Choosing a Bartending School
When choosing a bartending school, remember that you are considering
investing in an education and hopefully, a new full or part time career.
A quality bartending school will have professional offices and reception
areas for business purposes and classrooms that are setup just like a bar or
cocktail lounge. These classrooms should include all of the latest equipment
such as; Ice machines and cocktail units, three compartment bar sinks, soda
gun dispensers, blenders and professional glassware.
An education and career should never be purchased sight unseen, over the phone. If a school pressures you to sign up or give a credit card over the phone without ever seeing their facility, you should be wary and cautious.
It is our suggestion that before you make the decision to attend bartending
school or pay over the phone, that you take the time to tour the school in
person. Meet the staff and assess their professionalism and knowledge of our
industry.
Ask to see the training manuals and judge their quality and construction. The
days of using poor quality photo-copied materials are long gone. The school
should use a professionally printed and bound textbook.
Ask the staff to see an actual class in session if possible or at least walk
through the classroom. The classroom should be clean, neat and look like a real
bar. If the school has spent quite a bit of money on the classroom, you can
usually depend on them being serious about the quality of their training.
Many of the bottom of our industry simply throw up ply wood bars and linoleum or
painted wood bar tops. They will use plastic bins instead of stainless steel 3
compartment bar sinks. You'll probably never work behind a bar like that!
Just like any other purchase that costs a few hundred dollars or more, you
should check out the school in person and then make your decision. Tuition at a
licensed school is set at a current rate and will never offer "specials" or
"deals"! Have you ever heard of Harvard or a state college running a "special"?
In summary, take the time to check out any schools in your city and choose the
one that impresses you with their quality the most. Cheapest is never the best!
If you save one or two hundred dollars by attending a cheaper school and never
get a bartending job, your money has not been well spent!
Online Bartending School
If you live in an area where no bartending school is available, taking an
online bartending course is an option for those who are quick learners or have
some experience in another position in a bar.
Training and education is the same for all fields. The more you
have, the greater your chances to succeed. In summary, go to a quality,
state-licensed bartending school if you can. If not, try the online bartending
school above. For $49.88 it's a bargain!
Their course allows you to experience the basics, the methods, the rules and the
various recipes of successful bartending. View the high definition video clips
and complete the interactive quizzes. Six fun chapters help give you a basic
understanding of how to make cocktails for fun or profit!
