Is Bartending school worth it?

I live in San Diego, CA %26amp; I just need some extra cash being I'm now a single mother %26amp; no child support coming in. During the day I do accounting so I'm not suffering much but some extra cash a few nights a week could help make up his part. What do you think? Or is there way to get a bartending job w/o going to the school?Is Bartending school worth it?
It is not a bad trade at all. You being a single mom and looking to make extra cash and if doing this part time meaning weekends and late shifts..and having to deal with a few assholes..than you are going to be ok..you can also find someone who can train you at home. The school is going to train you on the variety of drinks out there and the short cuts on making them, and how to be hospitable and all smiley and also how to make it work for you. I did it on and off in NY, MA and Boston and did not go to school for this I was train on the spot..Is Bartending school worth it?
no no no no no no no no no no no
It depends.



It depends on here you are looking to bartend. The big plus is that you get your bartending license. However, you can get that from a local tech college in about 4 hours, and sometimes even online.



If you are looking at a working at a fancy nighclub, or popular bar it would probably help because it would give you some idea of the recipes.



If you are looking at working at a restaurant most times they want to train their own bartenders and will pay for the license.



On a sidenote- Most bartending schools do provide placement assistance.Is Bartending school worth it?
bartending schools are a waste of time %26amp; money. why don't you start as a cocktail server, to get your foot in the door %26amp; gain experience first ? you'll make great money, more than bartending, and it is much easier, as you don't have to stay after closing to clean %26amp; restock for the next shift.
my suggestion is to get a p/t job as a server at a local restaurant, that HAS a bar. have one of the bartenders teach you here %26amp; there while you're on the clock (nothing extensive, just basics) so that eventually (if you plan on staying there long enough) you can switch over, but as a server, you don't have to spend money to learn anything %26amp; you get tips, just like a bartender does.



bartending school doesn't cost much, and if you were able to get a good job bartending, you'd make the money back in no time, but it's not always easy to get a job in that "field." so unless you're serious about making it a career, i wouldn't spend the money, even if it doesn't cost a lot.Is Bartending school worth it?
If they taught people skills and bar / restaurant management, human resources, etc...then yes...but they may only touch on these important qualities and charge you a lot for learning how to mix and make, things you can learn on the job quickly if you have the other skills to entice a future employer.
for my friend it was...hes making good money in a hotel
You can save the money, and learn what you need online or in books (most bars use the Mr. Boston Recipe book), but I would recommend you start working as a server or hostess at a restaurant and bar. Most restaurant managers (i am one) won't just hire someone off the street to work behind their bar, knowledge is important part of being a bartender, but personality, image, and work ethic are deciding factors. If you start as server or hostess, you can pick up things (also some bars recipe's vary from drink to drink as well) and can also show the management that you have the personality to keep people at the bar, up sell drinks ( getting the top shelf, instead of well brands), and develop a following with some of the regular customers. Decide what type of bar you want tot work in (being a mother, you probalbly do't want to do the nightclub thing, late hours), So restaurants are your best bet, or country club, hotel lounge, ect. ( Hotel bartenders usually mkae great tips with business class customers) . If you look into restaurants, I would suggest a familiar chain (Friday's bartender training program is considered one of the best in the industry) but those restaurant will be more likely to offer benefits as well (including health, dental and life insurance) and in some cases even for part-time employee's. But start with getting a recipe book and reading, my favorite interview trick is to ask a potential bartending applicant "What's in Cubra Libra"? If I get that deer in the headlight look, then I offer them a busboy position.. Cubra Libra is a rum and coke. Good luck in your search, bartending is a great job if your a people person.
I'm from the opposite coast so it may be a little different out there. Some places require that you have to have a certificate; others don't. Bartending is a great way to make a lot of money quickly. Just ask around a few bars close to you that you'd like to work in and see. Some places would rather train you themselves so you learn their way of doing things.
At every bar/restaurant I've ever worked in, someone who comes walking in with a bartender school certificate but no experience won't even get interviewed.



It's all about the experience.
No way. I've worked as a bartender on/off for 15 years. I've never taken a class and I don't know what a bartending school would really teach you. Making drinks is easy. Dealing with drunks is tough.