pros and cons of bartending school?

Question

not about the profession...about the school.

Answer 1

pros :
*you learn the ins and outs of the profession and the savoir faire for the really special stuff.
*you get something nice to start your resume if you want to start in swanky establishments
*you get to know some interesting people

cons:
*It is probably useful only if you want to work in an upscale establishment. Most of what you'll learn about all manners of unusual alcohol types and brands and cocktail mixing isn't likely to be useful in a basic neighborhood bar.

Answer 2

It depends on the job you are looking for - I used to be a bartender and I can tell you that I have never met anyone in the industry who actually went to bartending school - we all started out as waiters or waitresses, then became barbacks, and eventually bartenders. If you want to jump immediately into an upscale bar or the employer requires the school - go for it.

If you can get a job without going to the school and learn by experience, this is probably the best option - I say this because bartending school can be expensive and you won't learn (or remember) anything that you can't be taught in a few nights behind the bar - once you are taught the techniques and the basics about alcohol, you will develop a 'bank' of knowledge on how to make drinks (and unless you have a fantastic memory, you won't get this out of bartending school) - anyhow, just my $.02, if the price is right and you would be more comfortable in that type of learning environment (as opposed to the sink or swim method) then it might be worth more to you.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

There is no real bad reasons or issues with attending a school to learna nything, I was a chef for 20 yrs, I went back to do my Culinary Management course in 1987, 7 yrs after doing my apprenticeship and having been a sous chef in 3 operations already.

I was in school with people just out of high school and soemthat were changing profession, the only con maybe the tuition costs and the available jobs in your area, but a fully trained professional bartender is more of a hireable person that someone who has just been a beer slinger.

Answer 4

Pros:
You learn how to make all kinds of drinks.
You can earn some good tips
You can meet a lot of interesting/attractive people

Cons:
Losers will tell you their sob stories
You spend all night in a bar, usually breathing second hand smoke.
You can get crappy tips and go home with almost nothing.
You meet a lot of ugly rude and obnoxious people, who then proceed to get drunk and really start to shine!

Answer 5

u learn to get ppl f*cked up