Benefits of Bartending School Tuition

When it comes to bartending, the images that spring to most folk’s minds tend to fall in one of two camps. Barkeeps are either, exciting and romantic as portrayed by Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail or boring and stupid like Moe Sizlack in The Simpsons. However, both of these portrayals are at the far end of two extremes since the reality of bar-tending is a career that is middle of the road.

If you get pleasure from interacting with other folks, then you might be interested in attending a bartending school to learn how to do the job right. Do a little research and check into one of the best bartending schools available, based on training and skills taught.

Perhaps you are already known for mixing a drink or two for friends or family or maybe you already have a successful career and have a yearning to be like the flair bartenders you have seen in movies such as Cocktail. On the other hand, maybe you just want to earn some extra money doing what you love. However, going as far as attending a school for bartending may seem a little over the top. Schooling is expensive and since you would only be doing it just for a hobby or a weekend job, the whole idea seems a little impractical. Well, think again, because these days there are online bartending schools that are ideal for folks like you who are looking to learn bartending skills as a hobby.

Learning how to tend bar may appear straightforward enough but it really is an art. Knowing how to interact with patrons while also being able to properly mix drinks is the hallmark of an experienced bartender, such as one you would find in a fine dining establishment. The majority of experienced bartenders learned their skills in a good bartending school. There are a number of great bartending schools located around the country and you just have to research which one has all the options that you are looking for. In any case, whatever school you decide to attend to learn the basics, it will give you the foundation that you will need for a successful career.

You may wonder how you will ever get a job if a bartending career or hobby is so popular. Well you are in luck, since virtually all bartending schools also offer job placement. They work side by side with bars and restaurants daily and help their students to launch their new profession. Bartending is a career that has been around since the Middle Ages and is not likely to go out of style any time soon! Whether you are twenty-one and just starting out or forty-one and looking to fulfill your passion, it is safe to say that bartending school tuition is not out of reach and can undoubtedly improve your future.

Benefits and Risks of a Professional Bartending Career

Professional bartending is a fast-paced, rewarding career with a unique set of skill requirements and risks. When considering this as a career choice for yourself, be sure to first research whether your area has a large enough demand for bartenders.

You will also need to evaluate your experience level, and determine whether you will need further bartending training to be successful. Make sure you know the risks and benefits of the profession as well, before either looking for a bartending job, if you have the experience, or deciding to attend a bartending school in your area.

There are different schools of thought as to what qualifies a good barkeep. Some say that when bartending professionally, the most important qualification is the individual’s social skill set. Others suggest that bartenders are at their best if they have a friendly yet humorous and sometimes flirtatious attitude towards their patrons. After all drink tends to make folk, more sociable and they often look to the bartender to share in conversation and joke around with them. Psychologically, a customer who thinks that the bartender is one of them will typically tip far more generously than to one that is seen as not joining in with their banter. Since your income as a bartender heavily depends on the tips given by customers, it is important for you to develop a good rapport with your customers.

Having a good memory is another important qualification of being a bartender. A good barmen or barmaid will generally be able to remember customer orders without having to write everything down. In addition, they will be able to mix the vast majority of drinks without having to resort to a mixed drinks recipe book. The ability to instantly recall the steps and ingredients required to make any drink the customer orders is the sign of a successful bartender.

If you are a female bartender, then walking the fine line between friendly and over friendly can be enormous. While it is important to have that unique personality many experienced bartenders are known for, being too flirtatious with men who have been drinking can be very dangerous. Due to the late hours when bars close, the poor lighting in most parking lots, and the state of mind of many of the patrons, it is often recommended that bar employees do not walk alone to their vehicles. Many bar managers and owners make it their policy to escort barmaids to their vehicles.

It is also important to keep an eye on customers while they are in the establishment. Bartenders need to keep mental notes on how many drinks each patron has had, as well as any suspicious behavior. Responsible, professional bartending may also mean having to refuse alcohol to an already intoxicated customer, or perhaps even asking a customer to leave the premises if they start to become aggressive.

It is often said that the biggest risk for a bartender is becoming an alcoholic. Being around alcohol so often can be too tempting for some. If you can avoid being sucked into that trap, you will likely enjoy bartending as a career. The people you will meet will be unique, with many stories they are just dying to share. You will see friendships grow with co-workers, and enjoy a full time income while only working part time hours. Best of all, professional bartending is certainly nothing like just another day at the office.