Do I need to go to bartending school to become a bartender?
Absolutly not! The next time your out at a bar or nightclub talk to the bartenders and ask if they went to bartending school. This should give you your answer. You can also contact the California ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) to confirm this.
www.abc.ca.gov

Do I need a liscense to bartend?
Not in California. There are a few handful of states that require bartenders to obtain a personal liscense, but for most states (like California) the only liscense required is the alcohol liscencing for the business itself.

You can also contact the California ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) to confirm this.
www.abc.ca.gov

How can I break into bartending?
Every bartender has their own way of breaking into the bartending industry. The most important thing to remember is that the only way you are going to get experience and learn is by actually doing it so be sure to take any job big or small when your starting out. (All of this is covered in the Behind The Bar training program)

Is it true that I can make at lease $100.00 a night bartending?
You can make a lot of money bartending but there are no gaurentees to how much you will make each night. There were some night’s I made $20.00 and some night’s $600.00, it depends on how much people are drinking and when your shift is scheduled. With that in mind be sure to work at a place that draws a lot of people that are going to be buying drinks.

I applied to be a bartender, but was only offered a barbacking position. Is this a good opportunity?
Absolutly! Barbacking will give you the opportunity to work behind the bar and get acquainted with how things work. The best part about this job is that when an opening happens you will be in a great spot to slide right in.

Are there any certifications or liscensing I can get to help me?
While there are no liscencing requirements for California there are some great programs in Alcohol Prevention. I would strongly recommend all bartenders to take such a course since there have been many instances when a bartender has been personally sued for serving an intoxicated person who then leaves their bar and injures themselves or someone else.

The two following links are about law suits regarding alcohol being served to someone that is intoxicated.
dwb.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/story/14316644p-15231535c.html
www.queenstribune.com/feature/LessonsInLibations-Servers.html

The following two links offer courses and information on Alcohol Prevention Services.
The California ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) offers a course
www.abc.ca.gov/programs/lead_training.html

The TIPS (Training In Prevention Services) offers a great course and provides a certification upon completion
www.gettips.com