places where people are far from home.

Everyone wins:

The venue gets more patrons who stay longer and spend more
The customers get a fun, memorable night out
The skimpy, get paid to socialise with the chance to make great tips while you’re at it. If that idea makes you smile, keep reading, you’re in the right place.

💃 Typical Dress Code

Typical Dress Code: Lingerie, Bikinis and Topless Work.

One thing every aspiring skimpy needs to know is what you’ll actually be wearing on shift. The dress code is right there in the name: Skimpy.

On a typical night, you might start in a themed costume or cute outfit, think naughty nurse, cheeky schoolgirl, or something fun and flirty, and then strip down to lingerie or a bikini as the shift goes on. Most skimpies wear matching bra and panty sets, corsets, tiny hotpants, or a bikini top and bottoms. It's sexy, playful, and always venue-appropriate (every pub has its own style and expectations).

Some shifts may include what’s called a jug run, where skimpies change into something skimpier mid-shift in exchange for tips. (We’ll go over how that works in its own section.)

Important:

99% of shifts are in skimpy attire only. Most venues do not have the licensing requirements for topless shifts. If a venue is licensed and offers topless, it will be clearly marked when the shift is offered. You will never be made to take a topless shift, it’s entirely your choice.

Topless Work –
Topless shifts in WA are rare and highly regulated. If a venue is approved for topless skimpies, it’s done within tight legal boundaries (we’ll cover the licensing and legal side in another section). You never go fully nude in a skimpy gig, ever. Some girls choose to do topless shifts, some don’t do it at all. You decide what you're comfortable with, and we respect that.

At the end of the day, skimpy work is about confidence. Whether you’re in a neon bikini or a lacy set with boots, own it. If you feel good in what you’re wearing, the crowd will feel it too, and that energy is what makes you memorable.

✨ What Makes a Great Skimpy?

You might be wondering what it takes to really succeed as a skimpy barmaid. The good news? You don’t need to look like a supermodel. In fact, many first-timers are relieved to learn you don’t need big boobs or a “perfect” body to do well in this job. Some girls assume they won’t get hired without an hourglass figure , but that’s a myth.

Being a great skimpy is more about having a likeable, outgoing personality, a well-styled and clean presentation, and a solid work ethic. In other words, attitude matters more than cup size.

Here are the top qualities and habits that make a skimpy stand out:

Confidence

A great skimpy is comfortable in her own skin. You’ll be wearing very little and all eyes might be on you, so you need to own it. Confidence is sexy! Even if you’ve got butterflies at first, you’ll learn to flip the switch and get into “character”. That bold, cheeky alter-ego who can work the room with a wink and a smile. Over time, this job can even boost your everyday confidence. If you act like you’re 100% proud and happy to be there in lingerie, the crowd will feed off that energy.

Outgoing, Cheeky Personality

This is a people's job. The best skimpies are chatty, playful, and quick with a joke or flirty comment. You don’t need to be a comedian, but you do need to genuinely enjoy talking to people from all walks of life. A skimpy who laughs, teases (within limits), and remembers customers’ names or favourite drinks will build a loyal following. If the bar allows mingling, that’s where you really shine. A good sense of humour and a bit of cheek (cheeky one-liners, playful banter) go a long way. If you can make people feel seen and special, you’re golden.

Professionalism & Work Ethic

It might be a fun job, but it is still a job. Reliability, punctuality, and effort will get you rebooked more than just a pretty face. Being professional means following venue rules, respecting boundaries (yours and the customer’s), and working with the venue staff. Building a good rep with pub managers, staff, and security is key.

Simple things like showing up on time, being prepared (outfits, makeup, RSA, etc.), and lending a hand when it’s busy (yes, sometimes you might pour extra beers or clear a few glasses) show you take the gig seriously. A good skimpy also handles uncomfortable moments gracefully, if a customer gets rude or handsy (it happens), don’t blow up. Set firm boundaries or get help from staff. Confidence + class will get you through most situations.

Presentation & Style

This job is about visual impact and personality. Taking care of your appearance, in a way that suits you , is part of the role. You don’t need to look like a swimsuit model, but you should be well-groomed and lean into your own sexy style.

Successful skimpies put thought into their outfits (including themes, accessories, hair, and makeup). It’s about presenting the best version of yourself. Whether your look is “tattooed alt girl in fishnets” or bubbly blonde in a pink bikini,” own it. Clean and well-styled presentation is a must. It shows the crowd (and the venue) that you care about how you show up.

Hot Tip

Build a wardrobe of varied outfits (bikinis, lingerie, costumes for theme nights) and know what works for your body. And it should go without saying, good hygiene (fresh breath, deodorant, clean clothes) is non-negotiable. You’ll be up close with people.

