With her music career in shambles, the insane, court-ordered sober Britney Spears applied for a new job Thursday as ... wait for it ... a bartender!

According to TMZ, sources inside the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., say Britney checked in Thursday and, at around 10:30 at night, went down (no, not on Howie Day) and started talking with a bartender.

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

We reiterate: The girl needs a whole team of psychologists, pronto.

Britney Spears' application is currently in the hands of Human Resources.

The website of the hotel says the bar "serves imported and California wines, premium drinks ... including Raspberry Lemon Drop martinis." Sexy.

This might be the worst possible gig for a mother required to undergo drug and alcohol tests if she wants to regain custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James, but then again, this is Britney Spears. Are you that surprised?

Somehow, we're not. Spears checked out the next morning. No word yet if the hotel is considering actually hiring Britney to pour their booze. If they do, we're wondering if Alli Sims will start waiting tables.