Bartending Schools - Revealing the Myth and Truth part 1

You hear the glory about being a bartender. Flexible work hours, good pay and you get to meet interesting people. You search for information to become a bartender and find out there's a school to learn bartending. They give you a long list that the school has to offer.

Licensed by the state education department TIPS? Certified Alcohol awareness program Alcohol awareness prevention training Certified Bartending Mixology course Licensed by Consumer Affairs / Food / Restaurant board etc... Member of the WBTO , Food and Restaurant, Bartenders associating, Bartending Organization These are some of the terms that bartending schools use to distinguish themselves from other ones.

Are they just marketing buzzwords thrown in to confuse the student or are they really valid differences. Most bar schools try to get you to believe that a bartender certification is needed in order to be hired as a bartender, secondly they convey that their school is the best. The most important thing you need to know is that most states do not require you to go to bartending school. Those that require training are usually asking for alcohol prevention which is a seminar that takes a few hours to complete. What are the state regulations? You check at http://www.bbbartendingschools.org/States/index.php Licensed by the state education department This means that the bartending school is licensed by the education department from that state, and their course is approved by the education department for "mixology" or "bartending". You are learning how to make drinks. These are the safest bartending schools to choose because of the education license required. TIPS? Certified Alcohol awareness program TIPS? is the most recognized Alcohol awareness program. Some places will require TIPS? certification. If your state law requires mandatory alcohol awareness training all you need is this course that takes 4hours to complete. Alcohol awareness prevention training This is the actual requirement of state law to become a bartender. This training is meant to recognize patrons who are or have potential to be alcohol intoxicated. Usually a few hours to complete.

Certified Bartending Mixology course The course is certified by the state education department. Are programs certified by the education department better than those that are not? The majority of the time yes. You also get a diploma at your completion which you will never use. Licensed by Consumer Affairs / Food / Restaurant board etc... If a school is licensed by anything other than the education department it is not a school. State education licenses are harder to get than the others. While these places may offer mixology classes and job placement, the fact that they went around the system should leave you with doubt. Many of these places close after the season is over. Member of the WBTO, Food and Restaurant, Bartenders associating, Bartending Organization etc.. These are mostly marketing terms used to make the school seem more attractive. Some are beneficial and others do nothing. So what should you look for in a bartending school? Stay tuned for our next article or if you're impatient we have it at http://www.bbbartendingschools.org/bartendingschools/bartendingschools_2.php

Guide Perry is a licensed bartender and a certified bartending school instructor. Check BB Bartending Schools for updated information concerning state requirements for becomming a bartender, licensed bartending schools and a Bartender Guide to selecting a bartending school that fits your needs.

Bartending: Building a Foundation For a Profitable and Rewarding Career

Dating back thousands of years, bartending began as a trade by those who produced liquor and, in turn, sold it to the public. This was not only a profitable venture for these early bartenders, but provided a product in huge demand by the public. Historically, humans have always had a fondness for spirits, which is an enormous benefit to those pursuing a bartending career. Prohibition makes a very clear case that people want their drinks, and demand is not quashed by the absence of product.

Very few careers can offer you virtually guaranteed placement in literally any place you wish to live and work in the world. Most bartenders, in fact, earn more than entry-level college graduates, with some eventually earning six- figure incomes.

Becoming a successful bartender takes more than just learning to spin drink recipes. The professional bartender is well-versed on the legal and business ramifications of alcohol management and service. Today's bartenders are a breed apart, savvy and knowledgeable performers in a fast-paced exciting environment. Simply put, there is no aspect more vital to a professional bartending career than the foundation built by a quality bartending school. Bartending schools provide more than just preparation; they directly affect how much you earn, from your very first day on the job. Some certifications, such as TIPS ? (Training for Intervention Procedures or TAM ? (Techniques in Alcohol Management) are required, by law, in many states.

Given the earning potential bartending offers as a career, the cost of attending a quality bartending school becomes a wise investment rather than an expense. Most bartending schools are very affordable, require very little time (as little as two weeks), and can be found in nearly every state in the country. Bartending-World.com offers a state-by-state listing of reputable bartending schools that makes selecting a school a breeze. When selecting a bartending school, make sure to ask these questions, and be leary of those who cannot offer answers.

What is the schools' industry reputation and how long has it been in business? Look for a school well-recognized in the bartending education industry. Many schools have a long history, making research easy.

What are the size of the classes and how well-equipped are they? Look for low teacher-to-student ratios and facilities that mimic actual working environments, as closely as possible.

Is the bartending school licensed by the state? What credentials are required for the instructors? Verifying that a school is actually licensed by the state, in which it teaches, is important. Find out what they look for when they hire instructors. Instructors, if well-chosen, are industry vets who can provide invaluable insight into the bartending industry.

Can you be given references of graduates who are working in the industry? What is the bartending school's job placement policy? Any reputable school will have working graduates who will endorse the school. If not, you need to be careful. A successful job placement plan is always indicative of a good training facility. If local bars have had success with hiring quality graduates then you can rest assured that school is worth a second look.

Bartending offers a rewarding and profitable career for those who are serious about their pursuit. While there is a lot of hard work involved, the excitement and fun of the atmosphere is hard to beat. Investing in a quality education will put you on the fast track to maximized earnings in bartending.
 

Bartending School Is Just The Beginning

While you may be thinking about attending bartending school, keep in mind that a bartending career is not all fun and games.

Bartenders work hard, and are often paid minimum wage. Working at a top club will, of course, up your take-home pay in the form of tips (sometimes as much as thousands per night), but you'll have to do your time and gain experience at smaller clubs and bars first. Initially, you'll also work the less crowded shifts. Some bars and clubs even require new bartenders to work as barbacks first - this means you'll be schlepping beer and liquor from the storage room to the bar, washing glasses and cleaning up. Not nearly as glamorous as you might have dreamed. As a barback, you'll earn a portion of the bartender's tips for the night.

The hours are often long, you're on your feet the whole time and might have to deal with a lot of rude customers. Aside from that, once you've moved up in the ranks and have the popular, crowded shifts - those that you make the most money with - you'll never have Friday or Saturday nights free. You'll be working.

If you still are thinking about attending bartending school, make sure you pick a reputable organization. You can also attend bartending school online. Many bartending schools offer job placement assistance one you finish your courses - if you don't have a job lined up already, you'll want help finding one.

The best bartenders have an outgoing personality, are patient and tolerant of customers who may have had one too many and are able to multitask and work under pressure. Remember, you'll be on a virtual stage once behind the bar, with a lot of eyes watching you!

Once you've completed bartending school and started your first job, know that you will make mistakes. It's your ability to recover from them with grace and humor that will keep you going.

Attending bartending school is just the beginning of a potentially fun and profitable career. But know ahead of time that bartending is a lot of work!