Energetic Hustle

Being a skimpy is a high-energy, performance-based gig. The more effort and fun you bring, the more you’ll earn, in tips and future bookings.

Great skimpies don’t sit back and wait, they encourage tips in fun ways. That might mean doing a jug run with a big grin, running bar games or challenges, or even showing off a party trick (maybe you’ve got a mean worm dance, or can pour a beer with no hands, whatever works).

You also need to read the room:

- Rowdy Friday night crowd? Bring the banter and energy.
- Quiet Thursday shift? Keep it more chill and chatty.

Treat every shift like a performance. You might be pouring beers in a bra, but it’s the cheeky chat, good vibes, and hustle that’ll get you rebooked.

Thick Skin and a Positive Attitude

Let’s be real, it’s not all glam. You might cop the odd rude comment or deal with someone who’s had too many. A great skimpy doesn’t let it ruin her night. You’ll need a bit of a thick skin and the ability to bounce back with confidence and positivity.

Often, killing rudeness with kindness (or a sharp-but-funny comeback) shuts it down quick. Most customers are there to have fun with you, not cause drama. Focus on the good interactions – they’ll outweigh the bad.

Plenty of girls say they love this job because it lets them spread joy in places that are otherwise a bit dull or repetitive. And if you keep that mindset, you’ll thrive, even on the tougher nights.

🎭 The General Vibe: good bar skills, Social, Performance-Based, Tip-Fuelled

At its heart, skimpy barmaid work is a social performance. It’s where hospitality meets showmanship. Picture the vibe: music playing, people laughing, drinks flowing, and you’re in the centre of it, chatting and flirting as you pour pints. It’s a bit like being a mini celebrity in the venue for the night, the one everyone’s excited to see.

You’ll often get regulars who come back on your nights, purely because they enjoy your company and antics. The job is interactive from start to finish: one minute you’re pulling beers, the next you’re on the mic announcing the meat raffle (in your bikini), or wandering around the pool tables mingling and lifting the mood. The more fun you have with it, the more the crowd will too.

Your Pay is Performance-Based

Yes, you’re paid an hourly rate, but the real earn-as-you-go buzz comes from customer tips. It’s not unusual for a happy punter to throw $50 or $100 into your jug for great service or buy you a drink (usually just a gesture, you won’t be smashing beers behind the bar, it might be a Red Bull or nothing at all).

Jug runs and special occasions can take this even further, when the energy is up, tips flow. And that’s where you’ve got control: the more effort, fun, and hustle you put in (without being pushy), the more you walk away with. Some nights might be quiet, others might be wild, but the girls who treat it like a bit of a game or a challenge are the ones who rake it in. Many skimpies find this addictive (in a good way). It rewards creativity, confidence, and that smart hustle mindset.

A Real Life Example:

It’s Friday night in a country pub two hours out of Perth. You’ve been booked for a big event. You step behind the bar in a sparkly emerald-green bikini top, denim booty shorts, and cowboy boots, flashing a confident smile.

The after-work crowd starts trickling in. You chat with a couple of locals, make them laugh about getting lost on the way there, the ice is broken.

As the night kicks off, you’re in your element. Pouring pints, cracking jokes about someone’s footy team always losing (to the roar of his mates), and twirling to show off your shamrock earrings that match your outfit. Tips start landing in your jug without you even asking.

One punter challenges you to an arm-wrestle for a $20 tip. You ham it up, lose dramatically, and the whole pub cheers. By 9pm, it’s jug run time. With a grin, you strut around table to table, collecting tips. Once the jug’s full, you duck out the back and change into a much smaller bikini top and bottom (cue whistles and applause).

You finish the next hour like that, still behind the bar, still chatting, still pouring drinks like it’s second nature. The atmosphere is electric. Customers are respectful, the crowd’s happy, and the venue manager is stoked. By the end of the night, you’ve made a stack of tips and have five different groups asking when you’re coming back.

That’s the skimpy life: part bartender, part entertainer, part local legend. If you bring the right mix of cheekiness, professionalism, and hustle, it’s not only profitable, it’s an absolute blast.

In Summary:

A skimpy barmaid is so much more than just a girl in a bikini pouring drinks. She’s the life of the party, the host, the energy in the room. It’s about creating a fun, sexy-but-respectful environment where everyone feels welcome and entertained.

It’s social. It’s performance-based. It rewards energy, personality, and confidence with real money in your tip jar. If you’ve got a bit of daring, a chatty nature, and a solid work ethic, skimpy work can be an empowering and profitable adventure.

Now that you know what a skimpy barmaid really is, if you’re feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, you’re already on the right track.

Welcome to the skimpy world.