Is bartender school worth it?

Question

Is bartender school worth it?

Answer 1

It is so worth going to school you will learn the serve safe laws how to proper pour and word clues to remember the drinks I just finish bar tending school

Answer 2

ask the bars you want to work at.

Answer 3

Bartending is more than looking up a drink in a book.  You need to multi task.  you need to take drink orders (many at a time)  make them and add prices up in your head.  Bartending school does not teach that.

Answer 4

just get a job in it......people order like the same 5 specialty drinks all the time so it's easy.....plus, BTs keep guides behind the bar if something their unfamiliar with comes up

Answer 5

You should attend any type of educational facility for a job you are interested in.  Bartender School will teach you the basics of mixing and you will be a better bartender than those who have to look recipes up in the book.  Any gained knowledge will benefit you always!  Be the best!

Answer 6

Get a job as a Bar Back, And you'll get paid to help the bartender and learn to mix drinks....

Answer 7

No.  I have hired many bartenders and going to school didn't help any of them.  They were completely unqualified to tend bar.  I would suggest studying basic recipes on your own and getting hired as a bar back.  You can gain experience and work your way up, while getting paid, not by paying someone else.

Answer 8

Generally speaking, no, not worth it.

There's a massive difference to what you learn at school, to what you learn actual working in a bar.

If you want to get your foot in the door for busy bar jobs, at a nightclub or busy bar, start off expressing your interest for jobs at slower bars, like at a suburb pub or restaurant bar. That way you can get some actual experience, and be able to move to somewhere with a bit more action later on.

Being good in hospitality is more about being confident and well presented, rather than having a certificate saying you know how to handle a bar-tap.

Answer 9

No

Answer 10

It depends. If you want to work at a local bar or nightclub, then no. They hire based on experience and charisma. Most of the time, you have to work your way up to being a bartender. If you want to bartend at private parties, executive functions, fancy hotels or a cruise line, then yes. You learn to make all sorts of exotic drinks and get a basic understanding of mixology etiquette.

Answer 11

Don't go to bartending school (i.e. don't waste the money) unless the job you are applying to requires such an endevour (usually only hotels and casinos ask for that kind of stuff)

Also, most states don't require a license either. Depending on what state you live in you need ot make sure of the age requirements (most states require that you are 21 years old and that's it, some want you to get a state license...etc...) Just check the laws for your state (go here: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/StateAn...

The most important thing that you should do is pick up the Bartender's Black Book (you can usually find it at a local package store, if not order it from Amazon). It has thousands of recipes, Plus all the basics, terms, and measurements you need to memorize immediately. Learning your pour count, knowing how to make a Long Island, a Martini, a Cosmo, how to tap a keg, etc...

Other than knowing how to pour drinks and serve drinks quickly, the main thing a bartender has to do is listen/talk to people. Make sure you are a people person. You have to love to listen too, especially to drunks. You also want to be up to date on local stuff (where the best entertainment spots are, the nearest hotel, the cab's number, etc...) You also need to have at least two jokes you can pull from memory. One dirty, and one you could tell your mother. Both have to be funny. Also be up to date on all sports scores, especially on local teams. Know who is playing who and at what time (make sure to have it on the TV too).

When starting out, it may be tough to get a job. The best thing to do is to apply to all the places that cycle through bartenders/barbacks a lot (like restaurants, hotel bars, etc...) Then find bars that you like personally and become somewhat of a regular at those places. Get to know the other bartenders, owners, managers, and then in a few months drop the line that you would be willing to work for them. Start out as a barback and work your way up. Most small bars are run like families anyway. You will have to know your fellow employees well. That is how I got my first two bartending jobs and eventually made it to bar manager.

Bartending is an extremely fun job. You will meet tons of people and hear lots of interesting stories. Plus you will know alcohol better than the back of your hand. I find it to be quite rewarding when it comes to the bank account too.

Have Fun and Good Luck!