Many people who are considering attending bartending school wonder whether or not it’s really worth the time, expense, and effort. In many ways, the answer to that question depends on both the school itself and the individual. If you can find a reputable bartending school where you can obtain certification and learn valuable skills in a relatively short period of time that can translate into a significant income, then most people would agree that, yes, it’s “worth it.” If, on the other hand, you attend a school that has less than adequate instructors, poor hands-on experience, is relatively expensive, and does not help you find a decent bartending position upon graduation, then you might reasonably conclude that what you “got out of it” was not worth “what you put into it.” Finally, whether you attend a decent school or one that is less so, you may discover in the end that, for whatever reason, bartending is simply not “your thing.” At that point, the issue is not so much the quality of the school and the training you received but whether the job of bartender is a suitable one for you.
How Much Does It Cost?
Bartending classes are typically not very expensive – usually no more than several hundred dollars. Most bartending schools offer some type of financial assistance as well for qualified students. The cost can usually be paid by cash, credit card, or check.
How Long Does the Course Take to Complete?
Most bartending courses that offer certification can be completed in about 40 hours, which means it will normally take the student anywhere between two weeks to a month to graduate. You can expect to have actual classes held in classroom settings in addition to “hands-on” experience in an actual saloon or bar. The latter is usually found to be the most useful in terms of eventually snagging a decent job as a barkeep.
How Difficult Are Bartending Classes?
If you have a high school diploma or a GED you shouldn’t have any problem successfully graduating from a bartending school. Keep in mind, however, that everyone is different and that some people may just naturally make better bartenders. As with most things in life, there are intangibles that can often determine how successful someone may turn out to be in a given profession. So are you willing to make the investment of your time, money, and effort?
