5 day International Bartenders Course

A bartender is a salesperson, so much of the job is making sure the quality of the products (drinks) and the speed of service matches the style and professionalism of the bartender. You cannot serve great drinks from a bar that is not clean or set up correctly. A bartender should know everything there is to know about a bar from cleanliness and set up to service and product knowledge. We aim to start you off on the right train tracks so you can improve your skills and learn whilst still serving great drinks

Most bartenders are still taught on the job and that is a fine way of learning if you have the mentorship and instruction from a good bartender. Unfortunately, many bars and restaurants do not have the time and energy to train their bartenders properly and most end up with very good knowledge of part of the job. A bartending course might seem expensive but if you count the amount you will earn over your career and the extra tips you will make serving great cocktails and having a better paid job, then it's an easy decision.

Many countries (Australia, most states in the USA) already have compulsory licensing for bartenders and most top end bars and restaurants will not even consider you unless you have years of experience or a bartending qualification. All the cruise ships insist on a qualification such as Shaker certificate before you can apply to them.

Check out the careers section on our knowledge page for more of our thoughts on why a bartending course is definitely worth it!

This is of course up to you, many of our students just want a job in a local bar to earn them some money through college or travelling, but some will choose to make this their career and for them the possibilities are endless. We do invite local bar and restaurant owner to our 'stress test' at the end of the week, and sometimes all the students have a job before they have finished the course. There are a lot more job opportunities than you realise. As well as getting jobs locally, many of our students travel to different countries to work as well as being able to work on Super yachts and cruise liners. Some of our students have gone on to set up their own cocktail bars, and one works as a bartender barista on one of the largest private yachts in the world (we can't tell you which one I'm afraid!)

Most definitely YES! We stock an impressive range of spirits and liqueurs (you could say we are collectors), which all students are encouraged to taste. When making cocktails we only use real ingredients, and all cocktails are tasted by the students and instructors. We are not a dry BarSchool!
This being said, all tasting is done in a professional and controlled manner and while students are encouraged to taste it is not necessary. We have a very strict policy on students arriving in an intoxicated state or becoming intoxicated during the course and you may be asked to leave the premises if this occurs.

The price includes everything you need: course material, a fully stocked bar with all the equipment & glassware. The only thing you will need to bring to class is your favourite pen. Lunch is not included in the course. Both schools are in the town centre very close to lots of different eateries. Students can also bring in their own lunch and we do have facilities for storage and warming.

No, all course material is provided, but you are more than welcome to bring any of your own cocktail books to the course if you wanted.

There are various practical tests and one written examination (instructor support is given for students with learning difficulties); Free-pouring accuracy tests are also available. We also monitor all students’ progress throughout the course on all practical and theoretical modules.

Sometimes nerves just get the better of you on the day. If you fail any of the exams, we can offer a retake which will include extra tuition and the exam retake. There is a small retake fee for this which is R 450 for practical & R350 for the written exam.