How to Train a Bartender: Bartender Training Program (Free Manual Template)

Bartending is one of the oldest, most beloved occupations. There are over 640,000 bartenders in the U.S., and these numbers are steadily increasing. Despite what you might think, bartending is a complex yet rewarding job that requires a good deal of training and knowledge.

Successful bartenders need a good grasp of mixology, as well as strong organizational skills to juggle orders and deal with intoxicated patrons who may not be on their best behavior. 

Extra training is beneficial to both rookie bartenders and experienced mixologists who want to improve their skills or learn a few new ones. Solid restaurant training also reduces staff turnover and improves employee engagement, particularly among milennials.

In this guide, I’ll provide a list of top bartending programs that you can use to become a good bartender. I’ll also discuss the skills you’ll need, applying for bartending jobs, and what bar managers should look for in a new recruit.

What’s in This Guide?

• Best Bartender Training Programs

• Bartender Skills Developed in Training

• Types of Bartender Training

• Applying for Bartending Jobs

• How to Hire New Bartenders

• Final Thoughts & FAQs

Best Bartender Training Programs

To get a bartending job, it’s a good idea to seek out some sort of formal training. When I first started out behind the bar, I took some online courses that really prepared me for my role in a real bar. I later decided to get formally certified by taking an in-person bartender training program, drastically improving my skills.

In this section, I’ll highlight some of the best bartender training courses in the U.S. From free online classes to lengthy degrees at bartending school, choose the training that's right for you.

Formal Training Programs

Formal training programs teach bartenders a range of hard and soft skills via in-person classes and hands-on experience. Learn everything from high-volume bartending to responsible alcohol service with these world-leading bartender programs:

• The European Bartending School: Offering courses in more than 25 locations worldwide (and not just in Europe), this organization has trained 70,000 bartenders over the past 20 years and maintains a job networking platform for graduates. The four-week flagship course costs about $2,000 and is offered in half a dozen languages.

• Columbia Bartending Agency: This school has trained bartenders since 1965 and consistently produces top graduates. Learn how to craft cocktails with real alcohol and mix drinks to perfection. You can book an upcoming class easily for just $300.

• Culinary Institute of America: One of the most respected culinary training organizations in the country, the Culinary Institute of America offers a five-day training program at its campus in Hyde Park, New York, where you can join the Wine and Beverage Studies course to learn about classic cocktails and alcoholic beverages.

Online Training

Online courses are an easier and often cheaper way to access top bartending resources. You can learn at home or use them to supplement practical training at your job. Here are two of the best online platforms for prospective bar staff:

• DrinkSkool: This is a free nine-part course that covers the basics all the way through to advanced mixology. It was developed by industry experts at the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR) and provides free classes with helpful YouTube tutorials and terminology guides. However, the website offers no professional certifications or diplomas at the end.

• Udemy: This online education platform offers a wide range of bartending courses, including Bartending Mastery, How To Be A Successful Bartender, and Home Bartending. Courses range from $29.90 to $90 and offer an easy way into bartending with around 4.5 total hours of lectures and material.

Job Skills Developed in Bartender Training

Bartending is more than just pouring drinks and serving alcohol. When I worked behind the bar, I needed various hard and soft skills to carry out what was expected of me. From time management and organization under pressure to advanced mixology and customer intervention procedures, I had to learn a lot. Here are the bartender skills you’ll acquire with training: 

Basic Bartender Skills

Bartender training can help with some of the most basic aspects of the job, such as keeping track of orders, mixing drinks, and collecting payment with a point-of-sale (POS) system. It can also teach you how to maintain standards of cleanliness and sanitation, as well as soft skills like keeping customers happy and knowing when to cut them off. Here are some basic bartending skills you should learn:

1. Mixing & Serving Drinks: A bartender’s main responsibility is to pour and serve drinks. From making cocktails to scooping ice, even entry-level bartenders understand mixology and drink preparation methods.

2. Bar Tools: Bartenders frequently interact with modern restaurant technology, such as the POS or kitchen display system. A basic understanding of these tools can help bar operators do their jobs more efficiently. As new equipment becomes available, bartenders will have to undergo a constant learning process to keep on honing their craft.

3. Cleaning Procedures: Keeping a clean bar is a requirement of any good bartender. You shouldn’t leave dirty towels or broken glass around, so you need a good understanding of how to run a clean and organized bar.

As well as these essential skills, bartenders should also possess strong organizational and time management abilities. They should also have a basic understanding of alcohol regulations, dram shop laws, and how to deal with intoxicated customers who have had a few drinks too many.

Advanced Bartender Skills

For bartenders who have been on the job for a while, advanced restaurant skills training can provide information about the history of certain drinks and the best food and drink pairings, as well as advice about financial literacy that may help a bartender go for promotion.

1. Advanced Mixology: The best bartenders know that the sky’s the limit when it comes to mixology. Creative pouring techniques, inventive blends, and eye-catching compositions are all part of advanced bartender training and are desirable skills for high-end establishments.

2. People Management: If you’re over pouring drinks and serving alcohol, you might find that it’s time to move up the pecking order. To graduate from a bartender to a floor manager or even a restaurant owner, you’ll need excellent people management skills.

3. Inventory Management: Stock-taking and ordering aren’t typical responsibilities of a bartender, but acquiring training in these areas can demonstrate that you’re ready for a more senior position. Plus, you’ll be able to keep track of whether you have ingredients like olive juice or you require more alcohol, ensuring your bar runs smoothly.

