What did you think of the Portland Bartending School? Was it worth the money and did it help you get a job?

Question

What did you think of the Portland Bartending School? Was it worth the money and did it help you get a job?

Answer 1

WTF ? Who needs to go to school for that s**t ? Save your money its easy

Answer 2

When I was in NYC looking for bartending jobs, most places  would rather hire someone with no experience at all than someone who'd gone to bartending school. Many Craiglist ads would specify that they didn't want anyone who'd attended a bartending school to apply. So save your money. The best thing you can do is look for bars that will let you bartend if you bring in like 15-20 friends. They do this so you can practice making drinks at your friends request, so as to not drive of their regular clientele.

But if you are serious about it, then I'd suggest buying some very imformative bartending books, one's with the popular ones as well as new ones.  I like the Difford's Guide, it's a magazine that comes out 4-5 year, with all old cocktails and new ones..the mags are divided by the alphabet, but every drink has a rating, description, and there are even tips as to what types of bartending tools you need (i.e. muddler, paring knife, etc). They also have a book every year with all the drinks from the magazines, it may be a bit costly...but I'd be inclined to say that if may be the only book that you really need.

Answer 3

bartending school is NEVER worth the money. The best way to learn is by starting slowly and leaning through experience.