Today marks the end of my second day at ABC Bartending School. I'm doing an "intensive" program, to get the school done in half the time. They have a 2-week course, a one week, and weekend courses. For all of these they have morning, afternoon and evening classes. Lots of options for all schedules.
Tip: If you're thinking about going to bartender school, search around a bit within ABC's locations. For whatever reason, they have different prices in different geographic locations. (i.e. Palm Springs- $700, L.A.- $400, San Fransisco (San Leandro)-$200)
Tip: Try to go to a school in the winter. Go now if possible. I got a great deal since I signed up before the end of February. Closer to the summer, the price rises significantly for the same course due to increased demand.
Yesterday (Day 1) we went over lots of basics, and were mixing drinks within 20 minutes. (They have every bottle you can imagine, but each bottle/mixer is just colored water.) I understand how expensive it would be to use real alcohol, but throughout the day I kept wanting to try the drinks to see if I've made a decent concoction, or something you'd only drink if someone paid you.
We learned "the perfect pour" where you pour a perfect 1 ounce shot without a measuring utensil, and learned many, many basic drinks.
The entire time you're at ABC, except for a few short lectures, you are behind a simulated bar learning by doing. (the best way.)
Today we got into the nitty-gritty, and learned more technical drinks like cream drinks and the martini/Manhattan. After going over many technical tid-bits on making these drinks, we got to watch the instructor create each one ever-so-fluidly. (no pun intended.)
Note: The instructors can range from slightly knowledgeable bartenders-in-training, to veterans of the art who are currently employed.
Tip: What's great about this school's layout, is once you've signed up, you can take any class on any day that you like. SO, let's say you sign up for the first week of March. You can go on the first day, sit through all three classes they have that day, (one will be a repeat) and find which instructors you like, and which ones really know their stuff. This way, if you really wanted to get the most out of your bartending school experience, only come when that person is teaching.
As well, if you don't know enough or don't past your tests (written/practical) by the end of the term you signed up for, you can always come back that next week, and for as long as you need to so you pass the course. Even if you graduated years ago, bring in your proof of enrollment and you can come to refresh your skills.
As well again, they will help you with job placement for life, in any location possible. If you're in my situation, that REALLY helps. I can go to school in one area, and move down to L.A. next week and still have job placement assistance. Pretty nifty.
BUT, we'll soon see how much they help with actually getting you interviews. The term "job placement" is a general term and seems to be used pretty loosely among these schools. They may do no more than show you a newspaper listing that you could have seen yourself. I'm not knocking them or praising them YET... I'll let you know by next week how much they helped ME get a job.
Tip: Bring a LOT of water, and LOTS of food / snacks. If you're like me and eat A LOT, your gonna want lots of munchies while learning. Especially if you're doing an intensive course, (8-hour days with 1 hour for lunch) you'll need consistent brain food.
Tip: Bring a pillow or cozy hoody so you can comfortably take a quick nap in your car after lunch.
Tip: Bring at least two pens, you'll need 'em, and have a lighter on hand. I don't smoke but many of the bartending type do, and if you plan on becoming a bartender, you NEED to have a lighter on you at all times.
Today we also learned about your liability as a bartender. You are the face of the operation, and need to conduct yourself in certain ways. For example, if you can see that someone has had enough to drink, you should ask if they have a ride home, give them anything but more alcohol, and watch them carefully. If they go out and harm someone, it could result in a multi-million dollar wrongful death/injury lawsuit if you don't exercise extreme care.
Once you've learned your way around the bar, know where certain alcohol is and understand how to make drinks, the biggest/hardest part about becoming a mixologist is retaining each drink recipe and being able to make them quickly... most of the time, TWO at a time.
SO, you have to remember the drink recipes in the first place, then remember each one you need to make at the same time, (so you can multi-task, have both hands occupied, and double-pour when applicable) and keep your calm, cool poker face on while keeping an eye on everything around you. (loud music, people's interactions, which alcohol is low etc.)
All-in-all, I'd advise the average person to take the course over a two-week period, because even for those who think they can absorb everything in 5 days, will have a hard time, AND you must be 100% dedicated to retain that much information.
Until tomorrow.
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