Course Information

American Bartender’s School’s 40-hour, full-certification bartending course is designed to fully prepare you for a bartending job in New York City.

For more than 55 years, American Bartenders School has helped over 100,000 students gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to succeed in the hospitality industry. Since 1969, we’ve refined our training methods through decades of real-world experience, helping graduates launch bartending careers in New York City and beyond.

Our instructors are experienced bartenders and hospitality professionals who know what it takes to succeed behind the bar. Many are American Bartenders School graduates themselves, having built successful careers after attending the school years ago. Their experience and industry insight help ensure students receive practical, relevant training from professionals who have done the job themselves.

Our Goal

Our goal is simple: to take you from beginner to job-ready in just two weeks—even if you’ve never bartended before.

You won’t become an expert overnight, but you’ll develop the practical skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to step behind a bar and succeed in your first bartending job.

Once you complete your training, our Job Placement Department will help connect you with employment opportunities throughout the hospitality industry. We’ll cover that process in more detail below.

The Opportunity in Bartending & Hospitality

Bartending offers far more than just a job. It can provide income, flexibility, valuable connections, and opportunities for long-term career growth.

As a bartender, you may have the opportunity to earn high income through a combination of wages and tips, whether you’re looking for full-time work, part-time income, or a flexible side hustle. Along the way, you’ll meet people from all walks of life, build professional relationships, make lasting friendships, and become part of a vibrant hospitality community.

Some people bartend as a side hustle, but for many people, bartending is also a gateway to a larger career. Experienced bartenders often advance into roles such as Bar Manager, Restaurant Manager, Beverage Director, General Manager, corporate hospitality positions, or careers with major beverage brands and restaurant groups.

One of bartending’s greatest advantages is its flexibility and portability. Bartenders are needed in restaurants, bars, hotels, private clubs, event venues, casinos, resorts, cruise ships, and countless other hospitality businesses. The skills you learn can open doors in virtually any city—and in many cases, around the world.

40-Hour Full-Certification Bartender Course

Click on each section to learn more:

• Bar Set-Up & Introduction 

• Mixology: Drinks and Cocktails

• Beer and Wine Fundamentals

• Beer, Liquor and Wine History & Production

• Customer Service and Increasing Tips

• The Laws

• Lifetime Job Placement Assistance & Interview and Resume Skills

• Job Board and Lifetime Refresher

• How to Find Great Bartending Jobs, and How to Avoid the Bad Ones

Bar Set-Up & Introduction

Before learning to make drinks, every bartender must understand the workspace where those drinks are made. In this section, you’ll be introduced to the wet bar—the professional bartending station where you’ll spend much of your time throughout the course. A wet bar differs from a standard bar setup because it includes a sink with running water, allowing bartenders to prepare drinks efficiently while maintaining proper cleanliness and sanitation.

You’ll learn the standard layout of a professional bar, including the location and purpose of common tools, equipment, mixers, garnishes, glassware, and supplies. While every establishment is slightly different, most bars follow similar organizational principles. Understanding proper bar setup is essential for working quickly, efficiently, and confidently behind the bar.

We’ll also cover one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of bartending: cleanliness and bar maintenance. Professional bartenders are responsible for keeping their work area clean, organized, and sanitary throughout their shift. You’ll learn proper opening and closing procedures, bar breakdown and cleanup techniques, care of bar tools and equipment, handling wet materials, and best practices for maintaining a safe, professional environment. These habits not only help prevent germs and mold but also contribute to a smoother operation and a better guest experience.

Mastering bar setup and maintenance provides the foundation for everything that follows. Once your workstation is properly organized, you’ll be ready to begin learning the art and science of making great drinks.

Mixology: Drinks and Cocktails

Mixology: Drinks and Cocktails

As part of your bartender training, you’ll learn the art and science of mixing drinks, starting with the six major classifications of cocktails most commonly offered today. Understanding these categories, the key building blocks of each, and the techniques used to prepare them is essential to becoming a confident and skilled bartender.

1. Liquor & Mixed Drinks

These are the foundation of the cocktail world and include classics like the Manhattan. You’ll learn how to balance spirits with mixers, liqueurs, and garnishes to create well-rounded drinks that appeal to a wide range of customers.

2. Juice-Based Drinks

These popular cocktails, such as the Screwdriver, Madras, and Seabreeze, combine spirits with fruit juices to create refreshing and approachable drinks. Mastery of these recipes helps you serve high-volume bars efficiently while maintaining quality and consistency.

3. Martini-Style Cocktails

Often associated with upscale venues, martini-style drinks are now ordered in all types of bars, from casual restaurants to trendy cocktail lounges. You’ll learn proper shaking and stirring techniques, garnish presentation, and the subtle nuances that distinguish each variation.