Additional training can be a huge help in mastering your job or moving beyond it into management. It also demonstrates that you’re interested in learning more about your work and the art of hospitality, and that should be impressive to any manager.

Types of Bartender Training

As a bartender, you might experience a variety of training methods in order to build your trade and grow your skills. Different processes have different benefits, and each one also has its downsides. I’ll now outline the three types of bartender training that you may experience as you hone your craft.

On-The-Job Bartender Training 

Many bartenders learn the job simply by stepping behind the bar and starting to pour drinks. Alternatively, they start off as barbacks (assistants to bartenders) who make sure they have everything they need to keep operations running smoothly. 

The advantage of on-the-job training is that you get hands-on experience and a wage for your time. Plus, you can ask questions as they arise and get advice on the spot. You’ll also be well-versed in the specialties of your own work and aware of new drinks or menu items. 

The disadvantage of on-the-job training is that, depending on how much time other bartenders have to teach you, there may be gaps in your education. You also won’t receive a formal certification, and some of the skills you learn may not be applicable to other establishments.

Formal Bartender Training Programs 

There are plenty of formal bartender training programs and bartender schools worldwide. These programs offer the advantage of a formal curriculum, as opposed to only teaching what comes up on the job, and graduates have certifications that they can show to future employers. 

Formal training programs can also provide state-mandated certifications in areas such as food safety and sexual harassment prevention. Alcohol service certifications ensure bartenders understand their responsibilities when serving alcohol, which means they can offer a memorable and safe experience for customers. 

The disadvantage to formal training programs is that they may be expensive and require you to travel to another city. It may be worth checking in with your local chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild for recommendations.

Online Bartender Training 

An online training program allows you to learn on your own schedule in the privacy of your own home from some of the world’s best bartenders and mixologists. Courses are often free or affordable, and they can be an excellent supplement to real-world training if you already have a job.

The disadvantage of online bartending courses is that they may not have a hands-on component and that you may not have an opportunity to ask questions. These classes vary in terms of length and cost, but you can find some high-quality courses in the first section of this article.

How to Apply for a Bartender Job After Training

Once you’ve completed your training, it should be relatively simple to find yourself a bartending job. If you’ve participated in a formal training or certification program, you may even be offered a job once you graduate, and many of these programs provide resources to find jobs once you have your diploma.

You can apply for a bartending role in several ways. Here are the three ways I would recommend searching for a position:

1. Use Your Network: After formal training or online courses, you may find yourself with an established network of contacts and industry experts. Contact these people asking if anyone’s hiring or see if anyone knows of any vacant positions that may suit you.

2. Head to Job Boards: Online job boards are great ways to find local bartending jobs. Establishments advertise their open positions regularly, and there are always new roles available on job sites.

3. Visit Establishments in Person: If you have an idea of the type of bar or restaurant you’d like to work in, you can take your bartender's resume and deliver it directly to the establishments themselves. This shows initiative and demonstrates your eagerness to work at the specific place you’re applying to.

I suggest emphasizing your training and listing all your certifications on your resume as you look for a job placement. You could also use your extra training as leverage to get a promotion at your current workplace.

Hiring Skilled Bartenders for Your Establishment

Evidence of bartender training is highly desirable for bar owners and restaurant managers because it shows a commitment to the job and is an indication of advanced abilities. If you’re looking to add skilled bartenders to your front-of-house staff, here are some top tips on how to recruit and onboard new hires:

• Write a Training Manual: Creating a restaurant training manual will help your new recruits quickly learn your establishment’s processes and procedures. A solid employee handbook will speed up the onboarding process and give your new hires the right tools and information to perform well.

• Provide Constant Feedback: Always give consistent feedback and recognition to your new bar staff, offering guidance when needed and positive reinforcement when deserved. This will keep your new recruit on track and help them learn your establishment’s expectations and values.

• Run a Bartender Training Program: Running a bartender training program is an excellent way to train and hire the best up-and-coming bartenders. You can cover aspects like health and safety, free-pouring skills, and even offer accredited certifications to really attract top talent.

Following these tips can help you hire the best bartenders and reap the benefits. You’ll find that with better bartenders come bigger profits, more efficient operations, and improved staff engagement.

Final Thoughts

Training is a good idea if you want to become a bartender, whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced mixologist. Bartender training builds both hard and soft skills and ensures you stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies in the hospitality industry.

It’s always worth seeking out new training opportunities to improve your skills, excel in your position, and move up in the industry. Understanding restaurant tech, like the products offered by Toast, is a great place to start and can show your superiors that you’re truly dedicated to this job.

Toast products - like our POS system and catering events management software - can revolutionize restaurants and bars, helping you attract more customers and schedule operations with ease. Try a Toast demo today to see the vast benefits for yourself.

FAQs

Which course is best for bartenders?

Bartending courses vary in depth and price, so the best one for you will be one that suits your location and budget. For example, a free online course may suit you better than relocating to Europe for a six-week intensive bartending course. Formal training programs are best for covering all the skills but tend to cost more and have limited places.

Is bartending hard to learn?

Bartending is a skill, and it’s definitely possible to be bad at it. That said, bartending is easy once you have the right training. From time management and organization to mixology and food safety, getting the right experience and bartender training will make your job a whole lot easier. It’s therefore essential for prospective bartenders to start training as early as possible in their career.

How can I practice bartending?

Making cocktails and pouring drinks is the best way to practice bartending. Keep making drinks for yourself and your friends and family at home, and experiment with flavors and mixtures in your free time. This way, you can hone your skills in a pressure-free environment without the stress of everyone around you.

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