Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does the course take?

Q2. Do you use real liquor?

Q3. How much do bartenders earn?

Q4. What happens if I can't be in class because of a scheduling conflict?

Q5. What happens if I can't learn it all in 1 or 2 weeks?

Q6. Will the school help me find a job?

Q7. Will the school help me find more than one job?

Q8. How old do you have to be to bartend?

Q9. What about taking an Online Course?

Q10. What about ad’s I see in the paper that say “Bartending up to $500 - no experience necessary” and give you an 800# to call?

Q11. Do I need alcohol awareness training to bartend?

Q12. How can I attend additional classes?

Q1. How long does the course take?
The course is a 40 hour class which is the standard for bartender training across the nation. We use this course to train thousands of bartenders at all of our schools nationwide.
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Q2. Do you use real liquor?
No, but we have carefully simulated the actual colors and mixing qualities of the liquors.
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Q3. How much do bartenders earn?
Bartenders earn a salary and tips. The amount of money bartenders earn depends on three things: their customer service skills, the number of customers they serve, and if they like dealing with the public.
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Q4. What happens if I can't make the hours of the class because of a scheduling conflict?
Special schedules can be worked out.
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Q5. What happens if I can't learn it all in 1 or 2 weeks?
Don't worry. You can stay as long as you like, at no additional charge. We want you to be totally confident in your bartending skills.
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Q6. Will the school help me find a job?
We have an excellent job placement service with 25 years of placement history whose only objective is to obtain you a bartending job.
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Q7. Will the school help me find more than one job?
Yes, as a graduate you can use the placement service whenever you need it.
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Q8. How old do you have to be to bartend?
Twenty-seven states allow you to mix, serve, and sell alcohol when you're 18 years old. The other states have age requirements that range from 19-21 years old. Sometimes individual cities and townships establish their own age requirements. Below is a list of states and their age requirements to bartend.

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Q9. What about taking an Online Course?
99.9% of all online courses are not licensed and not recognized throughout the United States by any state board. All Bartending Schools must be licensed by the Board of Education in their particular state of residence (except in North Carolina where licensing is not required).

Remember, taking a class at one of our 21 bartending schools gives you hands on experience and repetition from an instructor calling out drinks to the class to build speed, knowledge, and confidence. You cannot receive this kind of training from an online course. Plus, ABC Bartending Schools provide job placement assistance. Always beware of any online course that says they can place you without ever seeing you bartend.
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Q10. What about ads that I see in the paper that say “Bartending up to $500 - no experience necessary” and give you an 800# to call?
It’s a scam, you just lost your money! Don’t give them your credit card number.
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Q11. Do I need alcohol awareness training to bartend?
Some establishments require employees to take alcohol awareness training. This is separate from bartender training and is very easy. If it's needed in your state, you can get this training after you have started working. You can call your liquor control board in the blue pages to find out the requirements (if any) in your area.

• Many states do not require formal alcohol awareness training.
• Some states require simple training, which usually involves reading a book that is a couple of pages long and signing your name to show that you have taken the course.
• Some cities and townships require special alcohol awareness training.
• ABC Bartending also provides Alcohol Awareness training and guidance where training is required.

Below is a color-coded list of states and their alcohol awareness training status. Keep in mind that some cities and municipalities set their own requirements. Also, some establishments require alcohol awareness training to lower their insurance rates.

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Q12. How can I attend additional classes?
Just give us a call at 1-888-262-5824 and talk with the school location that’s closest to you.
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