Anyone know anything about...

[suckerdin]

ABC Bartending school?

I'm thinking about trying to go this summer. I don't know the first thing about bartending but I know some money can be made there and I figured since I'm in college, why not? And I might even do it during grad school. (if I decide to go)

Any insight would be good. TIA

[talisman]

Lmao, I went there when I was young and dumb. Do NOT waste your time and more importantly money. The best thing to do is just go get on as a barback somewhere and learn it, then move your way up. Most places won't even look at you if you tell them you went there.

[Sergio]

IMHO you'd be better off just going to work at a bar. theres really nothing a bartending "school" will teach you that you wouldn't pick up on your own.

[motoman]

ABC Bartending school?

I'm thinking about trying to go this summer. I don't know the first thing about bartending but I know some money can be made there and I figured since I'm in college, why not? And I might even do it during grad school. (if I decide to go)

Any insight would be good. TIA

I went a couple years back before I started bartending and it's a pretty good school if you've never worked in the service industry. I went from the 8-5 class that goes for 2 weeks straight. I already had service industry experience but lacked the bar skills. Taught me a lot about making drinks, running a bar, and managing your time. Not sure if he's still the instructor but a guy named Mark was there when I attended. Mark is a great guy and will go to great lengths to help you find a job. The cool thing about the school is that even after you go through it you're welcome back to the classes as a refresher, or even back to use the bar at the school for practice for as long as they're open. They have a little booklet they train you through but most of your training is done behind a working bar, which imo is most helpful. You can read about drink recipes all you want but when it comes down to it the hands on experience with taking multiple drink orders and making them will benfit you most. Best place to start is going to be as a bar back somewhere.

EDIT: For those who say they went and never got a job after that... well I can't tell you what they did wrong. I got a full time bartending gig out of it as well as multiple side gigs. Some were just popping bottle and some were private parties serving a full bar, either way money is money.

[Moose242]

Had a friend who went there 3 or so years back. He never got a job as a bartender.

[racegirl]

ABC Bartending school?

I'm thinking about trying to go this summer. I don't know the first thing about bartending but I know some money can be made there and I figured since I'm in college, why not? And I might even do it during grad school. (if I decide to go)

Any insight would be good. TIA

I've heard it's fun, but realistically a waste. Most service industry employers are looking for experience gained hands-on. Work in most any restaurant or bar in any capacity and you'll inherently pick it up! Mixing the drinks is usually the easiest part of bar tending

[JC316]

Had a friend that went there, she never used it. Most bars said that is was BS and they train their people anyway.

[suckerdin]

Well I've never worked in the service industry so I figured this might be an instant foot in the door.

I'm assuming this is the same story for all bartending "schools"? It's mostly down to real world experience?

[Sergio]

Most bars train their people anyway.

this.

[Slow Five-O]

Worked at a Chilis bar for 4 years (started server) and heard it was a waste if time.

There's always on the job training and for what drinks you don't know how to make there's always a book/file-a-facts/iPhone near-by. Most people order the same stuff all the time anyway. Either way the best way is to just jump in for hands on and go.

[black2002ls]

The number one thing to learn are drink recipe's. Those will be tailored to your crowd, and there are several handbooks/recipe sets that can be had. The next is learning the service industry. Learn to make the bar money and you make money. The quicker you can serve, the better the tips, etc. I've manged bars and been a bar tender for the better part of the last 3 years. I currently make 4-500 working 2 nights a week. If the concerts are bigger on the weekends, it can easily be close to 6-700. This is in a bar with a 400 capacity.

[kenny c]

I ran a few bars & owned 2 of them... For guys, we did not hire any with experience. We had a few little tests to get an idea of their sense of urgency & common sense. For girls... well.... we were sexist pigs for the most part, but it sure did help profitability.