Question to Bartenders: Did you go to bartending school ?If so, would you reccommend it?

Question

Question to Bartenders: Did you go to bartending school ?If so, would you reccommend it?

Answer 1

I have been bartending in an Atlantic City, NJ casino for over 22 years. I did not go to bartending school, however, I did work as a barback for 1 year before being promoted to bartender.

A bartending school will teach a person how to make drinks and which glass to use. Barbacking gives a candidate experience while teaching the hoe to make drinks, how a bar operates, how bartenders interact with guests and wait staff and other subtleties that can not be taught by a school.

Get a a bar back job in a fine restaurant, busy club or hotel. The experience is invaluable.

Answer 2

My daughter went to bartending school. It cost $395 for 40 hours and she said it was well worth it. The school also gives the graduates job leads.

Answer 3

It depends where you live, I had no experience, been doing it for 12 years and now i like to hire people with no experience and train them in my way instead of someone coming in with an attitude.

Answer 4

i didn't go to school and been bartending 3 years now. i also have worked with ppl who have gone to school and honestly i prefer to train ppl with no experience. drinks change from bar to bar so hands on is the best way to go.

Answer 5

I've been bartending 6 years i started with no experience and its not as difficult as it looks most venues look for people with no experience so they can learn it there way and every venue has the own concept so it better to learn it hands on

Answer 6

I agree with the other two posters..alot of bars like ppl with no experience because they train you their way and Ive had a bartender tell me that there are somethings they teach u in bartending school that just gets in the way in a real bar setting

Answer 7

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.

Good Luck and Have Fun.