Right now, i have relatives in several places. Maryland and Philadelphia. I
live right near albany, new york. I have seen big prices differences in
different areas for bartending schools. I know the Maryland Academy they
charge like $640. I heard of one guy near Virginia Beach say in his area the
classes cost $450. In my area it is $250.
I wonder if it would really make a difference if I went to bartending school
in my area and moved elsewhere? I mean in my area I can see the charge is
like the lowest so far from what i have seen. Or I should really try to go to
the bartending school where I will most likely live for a while because the
placement is a lot better? If it really does not matter where I attend school
in terms of getting a job than I will go to school here.
I mean I am not keen on spending a lot of money. I know it can really be hard
to get into bartending without restaurant experience or bar experience. That
is why I am planning on going to bartending school. I mean I have done a
little research myself. I have talked to restaurants. They all seem to only
hire servers from within unless they had several years of outside experience.
I heard TGI Fridays makes everyone even if the bartender has experience become
a server first.
But than I met like 3 or 4 individuals who went to bartending school and had
no experience in restaurant work or bartending. Who are working as
bartenders. I met one guy who is now a restaurant manager said he went to
bartending school in Colorado and spent like $300 to $500 I think and he said
he made his money back within a few days.
I have heard about how the best bartenders come from the waitstaff and
bussers and all that. But I also hear from a friend of mine that waiting
tables is something that is not the most difficult thing in the world. I
realize not everyone is cutout to be a server. Well waiting tables is
something I will have to try out on my own.
I realize it is possible to get a bartending job without going to school or
without having restaurant experience. I am thinking without experience it will
be very very hard. I have tried getting a job with no experience. I dont want
to try that again.
Any insight would be welcome.
Parag Shah
sjaykum1[at]nycap.rr.com