Bartending School Scams: The Facts They Don’t Want You To Know

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People defend the schools and say, “well you have a professional teacher there and they’re telling you what to do, or what you’re doing wrong.”

Many times in a bartending school, the instructor will stand up in front of the class and go through the drinks or lessons similar to how your high school teachers gave a lecture…

“OK, use this alcohol, with this mix, put it in this glass. Next drink…”

YOU are expected to take notes and study to memorize the drinks. Then they tell you to pair up with another classmate and you order drinks back and forth. You order from each other and basically teach yourself. They aren’t exactly hanging over your shoulder, watching your every move with a sharp eye. Sometimes they walk by, but largely it’s on you.

The teacher is there…but do you need them? Not really.

This is just as effective as reading or watching videos and practicing at home with a roommate or friend. So, why pay for it if you don’t need it?

Another point bar school advocates like to point out is that you get practice behind a real bar so that you’ll be familiar and comfortable with the bar you work at.

Again, sort of but not really.

[content_box_grey width=”80%”]I have a video here about setting a bar bartending tools and bar layout where you can learn about everything that’s behind a bar in 5 minutes.[/content_box_grey]

IMPORTANT: What you need to realize is that every single bar is completely different. Similar, but definitely different and is why you will ALWAYS go through a 7-14 day training period at any new bar you work at, despite having any experience or not.

They’ll show you where everything is stored, stocked, how you set up and break down the bar, how you close and clean, how you do your books and split up the tips, how the computer or register works, what’s on the menu, the bar policies, and anything else you would need to know to work at their bar.

So sure, you can get comfortable behind a bar at bartending school, but the one you eventually work at will be completely different. There will always be a readjustment at every new bar you work at.

It was shortly after all of these discoveries that I made my way out of the school and back behind a real bar. But it left me with desire to share what I had seen.

And that is why I created this Bartending Blueprint website. I wanted to offer you something different, an alternative to the overpriced, outdated, overhyped, over fluffed bartending schools.

Now if your gung ho on attending a bartending school then cool, go for it. But understand that it isn’t necessary and in no way guarantee’s you’ll get a job. And if you think you’ll get a “Bartending License” that will magically help you get hired, then you’re still in la la land. (see the post about no such thing as a bartending license).

So save the $300-$1000+ on bartenders school tuition and have a look around this site, and especially don’t is the Bartending Pro YouTube Channel, which is dedicated to the topic of becoming and succeeding as a professional working bartender.

And if you do decide to take the plunge and sign up for that bartending class, make sure to be diligent and wise about your decisions of who you give your money to and always be realistic about what you’ll get in the end.