| At twenty three years old, I have held more than | | | | for the taxi cab company. Being able to entertain |
| my fair share of jobs. Among these, however, | | | | is also vital and every bartender should have a |
| the best has, without a doubt, been my career as | | | | few jokes or anecdotes in their back pocket at all |
| a bartender. I love being a bartender. It is an | | | | time to be able to recite at the drop of a hat. If |
| extremely fun job that allows me to meet | | | | working in a sports bar, always be up to date on |
| myriads of interesting people and get to know all | | | | the goings on in the athletic world. |
| about their fascinating lives. These are just some | | | | Even more important than knowing how to |
| of the reasons that bartending is such a | | | | communicate with patrons is knowing how to |
| rewarding career. This is why when people ask | | | | listen to them. Listening without interjecting is |
| me if they should start a career in bartending, I | | | | perhaps the most important skill that a bartender |
| always encourage them. I love this job and I want | | | | can possess. There is not a bar course, or any |
| other people to have the chance to love it too. | | | | course for that matter, that can teach a person |
| However, when people begin asking me about | | | | how to be a good listener. |
| going to Bartending School, I am less enthusiastic. | | | | Starting out in the world of bartending may be |
| Some people think that in order to be successful, | | | | difficult. It is not the easiest industry to break into. |
| they need to take some bartending courses at a | | | | This discourages some people into thinking that |
| bar school. Here, they will shell out a large chunk | | | | schools for bartending are their only option if they |
| of change to bartending schools in exchange for | | | | want to get ahead. Bartending schools thrive off |
| few classes about the difference between rum | | | | of this kind of attitude and push the belief that in |
| and gin. There are some schools for bartending | | | | order to get hired, a bar course, if not several |
| that make it seem like these bartending classes | | | | bartending classes should be taken. The even try |
| are absolutely essential to getting hired by a bar. I | | | | to push refresher bartending courses on |
| am here to tell you not to buy into it. When you | | | | bartending veterans who know better. |
| come across an enticing ad placed by a bar | | | | The best way to start out in the bartending field |
| school, just walk away. Going to bartending school | | | | is not going to Bartending School. Instead, |
| is simply waste of money ninety percent of the | | | | networking is crucial. The most proactive first |
| time. I did not attend a bartending school and my | | | | step is to apply to places that constantly cycle |
| career is flourishing. | | | | through their bar staff. Many restaurants and |
| Most vendors will not require you to attend a | | | | smaller hotel bars have a regular rotation of |
| bartending school. Typically, taking bartending | | | | bartenders and bar backs. It would be best to |
| classes is only required by large hotels or casinos. | | | | start off as a bar back and eventually work your |
| If the job you are applying for does not require a | | | | way up the ladder. |
| bar course, then you should not spend your hard | | | | Another good step is to look into the bars that |
| earned money to attend bartending school. Some | | | | you, personally, frequent as a customer. Become |
| places of business may only require a bartending | | | | one of their regular patrons and build a relationship |
| license, while others only require that the | | | | with the other bartenders, the managers or even |
| bartenders be at least twenty one. | | | | the bar owner. If you hit it off well, eventually |
| It is important to do your research when trying | | | | mention that you would like to begin bartending |
| to get a job as a bartender. Knowing what is | | | | and ask if they need any help. Because they are |
| required of you ahead of time looks professional | | | | familiar with you, they may feel better about |
| to the bar manager and makes you appear like a | | | | hiring you. This is also a good way to find out |
| reliable hire. All it takes is five minutes to look up | | | | about the requirements for the job beforehand |
| your states required bartending laws on an | | | | directly from people who work there. Find out if |
| internet search engine. Then you will know if you | | | | you need to attend Bartending School. This may |
| need to attend a bartending school or get a state | | | | change your mind about working there. Why |
| issued license. | | | | waste money on bartending courses just to work |
| Not everything a bartender needs to know can | | | | at one particular place? |
| be acquired through bartending schools. Aside | | | | What you will come to learn is that most small |
| from possessing knowledge about alcohol and | | | | bars work like families and everyone becomes |
| being able to work in a fast pace environment, a | | | | very close. Like families, they take care of one |
| bartender needs to have good people skills. One | | | | another. I should know. After all, I am a bar |
| of the bartender's main responsibilities is to | | | | manager. I worked my way from bar back to |
| communicate with the patrons. Some of this | | | | running the bar and not once did I think to attend |
| involves more knowledge on the bartender's side | | | | Bartending School. I learned early on that |
| than what can be taught in a bar school. One | | | | networking and relationships were the key to |
| needs to know all of the relevant information | | | | success and the schools for bartending only |
| pertaining to the best entertainment spots in | | | | wanted my money. |
| town, the nearest hotel or knowing the number | | | | |