4. Two-Liquor Drinks

Combining two spirits in one cocktail, these drinks are increasingly popular with customers seeking complexity and depth. You’ll learn how to balance multiple spirits without overpowering the drink’s flavor profile.

5. Shooters

Shot-style drinks are served in small glasses and are popular for parties and high-energy bar settings. You’ll practice quick, precise preparation methods to ensure consistency and speed, critical in fast-paced environments.

6. Sours

This category includes iconic drinks like the Sidecar and Margarita, where the balance of sweet, sour, and alcohol is key. You’ll learn proper techniques for combining citrus, sugar, and spirits to produce classic, crowd-pleasing cocktails.

Alongside these categories, the course will cover essential mixology skills: understanding the differences among spirits (whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, and more), mastering the techniques of shaking versus stirring, proper use of glassware, and the art of garnishing. By the end of this section, you’ll be able to confidently create a wide range of popular and timeless cocktails, giving you the foundation to succeed in any bartending environment.

Beer and Wine Fundamentals

While cocktails and spirits are a major part of bartending, beer and wine account for a significant percentage of beverage sales in many bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs, and event venues. A successful bartender must be comfortable discussing, serving, and recommending both with confidence.

As part of our 40-Hour Full Certification Course, students receive dedicated beer and wine instruction taught by industry professionals, including Certified Sommeliers and Certified Cicerones® (beer experts). These specialists spend their careers studying the production, service, tasting, and evaluation of wine and beer and bring that expertise directly into the classroom.

This portion of the course is not designed to make you a sommelier or beer expert. Instead, it gives you the practical knowledge needed to perform effectively in a real bartending environment. You’ll learn the major wine varietals, wine-producing regions, wine terminology, and the key differences between red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines. You’ll also learn proper wine service techniques, including opening bottles, presenting wine to guests, selecting appropriate glassware, serving temperatures, and basic food pairing principles commonly used in restaurants.

On the beer side, you’ll be introduced to the major beer styles and categories, including lagers, ales, IPAs, stouts, porters, wheat beers, and specialty craft beers. You’ll learn how beer is made, how to properly pour draft beer, maintain beer quality, understand common flavor profiles, and help customers choose a beer based on their preferences.

Most importantly, you’ll learn how beer and wine fit into the guest experience. Whether you’re recommending a Cabernet Sauvignon with a steak, suggesting an IPA to a craft beer enthusiast, or helping a guest navigate a restaurant’s beverage menu, these skills can improve customer satisfaction, increase tips, and make you a more valuable employee.

By the end of this section, you’ll have a strong foundation in beer and wine service, giving you the confidence to handle common guest questions and provide professional beverage recommendations in virtually any hospitality setting.

Customer Service and Increasing Tips

Making great drinks is only part of what makes a successful bartender. The other part is taking care of people.

In many establishments, a bartender’s earning potential is directly tied to their ability to create a positive guest experience. While wages vary by market and venue, experienced bartenders often earn substantial income through tips. In busy restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and event venues, skilled bartenders can earn hundreds of dollars in tips during a single shift.

Throughout this course, you’ll learn practical hospitality techniques designed to help you become more confident, professional, and effective behind the bar. We’ll discuss the fundamentals of guest interaction, communication, reading customer preferences, and creating an environment that encourages guests to return. These skills not only improve the customer experience but can also have a direct impact on your earning potential.

You’ll also learn the principles of suggestive selling and upselling—important skills used throughout the hospitality industry. Contrary to popular belief, effective upselling is not about pressuring customers into spending more money. It’s about making thoughtful recommendations that improve the guest experience. For example, suggesting a premium spirit, recommending a wine pairing, offering an appetizer alongside a cocktail, or introducing a guest to a signature drink can enhance their visit while increasing sales for the business. Hospitality organizations and beverage industry training programs consistently teach recommendation and upselling techniques as core service skills because they help guests discover products they may genuinely enjoy.

Another key topic covered in this section is building relationships with guests. Regular customers are often the foundation of a successful bar business, and bartenders who can create memorable experiences frequently develop loyal followings. Learning how to remember preferences, engage guests appropriately, and provide exceptional service can lead to repeat business, higher tips, stronger professional reputations, and increased opportunities for advancement.

The most successful bartenders understand that they are not simply making drinks—they are creating experiences. By combining technical bartending skills with strong hospitality and customer service abilities, you become more valuable to employers, more appreciated by guests, and better positioned for long-term success in the industry.

Beer, Liquor and Wine History & Production

Great bartenders do more than memorize drink recipes—they understand the products they serve. In this section, you’ll gain a practical understanding of the world’s most important beverage categories, including spirits, beer, and wine.

