Is going to Bartending school worth it?

I was thinking of going to bartending school in order to become a bartender in NYC. Does anyone know if spending time and money on bartending school would be worth it. I figure it would be fairly competative to get a job as a bartender in manhattan and most places want experienced people. I'm 19 and need a job to help pay for college expenses, so any bartending schools you could suggest would be extremely helpful.Is going to Bartending school worth it?
Don't listen to snocat. When I tended bar, I had a blast, made a ton of money and met some really great people. ( OK, some crazies as well) But as for bartending school? Forget it. It's a total ripoff. Graduates of bartending school are the least likely to get hired. Why? First of all the boss is gonna know you're a doofus for getting conned into going and will probably laugh at you. Second, a boss wants someone with real experience, and preferably a following. But how you ask? If you are REALLY into it, find a bar hiring barbacks. These are the grunts of the business. They bring the bartenders ice, cases of beer, empty the garbage, etc. Tell the boss your goal is to become a bartender and you are willing to start at the bottom and become a barback if it will teach you the business and get your foot in the door. Bust your ***.........and if you're lucky some one will notice you and give you a shot. Of course by that time you might say screw it. Good Luck!!Is going to Bartending school worth it?
I hate to break it to you, but no it is not. Bartending school is fun and if you are going for leisure then absolutely do it. I was a bartender in Boston and no bar will truly recognize a bartending class as experience. And unfortunately, most bars do not hire bartenders! If you talk to any bartender when you go out, they all started as servers or busboys before they became bartenders. My advice to you is to apply at some nice places for any available positions and let them know right from the start that you are interested in bartending, and they will move you up when spots are open. I went into Sunset Grill in boston with no experience serving or bartending. I applied to be a server but told them that I was interested in bartending. They hired me as a server and every night let me begin to bartend a little at a time with the other bartenders. About ten days later I was a bartender! It is possible to do it with no experience. And bartending school is only good for fun, not experience.Is going to Bartending school worth it?
It's totally not worth it because you are supposed to be able to drink alchohol legally before you can apply. Also my mom was a bartender for some time, she said it was the worst job and she ran into many disturbing people. You'd be better off as a target person or one of those people who goes around helping old people.