WHAT IS A BARTENDING LICENSE/CERTIFICATION?
First of all there is NO such thing as a bartender license. A ‘certification’ is evidence of completing an educational program and passing an exam that meets industry standards. However, there has never been a standardized industry-level program or exam for bartending, so means very little in the bar industry. The fact is, NO bartending certification is required to work as a bartender anywhere in the United States. In New York City, if you are at least 18 years of age, and you know how to bartend, then you can legally work as a bartender. The truth is, it is not the certificate that gets you working, it is your knowledge of bartending/mixology along with your personality, passion, and persistence.
SO WHY GO TO BARTENDING SCHOOL?
Landing a bartender position without the required knowledge and skills, regardless of your great personality, is pretty slim. Starting as a server, or better still, a barback may help you to get to the position of bartender. Most establishments do not have the time and resources to train staff with no experience. It is best to acquire some necessary knowledge and skills to help you land that bartending position. There are ample training videos online nowadays to achieve that, if you have the time. Many prefer the hands-on approach, so they attend bartending school. Should you go that route, then do not make the assumption that all bartending schools are the same – far from it! Do your research!
DO YOU PROVIDE JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE UPON GRADUATION?
We provide you with the skills and knowledge of bartending and mixology, the best way to look for a bartending job, job positions, leads, and resume assistance. The rest is on you, barteding schools do not do the hiring – bar managers do the hiring! Do not believe the sales hype of bartending schools that tell you differently. We have a lot of New York Bartending School graduates working all over the world; however, it is a combination of the knowledge and skills they acquired at the New York Bartending School, along with their personality, passion to learn more, and persistence, that landed them that bartending job – not a certificate.
WHAT IF I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE COURSE FOR FUN?
Home mixology is very popular, which is evident all over social media. Home mixologists are generally not looking to work in the industry, they already have a profession. Our flagship hands-on bartender-mixology course, although geared towards beginners looking to get into the business, is also perfect for anyone looking for a fun, challenging, and educational course in mixology.