Never underestimate the relationship between bartenders and the party goers they serve.

Travis Alldredge, a 31-year-old bartender at T.G.I. Friday’s in Columbus, knows the dynamic.

“We have many different hats that we have to wear. We’re the listening ear, the consoler, the advisor, the joke teller,” said Alldredge, who has been bartending for about 10 years.

You might forget about those traits when Alldredge is tossing bottles in the air, demonstrating some of the tricks he’ll showcase at Wednesday’s bartending competition. This will be his fourth contest at the local restaurant.

Alldredge has high expectations. Last year, he advanced to the restaurant chain’s southeast divisional contest and placed fourth. Ask to see something cool and he’ll showcase all sorts of bottle spins and tosses.

But make no mistake: Personality matters, too.

“You’ve got to have a good personality to be a good bartender. Nobody wants a dull bartender,” Alldredge said.

Personality is a factor in the T.G.I. Friday’s competition on Wednesday, which is open to the public.

Six bartenders from the restaurant will compete in the event, a fundraiser for Feeding America. It’s a new charity for the local contest, now in its sixth year.

“It makes sense for us in the food industry to really help out an organization that feeds the hungry,” said Pat Gostkowski, general manager for the local restaurant.

Wednesday’s event is part of a company-wide contest that culminates with the World Bartender Championship in Dallas in March 2012.

“I’m very, very proud of all the work and energy that our bartenders put into it,” Gostkowski said of the Columbus contest. “They get to showcase their talent and their skill.”

Bartenders compete at local, regional and divisional levels. Prior to Wednesday, local competitors will be tested on everything from uniforms to menu selections.

“They’re really minute details,” said Patrick Dunn, 25, a T.G.I. Friday’s bartender. He’s been bartending for about three years, but this is his first T.G.I. Friday’s competition.

“When I step out there, it’s going to be a blast,” Dunn said.

Despite the social atmosphere, Dunn maintains bartending isn’t too different from other professions.

“As much fun as we have, it’s still a job. It’s a job just like anywhere else,” he said.

And occasional injuries are all in a day’s work.

“I think every bartender’s had an injury while bartending,” Dunn said. “I haven’t lost any limbs yet.”

Sonya Sorich, reporter, can be reached at ssorich@ledger-enquirer.com or 706-571-8516.