You’ll learn how major spirits such as whiskey, bourbon, scotch, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and brandy are produced, what makes them unique, and how their ingredients, production methods, and aging processes influence flavor. For example, you’ll learn why all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon, as well as the key differences between Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, and American rye whiskey.

The course also introduces the fundamentals of beer and wine production. You’ll explore how beer is brewed, the differences between ales and lagers, and the characteristics of popular styles such as IPAs, stouts, pilsners, and wheat beers. On the wine side, you’ll become familiar with major grape varietals, wine styles, wine-producing regions, and the factors that influence a wine’s taste and quality.

Just as importantly, you’ll learn how to communicate this knowledge to guests. Customers frequently ask questions, request recommendations, or want to understand the differences between products. A bartender who can confidently explain a bourbon, recommend a wine, or suggest a beer based on a guest’s preferences creates a better customer experience and often earns greater trust—and better tips.

This knowledge also makes you more valuable to employers. Bar managers, restaurant owners, and hospitality operators are constantly looking for staff members who can do more than simply pour drinks. Beverage knowledge demonstrates professionalism, increases your credibility with guests, and helps position you for advancement opportunities within the hospitality industry.

Whether you’re working in a neighborhood sports bar, a fine dining restaurant, a hotel lounge, a private club, or a craft cocktail bar, a strong understanding of spirits, beer, and wine will help distinguish you from less experienced bartenders and contribute to your long-term success in the industry.

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The Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Laws & Responsible Serving

Serving alcohol is both a privilege and a responsibility. Every professional bartender must understand the laws and regulations governing the sale and service of alcoholic beverages. In this section, you’ll be introduced to the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Laws, which regulate how alcohol is sold, served, and consumed throughout the state.

Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, New York established the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and created the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) to oversee the licensing and regulation of businesses that sell alcohol. Today, these laws affect virtually every aspect of a bartender’s job, from checking identification and recognizing valid forms of ID to understanding when alcohol service must be refused.

You’ll learn the legal responsibilities of bartenders and alcohol servers, including age verification, signs of intoxication, liability issues, responsible alcohol service practices, and the potential consequences of violating alcohol service laws. Understanding these regulations helps protect not only your employer’s liquor license but also your own professional reputation and employment opportunities.

In addition to alcohol service laws, you’ll learn important health, sanitation, and food safety practices commonly required in bars and restaurants throughout New York City. Topics include cleanliness standards, safe handling of beverages and garnishes, proper storage procedures, prevention of contamination, and maintaining a sanitary work environment.

These regulations may not be the most glamorous part of bartending, but they are among the most important. Employers expect bartenders to understand the legal and operational requirements of the job. A bartender who can serve guests professionally while maintaining compliance with state and local regulations is a valuable asset to any hospitality business.

By the end of this section, you’ll have a solid understanding of the legal, safety, and sanitation standards that help keep customers safe, businesses compliant, and bartenders successful.

Interview and Resume Skills

Learning how to bartend is only part of the journey. The ultimate goal is helping you turn your training into real employment opportunities.

Every graduate of American Bartenders School receives job placement assistance from our dedicated placement team. Unlike many training programs that end when class is over, our relationship with students continues long after graduation. We work with graduates to help them navigate the hiring process, present themselves professionally, and connect with employers throughout the hospitality industry.

As part of this training, you’ll learn how to build a professional hospitality resume that highlights your skills, training, and strengths in a way that appeals to hiring managers. You’ll also receive guidance on interview preparation, common bartending interview questions, professional presentation, and strategies for demonstrating confidence and competence during the hiring process.

Our team understands what employers are looking for because bars, restaurants, hotels, caterers, event venues, and hospitality businesses regularly contact us seeking trained bartenders. We help students position themselves effectively and communicate the value of their training to prospective employers.

Perhaps most importantly, American Bartenders School offers Lifetime Job Placement Assistance. Hospitality is a dynamic industry, and many bartenders change jobs, move to new neighborhoods, relocate to different cities, or return to bartending after time away. As a graduate, you can continue to access our job placement resources and private job opportunities throughout your career.

Since 1969, we have trained more than 100,000 graduates and built relationships throughout the hospitality community. That network is one of the most valuable benefits of becoming an American Bartenders School graduate. Whether you’re looking for your first bartending position, a better opportunity, a second job, seasonal work, or a fresh start years from now, our placement team remains a resource available to help support your career.

For many students, the education they receive lasts a few weeks. The career support and industry connections they gain can last a lifetime.

Job Board and Lifetime Refresher

Graduating from American Bartenders School gives you access to resources that extend well beyond the classroom.

