Britney Wants Job As a Bartender? Huh?!

A court-ordered-sober Britney Spears applied for a new job on Thursday as a ... wait for it ... bartender!!

Sources inside the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. tell TMZ Brit checked in Thursday and at around 10:30 PM went downstairs and started talking with a bartender.

We're told Spears told the bartender she wanted to do what she did -- then asked for and obtained an application from the night manager to work in the hotel's "Cameo Bar."

We're told the application is currently with Human Resources. The hotel website says the bar "serves imported and California wines, premium well drinks and appetizers ... signature drinks include Blood Orange, Key Lime and Raspberry Lemon Drop martinis."

This might be the worst possible gig for a mother trying to regain custody of her children, who is required to undergo drug and alcohol testing.

Spears checked out the next morning. No word yet if the hotel is considering hiring Brit Brit to pour their booze.