Is bartending school worth the money for a young male?

Don't go to bartending school (i.e. don't waste the money) unless the job you are applying to requires such an endevour (usually only hotels and casinos ask for that kind of stuff)



Also, most states don't require a license either. Depending on what state you live in you need ot make sure of the age requirements (most states require that you are 21 years old and that's it, some want you to get a state license...etc...) Just check the laws for your state (go here: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/StateAn鈥?/a>



The most important thing that you should do is pick up the Bartender's Black Book (you can usually find it at a local package store, if not order it from Amazon). It has thousands of recipes, Plus all the basics, terms, and measurements you need to memorize immediately. Learning your pour count, knowing how to make a Long Island, a Martini, a Cosmo, how to tap a keg, etc...



Other than knowing how to pour drinks and serve drinks quickly, the main thing a bartender has to do is listen/talk to people. Make sure you are a people person. You have to love to listen too, especially to drunks. You also want to be up to date on local stuff (where the best entertainment spots are, the nearest hotel, the cab's number, etc...) You also need to have at least two jokes you can pull from memory. One dirty, and one you could tell your mother. Both have to be funny. Also be up to date on all sports scores, especially on local teams. Know who is playing who and at what time (make sure to have it on the TV too).



When starting out, it may be tough to get a job. The best thing to do is to apply to all the places that cycle through bartenders/barbacks a lot (like restaurants, hotel bars, etc...) Then find bars that you like personally and become somewhat of a regular at those places. Get to know the other bartenders, owners, managers, and then in a few months drop the line that you would be willing to work for them. Start out as a barback and work your way up. Most small bars are run like families anyway. You will have to know your fellow employees well. That is how I got my first two bartending jobs and eventually made it to bar manager.



Bartending is an extremely fun job. You will meet tons of people and hear lots of interesting stories. Plus you will know alcohol better than the back of your hand. I find it to be quite rewarding when it comes to the bank account too.Is bartending school worth the money for a young male?
You SURELY don't need to go to school to learn how to serve behind a bar??????Is bartending school worth the money for a young male?
Big guy has it right.Is bartending school worth the money for a young male?
Nope, start at a restaurant, and learn hands on. Being an Ex Applebee's manager, I would perfer to hire someone that has worked hands on, and not gone to the college. You learn how to be a real bartender at a restaurant, not by books at a college.Is bartending school worth the money for a young male?
As all the answers have told you...bartending schools are not "worth" the investment: Here is why:



Bars/Restuarants don't give Bartending Schools a lot of credibility-most establishments LAUGH when they see "Bartending Certificate" on a resume!!



You still don't know how to handle cash/credit cards, and work a POS machine



You don't have experience as a bartender or with real life customer interaction



You can't effectively multi-task



The establishment doesn't know you...they can't trust you with handling $600-2000 in cash a night...you could even steal their alcohol



You don't have senority-bartending jobs are highly desired and are given to those who have been servers working their way up the ranks (most of the time)



What I suggest:



Work for yourself! Get a few gigs bartending private parties and weddings! They are soo much EASIER than working at an actual bar and you can consistently make MORE money!! Check out www.BartenderforProfit.com for more information on how to get started. The website has a bunch of free stuff to show you how to get your business up and running



You can do a few gigs, and then put "FREELANCE BARTENDER" on your resume and that is very, very impressive!