Has anyone gone to bartending school?

[SamRoc]

DD wants to get a summer job as a bartender. Have looked at different schools for her. Most of the prices are between $500 and $700. Looking in the orlando area for a school. any ideas? thanks!

 

[tazdev3225]

My future DIL went to bartending school a couple of years ago. One of the selling points was that they helped to place their graduates in a position upon completion of the course. They did not help her at all. She did get 2 jobs but they were in bad neighborhoods and one was held up at gun point. She has a friend who works as a bartender and she does make good tips but when I heard what she had would have to do I was thrilled that she looked for a new line of work. The friend makes her tips by wearing revealing clothes and allowing the patrons to paw her. She was given a $500 tip for allowing a customer to see her chest. My DDIL said that restaurant chains promote from within, most bars want very pretty welll endowed girls who liked to show off their assets and like to get very friendly with the customers (lap dances come to mind). I would advise your DD to think of a different line of work.

 

[SamRoc]

My future DIL went to bartending school a couple of years ago. One of the selling points was that they helped to place their graduates in a position upon completion of the course. They did not help her at all. She did get 2 jobs but they were in bad neighborhoods and one was held up at gun point. She has a friend who works as a bartender and she does make good tips but when I heard what she had would have to do I was thrilled that she looked for a new line of work. The friend makes her tips by wearing revealing clothes and allowing the patrons to paw her. She was given a $500 tip for allowing a customer to see her chest. My DDIL said that restaurant chains promote from within, most bars want very pretty welll endowed girls who liked to show off their assets and like to get very friendly with the customers (lap dances come to mind). I would advise your DD to think of a different line of work.

I didnt ask for a blow by blow description of your DILs horror stories. your pretty judgemental telling my DD what to do with her life. I asked anyone here for help with info about bartending school. you have no idea where we live, or where she would work. next time just give advice to the original question.

 

[Peanut214]

Hi Samroc! Longtime lurker here, finally joined today! Just wanted to give a different perspective for your DD. I bartended for 7 years, and never went to bartending school. At first, I found a job at a little hole in the wall place (NOT dirty or seedy, just a cheap, local watering hole that was popular amongst the broke college kids. There was no lap-dancing ) I was able to receive on the job training while I made a little money at the same time. From there, I moved on to bigger and busier clubs.

Schools are expensive, and bartending is really not that hard! They will want to teach her all the complicated shots and mixed drinks that, in reality, will not be requested all that often. Most patrons will stick with vodka and cran, or rum and coke. The most popular shots are southern comfort and lime juice, and other easy combinations. I used to keep a book called the bartender's little black book behind the bar, and look up anything that was unfamiliar to me. It all comes in time! Before you know it, it's second nature and you can remembers hundreds of drinks off the top of your head!

Of course, it may be different in Orlando, and they may look for applicants who have attended a school. But, I just wanted to throw it out there! I worked in north Jersey, and no one ever asked about my schooling!

Best of luck to your DD!

 

[CathrynRose]

Hi Samroc! Longtime lurker here, finally joined today! Just wanted to give a different perspective for your DD. I bartended for 7 years, and never went to bartending school. At first, I found a job at a little hole in the wall place (NOT dirty or seedy, just a cheap, local watering hole that was popular amongst the broke college kids. There was no lap-dancing ) I was able to receive on the job training while I made a little money at the same time. From there, I moved on to bigger and busier clubs.

Schools are expensive, and bartending is really not that hard! They will want to teach her all the complicated shots and mixed drinks that, in reality, will not be requested all that often. Most patrons will stick with vodka and cran, or rum and coke. The most popular shots are southern comfort and lime juice, and other easy combinations. I used to keep a book called the bartender's little black book behind the bar, and look up anything that was unfamiliar to me. It all comes in time! Before you know it, it's second nature and you can remembers hundreds of drinks off the top of your head!

Of course, it may be different in Orlando, and they may look for applicants who have attended a school. But, I just wanted to throw it out there! I worked in north Jersey, and no one ever asked about my schooling!

Best of luck to your DD!

Bingo!

I bartended for almost 10 years and never went to school.

And let me tell you, when I had enough of bartending, and wanted to work 'normal' hours I applied to a bartending school position. They were going to hire me, and I turned them down. Why? It was alllllll about signing people up. It's a scam - truly, I swear to you on my mother's grave.

It's easiest to do what the above poster mentioned - or like I did, started at a chain not known for it's "Bar". I started at Olive Garden.

If she is that worried about it - local community colleges often have bartending classes. Just a few nights, and $50 will get you the basics.

I made a LOT of money Bartending, and even more once I got into a great bar. I only worked 3 nights a week.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

All my friends who have bartended would advise against going against the school route and would suggest the two real world alternatives above.

 

[wnissen]

I didnt ask for a blow by blow description of your DILs horror stories. your pretty judgemental telling my DD what to do with her life. I asked anyone here for help with info about bartending school. you have no idea where we live, or where she would work. next time just give advice to the original question.

