Whether you employ bartenders at a restaurant or bar or you bartend at your own bar, consider bartender training for all your bartenders -- even if it's not required in your state. Students learn much more than mixing drinks; many programs include classes in bar setup, customer service, money handling, inventory control, liquor laws and liability. Bartending classes help bartenders perform better, earn better tips and reduce your worry about employee turnover.

Several sources exist for bartender certification. To get the most out of training, send employees to accredited bartending classes. An accredited online bartending school offers bartenders all the knowledge they need. For the least expensive option, look for training DVDs you can order online.

1. Check your area's requirements for alcohol server certification (separate from bartender training), which you can also receive through bartending schools.

2. Course work alone won't cut it, so if employees can't properly set up a bar at home for training, either use your bar for training or look for local bartending schools where they can practice what they learn.

3. Typical bartender certification takes about 40 hours to complete, so exercise caution with bartending schools that cut corners to shorten their courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Send your employees to schools for bartending

Reasonable in price, bartending schools provide the instruction, personal attention and atmosphere for a well-rounded and effective bartender certification program.

I recommend: Contact the National Bartenders School location closest to you to enroll your employees or yourself in their next class; graduating requires a 90% grade on the written final exam and mixing 12 drinks in 7 minutes or less. Look for the National Bartenders Bartending School nearest you to sign up for their one-week course; they also offer a Flair Bartending course, bar management course and the Training for Intervention Procedures certification program to give bartenders and servers the tools to identify intoxicated patrons and stop them from driving.

Get training online through accredited bartending schools

You can definitely find legitimate and successful bartending schools online. These programs come reasonably priced, provide customer support and let students work at their own pace.

I recommend: Go to the Professional Bartending School website where you can view a demo of their online course before you actually register for it; this accredited bartending school developed the very first online bartending course in 1998 and promises a 100% satisfaction guarantee up to one month after passing the course. Visit Bartending College Online to enroll in their online bartending certification program that takes roughly 40 hours to complete. This online program from a nationally accredited vocational school registered in California offers bonus Flair Bartending video clips, toll free phone support, online chats, forums and email.

Increase employee knowledge with bartender training DVDs

If your state doesn't require certification and you need your bartenders working now, you can still help them improve their skills through bartending training DVDs. Many of these DVDs also provide an avenue for certification, leaving your options open.

I recommend: Visit the American Bartending Association website to order their free training DVD, join the ABA and take the certification test. Go to Bartend Now and purchase the bartending school video kit that includes a training DVD, bartending manual and online testing for bartending certification.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The minimum age for bartenders varies from state to state and ranges from 17 to 21, so check on the required age before you hire anyone. When you're checking, also verify whether your bartenders actually have to go through bartender certification, since many states don't require any formal training.