Frequently Asked Questions on Bartending

How old do I have to be to bartend in New York?

In New York you need to be 18 or over to serve alcohol.

Do I need a license to bartend in New York?

A bartending school certification, or license, is not a requirement by law in New York. Individual bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol, however, may require bartenders to have their certification. Certification without the necessary training is like rowing a boat without a paddle. Personality, knowledge, confidence and efficiency behind the bar are the real attributes that the manager/owner is looking for in a bartender. It's the training that gives you the ability to do the job, not the certificate.

What should I look for when choosing a bartending school in New York?

The level of training can vary immensely from one school to another. So when choosing a bartending school we suggest you compare several schools. Take your time to research your options. The bartending school with the best training is the best school for you. Without the right training everything else is meaningless!

Check to see if the school is licensed by the NY State Education Department. A licensed school provides students with protection, such as tuition refunds, available through the State’s Tuition Refund Account. Licensed bartending schools also have a formal complaint process, whereas unlicensed schools, on-line bartending schools and bartending agencies, do not provide recourse, real training or job placement assistance. Unlicensed schools do not tend to invest money in set-up and equipment because they are subject to closing if and when the education department discovers they are operating without a license. Check if a bartending school is licensed: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/bpss/DIRECTORY1.htm

Do your research. Inquire if they offer a hand-on trial class (an excellent way to see the facilities and evaluate the quality of training). Review the school's training manual to make sure it's up-to-date and that it covers the entire spectrum from classic drinks to trendy drinks served in the bars, restaurants and clubs of today. At the New York Bartending School you will EVERYTHING you need to know in our 40-hour bartender/mixology course, but we won't waste your time learning obsolete drinks that are never ordered. Once you've done your research, make a visit to the three bartending schools that you have narrowed your choice down to. Before making a final decision, you need to physically check out the facilities. Does it have the atmosphere of a real bar? Is it fully equipped with all the modern equipment? Are the classes overcrowded or too large in comparison to the number of stations. By visiting several schools, you will be able to make an informed and educated decision as to which bartending school provides you the best value for your money.

Modern bartending schools provide seminars in wine, spirits, beer, alcohol awareness, POS/micros registers, etc. It's not only about making the drinks, it's about the complete skill set you need to create and build a career in bartending.

At the New York Bartending School our reputation, our facilities and our training speaks for itself! This is why we tell students to (a)-Visit our bartending school, (b)-Sit in on a class, (c)-Attend our introductory hands-on trial class (no fee), (d)-Talk to the students, instructors and job placement director, (e)-Read our reviews, (f)-View the photos of our graduates working, (g)-Visit the graduates at their place of work, (h)-Visit other bartending schools to compare! (i)-Take your time and choose the bartending school that will give you the professional training you need to secure work as a bartender.

What should I Avoid when Choosing a Bartending School in New York?

Unlicensed bartending schools!
On-line bartending schools!
Bartending agencies and associations!
Classifieds that offer bartending jobs for a subscription fee!
Any schools that guarantee students a job as a ploy to get them signed up!
Signing up to any bartending school BEFORE you actually visit it and sit in on a class!
Signing up to any bartending school BEFORE you compare it with at least two other schools!
Overcrowded bartending schools; bartending schools that have for example only 5 stations and 20 students (never any more than 2 students per station).

I have heard that bar owners do not hire from bartending schools. Is that correct?

We would not have thousands of our NYB graduates working in some of the busiest bars throughout the United States if this was true. However, some disgruntled bartenders and owners may feel this way. Unfortunately too many wannabe bartenders went to a really bad bartending school or worse still, an online bartending course. Unfortunately they often have the mentality that all bartending schools are the same - so their surmise is that the most convenient and cheapest bartending school they can find will suffice. Unfortunately they find out the hard way when they apply for a job and the head bartender or manager puts them behind the bar to test their skills. The student got ripped off, never lands a bartending job so he bad mouths all bartending schools whenever he gets the chance. Meanwhile the bar manager that hired him has the opinion that bartending schools suck! It is these rip-off bartending schools that give the good barding schools a bad reputation! Unfortunately, just because a bartending school is licensed by the State, does not necessarily mean they provide quality training! Which is why we keep badgering you into researching your options. Don't sign along the dotted line until you research you options! It really is all about the training!

Will I be guaranteed a job after I graduate from bartending school?

I will answer that with another question: "Is anyone guaranteed a job when they graduated from college"? Of course not! The degree of job placement assistance offered by any bartending school (any trade school) varies immensely, but none can guarantee you a job! It is the manager/owner of the bar that is doing the interviewing. A school can prepare you for the interview and provide assistance and job leads. The amount of actual job leads that come into a school is dependent on the reputation of the training from that bartending school. As we have said several times 'It is not the certificate that will land you a job; it is the RIGHT TRAINING, your PERSONALITY, and your PERSISTANCE!

At the New York Bartending School we are proud of our job placement assistance program because it has helped thousands of graduates find a job after graduation. We provide job hunting seminars, one-on-one assistance and a job placement site that posts real job leads. We provide graduates with every tool they need to land a job. It's these resources combines with our graduate's personality, persistence and determination that accounts for our success, and our students success in finding a bartending job. Check out our blog for more info on job placement and our photo gallery to view our graduates at work.

We may not be able to guarantee our graduates a job but we can and we DO guarantee you the best training available along with a realistic job placement service.

Does the New York Bartending School provide payment plans?

We offer an interest-free payment plan. Call us at 212.768.8460 to schedule what payment plan works for you. We're more than happy to help you start your career training.

Does the New York Bartending School provide flexible schedules?

Our students can mix and match classes, even take the course over again as often as they want at no additional fee.

I do not drink and know little about alcohol. Will this be a problem?

Most of our students start out with little or no knowledge of alcohol, yet most graduate the first time they take the course. It all boils down to a comprehensive curriculum and unique teaching from qualified licensed instructors. If you are not ready, no problem, you can retake part or the entire course as many times as you want, whenever you want.and you will never have to pay another dime. Your success means our success - so we want you to be the best you can!

To make an appointment call 212.768.8460 or just drop by the school.

To attend our free hands-on trial class just go to the 'Sign-Up' icon on the left of the page. There is no fee to attend.

New York Bartending School, Inc 68 West 39th Street, NY, NY 10018 / 212.768.8460