Is some type of bartending school required to work at a bar as a bartender?

Question

I have looked a little online for some schools and online schools but what is better?

Answer 1

OK.... my honest opinion would be to skip the bartending classes! I have bartended for many years and I have seen the quality of bartender that comes from someone toting a bartending school diplomma.....its NOT impressive! Most of them are cocky because they think that they have gained a wealth of knowlegde from a book but none of them can perform and handle the day to day tasks of being a decent bartender. Plus most of the shoools that I have heard about are quite expensive! I learned at a restaurant that hired me. There are lots of restaurants out there that will train you how to mix drinks and be a bartender ..... but the qualities that make the best bartenders are personality, a good memory, attentiveness and multi-tasking. None of these qualities are what you will learn at a bartending school! Anyone can learn drink recipes over time... and you don't have to know all the drinks in the world! It really depends where you are bartending.... chances are you will make about 15 different drinks over and over. Each bar is a little different with what their customers drink and if you don't know how to make something.... then just ask the customer or look it up on the computer! You can make great money bartending ( $400 - $600 per nt.) and you dont need to be a some high end classy night club to do it either! Look for a restaurant/bar that has a good upper mid class clientele, has some live entertainment, stays open late and go in with your best "eager to learn" attitude and get hired!!! Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Getting into the bartending world with no experience is hard enough. Having a Mixology certificate helps just a little bit. Technically, you don't need it but I don't see many places giving you a job if you don't know how to do the job. Think of how many bars are out there, there are hundreds of bartenders they turn down every day asking for work. Not having experience is bad enough, not having any training either makes you even less appealing to a bar manager or owner. Take the class. I don't advise online. You need the actual hands on to associate all the recipes with. If not, it's just reading.

Answer 3

I know this is an old post and old answers but hopefully what I have to say will be helpful to someone still looking into finding answers. One bartending is NOT easy, pouring the drinks can be easy if you have 1 a jigger or 2 a flow stop pourer and if they ask for a basic drink (btw margarita is not just tequila and mix). You have to know how to pour a drink (the worst thing you can say it "i don't know how to make that") As for the advice to lie on a resume because no one checks is crap a smart bar owner/manager will check, so if you lie its in the trash and no job for you. Yes the best way to start is as a server because it will give you the experience with customers and different people. I have never been to or worked at a bar that has volunteers or has apprentice. And as for barbacking well a lot of that is fetching things washing dishes cleaning up messes not a lot to learn there. And getting a position at a bar is not as easy as people will lead you to believe. Experience is the best school there is. So if you think it will help you then its worth it.

Answer 4

Travel is a great observation method of learning, and gaining experience. Applied to mixology, and the mixologist, you can bet it works.New york draws the best, because of the many high powered transactions in and around good drinks. There is a great school in Philly, go to casinos, and watch how they do drinks, visit breweries, and distillers, to see how the product you would sell, is made. Hang out at busy bars, where drinks are constantly mixed. The NY port authority bar is one, any airport bar, as flights are arriving, and departing. In lulls of bar demands, most bar tenders are trained to be friendly, and would welcome the opportunity to talk shop. Learn how to drink, and then how to stop, when you have to to go on duty, but then some owners permit some responcible drinking with customers. caution to get a woman, that hangs around the bar a buzz, they are pro's and you will regret what's in your wallet!

Answer 5

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A BARtender it might help if you knew what you were doing. there are bartending schools in most citys both in canada and usa i would imagine they have them in uk too