Like all vocational schools, bartending classes vary wildly in quality. The worst will just take your money. The best have a track record of placing graduates in their field. Ask about their placement rate and contact information for former students. If they say they don't track graduates and can't provide references, then likely the course is worthless.

I'm sorry you didn't appreciate tazdev3225's relevant advice. Making drinks is simple, but dealing with lecherous alcoholics at two in the morning is not. It's just a summer job for your daughter, not a career, but paying $300 to find out what bartending is like seems an expensive proposition.

Walt

P.S. May I suggest that it would enhance your credibility to use the shift key?

 

[browneyes106]

My sister went to a bartending school and got part of paid by a local club that she later worked for. Maybe your daughter could look into something like that.

 

[*Fantasia*]

My bf went to bartender school. It was $800. He is doing fine at a nice restaurant. He gets some regulars and some out of towners. Most of his guests are from the 40s and older and most of them are business people . He likes it a lot. They didn't place him.. he just found this job on his own.

 

[tazdev3225]

I didnt ask for a blow by blow description of your DILs horror stories. your pretty judgemental telling my DD what to do with her life. I asked anyone here for help with info about bartending school. you have no idea where we live, or where she would work. next time just give advice to the original question.

I'm sorry you seem to be so offended by what I had to say based on the experience of someone I know. If your DD wants to do it thats fine with me I just have seen the bad side of it. I actually toured the bartending school with my DIL. The basic course was $800 all the fancy things were extra and the full course would have been over $2000. This was a nationwide school and it didn't help her. There are some people that luck out and get good jobs I was just trying to give you a different perspective to help your daughter make a knowledgeable decision. I told my own daughter not to do it. The money seems great but there can be a not so pleasant side to it.

 

[Jennifer S]

My sister was a bartender. She actually appled for a hostess job but because of her looks (Ex- NFL cheerleader) they gave her bartender with no experience. The money was good but the hours stink. She only lasted a year or two. She great to have at a party - she makes all the drinks :drink:

I don't think school is neccessary either.

 

[Alyssa88]

An old roommate of mine taught and eventually managed a bartending school.

He told me it was a scam. They say they will help you find a job, they won't.

I know several bartenders, none of them went to bartending school. I also know three people who went to a school and never got a job.

Don't do it

 

[Axel]

My future DIL went to bartending school a couple of years ago. One of the selling points was that they helped to place their graduates in a position upon completion of the course. They did not help her at all. She did get 2 jobs but they were in bad neighborhoods and one was held up at gun point. She has a friend who works as a bartender and she does make good tips but when I heard what she had would have to do I was thrilled that she looked for a new line of work. The friend makes her tips by wearing revealing clothes and allowing the patrons to paw her. She was given a $500 tip for allowing a customer to see her chest. My DDIL said that restaurant chains promote from within, most bars want very pretty welll endowed girls who liked to show off their assets and like to get very friendly with the customers (lap dances come to mind). I would advise your DD to think of a different line of work.

On the flip side, I work as a busser/gopher/jill of all trades at a restaurant (I'm not 18 and thus can't serve alcohol), but I've never seen anybody get "friendly" with our bartender- she's 62 and has been bartending part time for about 40 years she says. She makes great money- and I should know, she splits tips with me and hardly ever have I left with less than $20 in a 4 hour shift. And her tip jars are always crammed. She's not attractive, but she's friendly. She cracks jokes and tells stories and asks people about their lives. She keeps them drinking and that's where the tips come from.

And she never went to bartending school. I know that after watching her for a couple weeks, I wouldn't really need to go either. And we've never had any really "complicated orders" like screwdrivers and such. Those are mostly served at clubs. A bar in a restaurant will mostly serve beers and things like coke and rum, vodka and cranberry juice, and hot mixed drinks like Irish coffee (Bailey's and coffee) and peppermint patties (hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps). If your DD could get a job that would onsite train her to tend bar, I'm sure she could pick it up fairly quickly and make money while learning instead of spending it.

 

[tazdev3225]

On the flip side, I work as a busser/gopher/jill of all trades at a restaurant (I'm not 18 and thus can't serve alcohol), but I've never seen anybody get "friendly" with our bartender- she's 62 and has been bartending part time for about 40 years she says. She makes great money- and I should know, she splits tips with me and hardly ever have I left with less than $20 in a 4 hour shift. And her tip jars are always crammed. She's not attractive, but she's friendly. She cracks jokes and tells stories and asks people about their lives. She keeps them drinking and that's where the tips come from.

And she never went to bartending school. I know that after watching her for a couple weeks, I wouldn't really need to go either. And we've never had any really "complicated orders" like screwdrivers and such. Those are mostly served at clubs. A bar in a restaurant will mostly serve beers and things like coke and rum, vodka and cranberry juice, and hot mixed drinks like Irish coffee (Bailey's and coffee) and peppermint patties (hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps). If your DD could get a job that would onsite train her to tend bar, I'm sure she could pick it up fairly quickly and make money while learning instead of spending it.

