Bartending school - is it really necessary?

Question

I want to become a bartender to supplement my income, is it really necessary to complete a course?

Answer 1

No!
Don't waste your money.
Get a job in a bar as a back and learn on the job.
None of the good bars hire bartenders anyway. They always promote from within.

Answer 2

I would recommend it. Mainly, it will help you from looking like a fool if you're not familiar with certain beverages that are currently hot. Also, some bars will pay someone more who's been to a school because it helps with some of their liquor liability issues. Bartending school is more than just figuring out how to make a cosmopolitan or a tan and black. It involves knowing the laws regarding public intoxication and what the establishment needs to do in those situations.

It doesn't take that long and it will help you immensely. If you're just pulling drafts and don't expect to be doing anything more than that, then you're good. No need to do the school. If you expect to do something more with this career, go to school.

Answer 3

No, it's helpful but if you can teach yourself, more power to you. It's really easy stuff, just memorize the drinks and ingredients. the more you know, the faster you will make them, the better tips you will have, the better bartender you will be, the better places you can work for because you are a better bartender, and of course the better the place, the higher the tip. Its really mostly experience. Start as a server first, most places wont allow you to be a bartender with no waiting experience. but it only takes a few months to advance.

Answer 4

It is helpful, but not completely necessary. In any case, it helps if you have prior restaurant or food service experience. And if you have connections to help you get a job, it will be easier to find one if you know people who can put in a good word for you. If you don't, bartending school is pretty important. They usually have job placement (don't pick one that doesn't!) I completed bartending school at National Bartending School ( I think that's what it was called, its a nationwide chain, I think)... did the one here in Los Angeles many years ago & found it to be kind of expensive, but worth the money as it helped me land several jobs. Good luck.

Answer 5

No, get a drink book and learn the popular drinks. You may start in a slower place and learn as you go. Do not pick a fast track place if you are inexperienced but do pick a place that serves good mixed drinks so you get practice before you have to be fast. I used to visit different restaurants and steal the house drinks so I had some different things to offer. It was fun to figure out how they made them. Go watch a couple few bartenders to pick up technique and then apply for that job. It can be a lot of fun and you can meet a lot of people. Watch the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise. It will give you something to shoot for. . .

Answer 6

It really depends upon where you are at and what the law requires there.

In Chicago, IL bartenders are required to be certified. that can happen a couple of different ways--you can take a class at one of the schools; you can train on the job and the manager or owner of the bar certifies to the city that you have completed the set number of hours of training.

In Iowa the only requirement of a bartender is that they pass a criminal back ground check.

Best of luch to you!!!

Answer 7

NO !!!!! that is a real stupid way to lose your cash a real way to do it like i did is get and read the book
Bartening for Dummies (hope i spelled it right)
it really helps and it's cheaper then that stupid class.

Answer 8

no. study the basics and you'll learn as you go. pay attention to your customers needs and the tips will come.