Bartender school

[Hillbeans]

A friend of mine is thinking about going to Bartender school so I thought i'd ask my fellow DIS'ers about your experience. Has anyone gone? Do you get placed?? Can you make a living off of it?

Thanks!

 

[snoopy]

I was a bartender throughout college and grad school. I learned as I went along (I relied on a rolodex full of drink recipes, actually). I did work with some people who did go to bartending school, but I got my "start" as a bartender through being a waitress at the same establishment first.

And I made a very good living from it. This was 20 years ago and my tips were in excess of $200 a night on a good night, usually around $100 on an average. I'd go back to it in a heartbeat if I ever had to, although the standing for many hours on your feet and the long nighttime hours would be hard at my age.

 

[monkeyboy]

I attended a bar tending school after seeing the movie "Cocktail".

It was pretty tough to remember all teh foo foo drinks, but it was fun.

Problem is bar tending hours are pretty bad if you want to make good money.



BTW I also tried to hustle pool after seeing "Color of Money" and that didn't work out for me either

 

[Hillbeans]

Yeah, the hours where you'd probably make the most money are right during dinner through evening. I guess that'd be alright a few days a week.

 

[snoopy]

Actually, your hours as a bartender go into the wee hours of the morning, usually. When I was a bartender the bars closed at 1 or 2am, and then after cleaning up and balancing my register it would be 4am or so by the time I was home. I had a hard time with sleeping when everyone else was working or going to school, especially since on the opposite days I got up and went to school, but I managed to get used to it.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by monkeyboy
I attended a bar tending school after seeing the movie "Cocktail".

It was pretty tough to remember all teh foo foo drinks, but it was fun.

Problem is bar tending hours are pretty bad if you want to make good money.



BTW I also tried to hustle pool after seeing "Color of Money" and that didn't work out for me either

Just curious,

Did you try to be a samurai, also?

 

[caitycaity]

my SIL is a bar tender. she makes really good money, but she's been doing it for awhile now.

 

[Hillbeans]

Wow, 4 AM...that's really late - or really early!!

I'm sure there are some places open that late, like the clubs and such. I'd imagine that's where the better money is, however I think she's more looking to work at a restaurant where they're open only until around 11/12 pm.

 

[SoonerKate]

I've been told by friends who bartend at PI that bartending school is kind of a waste of money; as long as you've worked on a solid 3-count pour and know your basic drinks, you'll pick it up as you go.

 

[katerkat]

Huh. The only jobs out here are bartending, but I have utterly no experience. But considering the options, I've been thinking about applying for some. Do you think places (most are rinky dink little bars and diners) would hire someone who has never waitressed/bartended? (DH says I need to buy short skirts in order to get good tips. )