You are right a personality is the best asset. My DDIL did get a job and made decent money but she had late hours in a seedy part of town. The problem is that she was young and although legally old enough many bars want "older" looking girls who look good in skimpy outfits. Philadelphia is a big city but there are a great many applicants for every one opening. She actually talked my DD out of pursuing bartending. She enjoyed the job until the men got a little drunk and kept hitting on her. It can be really good work or really hard work depending on what you can find.

 

[*Fantasia*]

really? no bartender school needed. i guess in my case, i would need to go to bartendering school cause i don't drink. i don't know nothing about wines, champagne, martinis or mixed drinks... let alone what glass to use and what not. my bf works in a very nice italian restaurant and being an italian place, wines are big there. he ended up learning everything about wines.

i'm just glad he landed a good place to work. i wouldn't be too happy if he was working at a sleezy bar or a strip joint. he said maybe i should try being a bartender, he said it's not that hard, but for someone like me who doesn't know what the drink is suppose to taste like, how do i know if i am serving them correctly.

 

[jewjubean]

I've been bartending /serving for almost a year and a half now. I work for a restaurant well known for drinking, and I would say skip the bartending school. I have no experience with it myself, but I started out as a hostess and worked my way up over 5 months to where I am today. I learned by jumping in and learning the way the drinks are made by watching and just reading books about drinks. I know my restaurant does look at references and looks at past/current jobs. But they are more likely to hire someone who is excited to work at our place, over someone who has formal training. But as far as showing off "the girls" I have made just as good of money NOT doing it as the girls who prance around everywhere. I am a big girl and no one wants to see that....but they do like to see someone who can carry 7, 23 oz beers at one time without spilling it. As far as making money all she has to do is become friends with her guests and learn their habits and tastes.Also being a bartender/server can be a difficult job and not everyone is cut out for it but its also a great way to network with "potential employers" , lots of business men and professionals like to drink too

 

[CathrynRose]

my bf works in a very nice italian restaurant and being an italian place, wines are big there. he ended up learning everything about wines.

i.

Many places - most all chains - will train you on this, being a bartender or server. They have people come in all the time.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Many places - most all chains - will train you on this, being a bartender or server. They have people come in all the time.

I notice you're from Chicago. I love Chicago! All 30 years of my life, I have never been to Chicago, it was just then last year we finally made it. And we loved it so much, that we went back again a month later! It's a beautiful city.

This particular restaurant only wants someone who has experience. He started as a bar back because of lack of experience.. after they learned how good he was, he got the bartender position. Not to brag, but when the restaurant has about 800 reservations (plus the walk-ins) and he is not there (on vacation or called in sick), they tend to panick a little. And ever since he became a bartender, they got rid of the bar back position.

He loves his job. He gets to talk to people from all over the states. He also have some regulars and some of them own their own business, but most of them are corporate business people. There's this couple who would sometimes offer my bf a free tickets to see the Pistons' game. There's this guy who owns a salon and insist on my bf and the baby to get their haircut there and he gets insulted whenever my bf try to pay for the haircut. So he has never paid a dime. It's all good.

Sorry.. I talk too much.

 

[CathrynRose]

I notice you're from Chicago. I love Chicago! All 30 years of my life, I have never been to Chicago, it was just then last year we finally made it. And we loved it so much, that we went back again a month later! It's a beautiful city.

This particular restaurant only wants someone who has experience. He started as a bar back because of lack of experience.. after they learned how good he was, he got the bartender position. Not to brag, but when the restaurant has about 800 reservations (plus the walk-ins) and he is not there (on vacation or called in sick), they tend to panick a little. And ever since he became a bartender, they got rid of the bar back position.

He loves his job. He gets to talk to people from all over the states. He also have some regulars and some of them own their own business, but most of them are corporate business people. There's this couple who would sometimes offer my bf a free tickets to see the Pistons' game. There's this guy who owns a salon and insist on my bf and the baby to get their haircut there and he gets insulted whenever my bf try to pay for the haircut. So he has never paid a dime. It's all good.

Sorry.. I talk too much.

Bartending can be an excellent way to make money and network, as well.

I still know people from my bartending days, who came in as customers. I loved my bartending years.

I met my husband bartending.

And I'm so glad you liked Chicago! I love my hometown!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Don't waste your money. DH went and it was all about memorizing drink recipes. He came out of there NEVER having opened a bottle of wine ( I taught him later... he's not a wine drinker). They never showed him how to set up a catering bar. Two vital pieces of a bartender's trade. A COMPLETE waste of money.

Do you have any golf or country clubs in your area? THAT is GREAT work! I wish I had gotten into it sooner! They may want to start her as a server, but that's great experience for someone who wants to bartend!