So whatever you do, don't assume that bartending school will transform you into an amazing bartender. Stay humble and be willing to work your way up. With all that being said, bartending classes aren't a complete waste of time and money. In fact, if you're going for the right reasons, they're absolutely worth it.
The most common advice you'll hear from actual bartenders is that you should start out as a barback if you want learn how to be a bartender. The barback position requires no experience, only a willingness to work hard.
If you put your all into it, bartending school can be done in as little as two weeks. If you need to space out your classes, you have up to one year to complete the course.
On average, bartenders probably do 10-12hr shifts, sometimes with no break. There are hours of prep work, hours of clean-up, and hours of catering to the demands of people who have no concept of a bartender's actual hours.
The bartending license is the only requirement. While it may be difficult to convince an owner to give you a bartending job without experience — and while it may be more stressful to learn to bartend without having worked in hospitality — it is certainly possible.
While it's true that it's a social job with a lot of fun aspects, it's also hard work, both mentally and physically. Seriously. You'll be on your feet all day, you'll be dealing with a lot of people who all want your attention, and you'll constantly be on the go. When bars get busy, bartending becomes stressful.
19,530 USD (2015)Bartender / Median pay (annual)
Bartender Resource: 20 Tips To Help You Get A Bar Job Without ExperienceFirst and foremost: have a positive attitude. ... Have an awesome resume. ... Have glowing references.Get qualified. ... Dress the part.Hold yourself with confidence.Know the basics, and if you don't, do a bar course. ... Be prepared to volunteer.More items...
Bartender Job Description for a ResumeMixed and served beverages to 2000+ weekly customers.Ensured a clean working environment for customers as well as other employees.Performed all end of day duties including tallying up and verifying all cash and credit card transactions.Successfully trained all new bar staff.
Yes, bartenders can make $100K. Most bartenders making this money find themselves in high-event areas such as casinos or staff at large event halls and nightclubs. Bartenders in high-end restaurants and bars may also see an increase in their pay, as these are highly desirable areas for bartenders.
Do Bartenders Make Good Money? Yes, bartenders do make good money, especially when tips are involved. In 2019, the median income in the US was $31,100. Though this is about $5,000 higher than the median bartender salary, that's not including tips.
It's the same thing for bartenders, except they generally make a higher wage, usually $2-$3.00 per hour more than servers do.
Bartender Resource: 20 Tips To Help You Get A Bar Job Without ExperienceFirst and foremost: have a positive attitude. ... Have an awesome resume. ... Have glowing references.Get qualified. ... Dress the part.Hold yourself with confidence.Know the basics, and if you don't, do a bar course. ... Be prepared to volunteer.More items...
Bartending Tips For BeginnersThere is always more to do behind the bar. ... Glass Will Break, Drinks Will Spill. ... Keep the Bar Clean. ... Know How to Pour Alcohol. ... Be an expert of drink recipes. ... Be a professional. ... Know How to Talk to Your Customers, but Keep your conversations short. ... Stay out of the way of other bartenders.
25+ Bartender Skills for ResumesPopular Beverage Recipes.Food & Wine Pairing.Providing Beverage Suggestions.Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards.Health & Hygiene Protocols.Maintaining Tidy & Sanitary Bar Area.Ability to Defuse Tense Situations.More items...•
A barback is essentially someone who “backs-up” or supports the bar and bartender(s). A barback is a bartender's assistant helping to ensure smooth work flow at the bar so that drinks can be rolled out quickly, forming a team that gives the best experience to the guests.
If you need to space out your classes, you have up to one year to complete the course. The amount of time it takes to finish bartending school is completely up to the individual student. You are free to schedule classes around work, childcare, and other schooling- the sky is the limit with National Bartending School!
The state of California requires 40 hours of class curriculum to obtain your bartending license. These 40 hours are broken down into two hour classes, each one covering one of ten chapters. Every class is divided into two parts; one hour of lecture and one hour of lab time behind the bar. Our mock bar has room for several students to work at a time, so space is always available and class size is never an issue. In order to be eligible for testing, students must attend at least one class for every chapter in the textbook. The school offers classes six days per week, up to three times per day. Most campuses are closed Sundays.
Flexible schedules are always available at National Bartending School. Earning a bartending license in as little as two weeks is possible when attending full time. Many of our campuses offer classes three times a day Monday through Friday, and two classes on Saturday. You can complete your classes and testing in under two weeks at a campus like this, if you attend every day. Earning your certification doesn’t take long if you’re dedicated to full time attendance!
Lab hours count towards your overall class time. You can also schedule practice tests during this time. It is wise to take advantage of extra practice time, to help prepare you for the practical exam, and employment in a bar..
There are many different schooling options, but the cost of a bartending certification ranges between $200 to $800 for a 40-hour program. If you're already working as a barback, earning your certification can give you the skills you need to advance in your career. Rather than cleaning glassware, fetching bottles from the cellar, and loading kegs, you can make drinks and earn tips, too.
Most states don't require any formal education or training to be a bartender. The most basic requirement is being over the legal drinking age of 21. Beyond that, the requirements will vary from location and employer. For example, a small, family-owned joint won't likely require as much knowledge and experience as a high-end lounge in a luxury hotel.
Good bartenders make or break a bar's image. If the drinks are bad, it doesn't matter how good the place looks. People will spread the word that it's a bar to avoid, and the company will lose money solely by employing someone who can't mix decent drinks. Bartending school might seem like the best place to go and learn all the fundamentals ...
Even though certification isn't a hard requirement, it can still do you both personal and professional favors. It should ensure that you are passionate, hard-working, and dedicated to your career path. It also gives you background knowledge and skills that can help you find more job opportunities later on, especially if you start somewhere small to get a basic background and work your way up.
Bartending is more than just knowing recipes off the top of your head. It also includes physical labor, customer service, and time management that some people find overwhelming. But if you enjoy the atmosphere, like working with people and find crafting drinks an art form, going to school could be a worthy investment of your time and money.
Nation's largest private bartending school lends students 40 hours of bar-management skills, drink-pouring acumen & mixology certification
Good bartenders always have advice for their customers' problems, which is why it's best not to bartend in a particle-physics lab or in a prison. Hone your listening ear with today's Groupon: for $197, you get 40 hours of bartending classes at ABC Bartending School, in Fort Lauderdale (a $395 value).
Promotional value expires Jan 2, 2013. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person, may buy 1 additional as a gift. Limit 1 per visit. Reservation required. Subject to availability. Must be 18 or older with a valid ID. New students only. Classes are non-transferable.
The Sylvester family had bartending in its blood. Whether it was Uncle Mickey holding court with 40 years' worth of regulars or Tony Sr. mixing one of his signature Skip and Go Nakeds, they exemplified the easy grace and no-nonsense craftsmanship found in a true barman's barman.