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if you want to become a bar tender do you havea to go to a class for that

just wondering

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Janet’s Answer

Yes. You need to learn drink recipes but also HOW to pour them properly. Good courses will also teach the business side of Bartending and many schools have placement programs after to help you get your first job.

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Erin’s Answer

The requirements differ regionally, I live in Idaho and you do not, and have personally found the most effective way to get into bartending is to start working at a bar or restaurant as a barback (a support position) and then you can move up from there. There are certainly safety courses that are required, in Boise, we utilize Servesafe or TIPS, but as far as learning how to bartend, I would say most of that comes from on the job learning. Every place has their own way of operating and will want to train you how they want it to be done. There are very few "standard" recipes when it comes to cocktails anymore and no matter where you go, you will be expected to learn their recipes. The nuances of bartending including time management, cocktail creation/flavor profiles, customer service are all things that can be learned on the job. Even if you pay for a "bartending school" you will likely have to start in a support position initially. I have managed 4 bars and 2 restaurants and I personally have never hired someone straight out of bartending school to start working on the floor as a bartender. I got my first bartending job after working at a smaller, local bar as a server/barback, I soaked up what I could at work and then studied on my own time, less about cocktail recipes but more about where different spirits come from, how flavors work together, different types of drinks- beer, wine, spirits etc. Further, I reached out to the bartenders that worked there already for recommendations on ways to learn more and most were very willing to share their knowledge. Good luck out there! Bartending is an incredibly fun job, and can be very lucrative as well. But my advice would be to not waste your time or money on a bartending school and start linking up locally with bartenders in your area- in Boise we have a bartenders Facebook page that has a wealth of resources, I'm sure there is something similar where you live.
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