Every graduate receives exclusive access to our private, password-protected job board, which features hospitality employment opportunities available only to American Bartenders School graduates. New positions are added regularly from bars, restaurants, hotels, catering companies, private clubs, event venues, and hospitality employers seeking trained bartenders.

Over the decades, American Bartenders School has developed relationships with thousands of hospitality businesses and industry professionals. Employers frequently contact us directly when they are looking for qualified candidates because they know our graduates have received professional training and hands-on experience. This network helps create opportunities for graduates who are entering the industry for the first time, as well as experienced bartenders looking for their next opportunity.

The support doesn’t end once you’ve landed a job. As an American Bartenders School graduate, you’ll also receive Lifetime Refresher Training. Graduates are welcome to return to the school at any time to practice their skills, review techniques, and regain confidence behind the bar.

This benefit is particularly valuable for students who step away from bartending for a period of time and later decide to return to the industry. Whether it’s been months or years since your last shift, you can come back, work behind our training bars, review recipes and procedures, and sharpen your skills before re-entering the workforce.

Many schools provide training. Few continue supporting their graduates for years—or even decades—after they leave the classroom. Our goal is not simply to help you complete a course; it’s to provide resources, opportunities, and support throughout your bartending career.

How to Find Great Bartending Jobs, and How to Avoid the Bad Ones

One of the biggest challenges for new bartenders isn’t learning how to make drinks—it’s finding the right place to work.

Not all bartending jobs are created equal. Some establishments offer excellent earning potential, professional management, growth opportunities, and positive work environments. Others may have high turnover, poor management, limited earning opportunities, or unrealistic expectations for new hires. As part of your training, we’ll help you understand the difference.

Every American Bartenders School graduate receives access to our private, password-protected job board, featuring opportunities from bars, restaurants, hotels, event venues, catering companies, private clubs, and hospitality employers seeking professionally trained bartenders. New opportunities are added regularly, providing graduates with a steady source of potential employment leads.

More importantly, we’ll teach you how to evaluate opportunities and make smart career decisions. You’ll learn what questions to ask during interviews, how to assess earning potential, what red flags to watch for, and how to identify establishments that invest in their employees and provide opportunities for advancement. Understanding these factors can make the difference between simply getting a job and building a rewarding career.

Over the years, American Bartenders School has developed relationships throughout the hospitality industry. Many employers contact us directly because they know our graduates have received hands-on training and understand the fundamentals of professional bartending. These relationships can help open doors that may not always be available through traditional job searches.

Your access to these resources doesn’t expire after graduation. Whether you’re looking for your first bartending position, searching for a higher-paying opportunity, relocating to a new city, picking up a second job, or returning to the industry years later, our placement resources remain available to you.

In addition to job placement assistance, graduates receive Lifetime Refresher Training. If you’ve been away from bartending for months—or even years—you can return to the school to review techniques, practice behind the bar, refresh recipes, and rebuild confidence before heading back into the job market.

Since 1969, more than 100,000 students have graduated from American Bartenders School. When you graduate, you’re not simply completing a course—you are joining a community and professional network built over decades. Our goal is not only to help you become a bartender, but to help you build a successful, long-term career in hospitality.

40-Hour Course Outline

Mixology Lectures: 8 hours
Liquor & Wine Lectures: 2 hours
Customer Service Lecture: 2 hours
ABC Laws & Sanitation Regulations: 1 hour
Lab (Mixology Practice): 27 hours

Total Hours: 40 hours

Class Schedule Options

All schedules include the same 40-hour Professional Bartending Certification. Choose the option that best fits your lifestyle and availability.

Part-Time Program (Most Popular)

2 Weeks | Monday–Friday | 4 Hours Per Day

• Morning: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Afternoon: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
• Evening: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Ideal for students balancing work, school, or family commitments.

Full-Time Accelerated Program

1 Week | Monday–Friday | 8 Hours Per Day

• Day: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Afternoon/Evening: 1:30 PM – 10:00 PM

The fastest path to certification and job readiness.

Saturday Program

5 Saturdays | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Perfect for students who prefer a weekend-only schedule.

Sunday Spanish Only Program

5 Sundays | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Flex Program

Need more flexibility? Mix and match class times to create a custom schedule that works around your life.

Ready to take the next step? 

The best way to determine whether American Bartenders School is right for you is to schedule a one-on-one visit. During your visit, you’ll meet our staff, tour the school, observe active students in training, and have the opportunity to sit in on a live class.

We encourage you to schedule your visit as soon as possible. To ensure every student receives plenty of hands-on instruction and individual attention, class sizes are intentionally kept small, and seats can fill quickly.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page or send us an email at info@barschool.com

American Bartenders School Location