Hey. I probably can't offer much relevant advice since I bartend in the UK,
but there are a couple things in your post I'd comment on...
First, if you lack experience, find yourself a small, easy bar to work in for
a little while. A newly opened place may be ideal - they'll need all the staff
they can get, and generally should have decent on-the-job training. Failing
that, find somewhere that can offer you free bartender training even if you
have to do "non-bartender" jobs like cleaning glasses, barbacking, etc. Even
if they don't end up employing you as a bartender, you WILL learn a lot about
how a bar runs, how to deal with customers, and hopefully make a few drinks
into the bargain.
You can always leave after a couple of months if it looks like you're being
taken advantage of, and it will be worthwhile.
Second, it's a bar managers dream to find staff who don't drink so much.
You'll never be drunk behind the bar, the stock will be ok when you're on, you
won't be nursing last night's hangover on a busy saturday shift, etc, etc. But
you will need to have some product knowledge, at least if you are going to
work in a proper cocktail bar. That is, you need to know that Jagermeister
will knock you out after a few shots. You need to know that Grey Goose will
make a better vodka martini than Absolut. Taste as many
spirits/liqueurs/cocktails as you can, so you'll be able to recommend them to
customers.
Anyways, my boss just got back & I'm on the work PC, so I'd best go.
Good Luck!