LBS Staff ► LBS Bartending School https://localbartendingschool.com/top Articles Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:22:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 How Old do I Have to be to Work as a Barback? https://localbartendingschool.com/top/how-old-to-work-as-a-barback/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-old-to-work-as-a-barback Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:10:50 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=10757 The legal age to work as a barback varies by state, as it is determined by both federal and state labor laws. What is a Barback? A barback typically works in a bar setting, assisting bartenders by restocking supplies, cleaning, and performing other tasks. How Old Do I Need to Be to Work as a […]

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The legal age to work as a barback varies by state, as it is determined by both federal and state labor laws.

 

What is a Barback?

A barback typically works in a bar setting, assisting bartenders by restocking supplies, cleaning, and performing other tasks.

 

How Old Do I Need to Be to Work as a Barback?

Because this role often involves being in a place where alcohol is served, the age requirements can be different depending on the state. Below is a breakdown of the minimum age required to work as a barback in each state:

Alabama

  • Minimum Age: 19

Alaska

  • Minimum Age: 21

Arizona

  • Minimum Age: 19

Arkansas

  • Minimum Age: 19

California

  • Minimum Age: 18

Colorado

  • Minimum Age: 18

Connecticut

  • Minimum Age: 18

Delaware

  • Minimum Age: 18

Florida

  • Minimum Age: 18

Georgia

  • Minimum Age: 18

Hawaii

  • Minimum Age: 18

Idaho

  • Minimum Age: 19

Illinois

  • Minimum Age: 18

Indiana

  • Minimum Age: 19

Iowa

  • Minimum Age: 18

Kansas

  • Minimum Age: 18

Kentucky

  • Minimum Age: 20

Louisiana

  • Minimum Age: 18

Maine

  • Minimum Age: 17

Maryland

  • Minimum Age: 18

Massachusetts

  • Minimum Age: 18

Michigan

  • Minimum Age: 18

Minnesota

  • Minimum Age: 18

Mississippi

  • Minimum Age: 18

Missouri

  • Minimum Age: 18

Montana

  • Minimum Age: 18

Nebraska

  • Minimum Age: 19

Nevada

  • Minimum Age: 21

New Hampshire

  • Minimum Age: 18

New Jersey

  • Minimum Age: 18

New Mexico

  • Minimum Age: 19

New York

  • Minimum Age: 18

North Carolina

  • Minimum Age: 18

North Dakota

  • Minimum Age: 19

Ohio

  • Minimum Age: 19

Oklahoma

  • Minimum Age: 18

Oregon

  • Minimum Age: 18

Pennsylvania

  • Minimum Age: 18

Rhode Island

  • Minimum Age: 18

South Carolina

  • Minimum Age: 18

South Dakota

  • Minimum Age: 18

Tennessee

  • Minimum Age: 18

Texas

  • Minimum Age: 18

Utah

  • Minimum Age: 21

Vermont

  • Minimum Age: 18

Virginia

  • Minimum Age: 18

Washington

  • Minimum Age: 18

West Virginia

  • Minimum Age: 18

Wisconsin

  • Minimum Age: 18

Wyoming

  • Minimum Age: 18

Note: While these ages are the general minimums for working as a barback, specific establishments may have their own policies requiring a higher minimum age. Additionally, local laws or ordinances may impose different age requirements.

 

Does a Barback Make Drinks?

No.  A Barback only assists and would need a bartending certification in order to create cocktails. 

 

Is The Age to Barback in a State the Same as the Age to Bartend?

In many cases, states require bartenders to be 21, but allow barbacks to be just 18.  Every state is different.

 

Can a Minor Work in a Restaurant With a Bar in it? Not as a Bartender or Anything, Just as a Waiter or Something.

Yes,  State laws only apply to the handling of alcohol.  Minors can work in a variety of functions in a facility where alcohol is served.
 

Can a Barback Make as Much Money as a Bartender?

No.  Bartenders may share their tips with a barback.  However, bartenders typically ear more tips and a higher salary.

 
 
Prior to becoming a barback, you may want to consider bartending school.
 
 

The post How Old do I Have to be to Work as a Barback? first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> How to Look Smart When Ordering a Cocktail https://localbartendingschool.com/top/how-to-look-smart-when-ordering-a-cocktail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-look-smart-when-ordering-a-cocktail Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:41:32 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=10293 Your local watering hole—the bar. It’s a place to relax and unwind with friends, a place to have a good time, and maybe even meet up with new people along the way. But if you’re not careful, it can also be a place where you end up pissing someone off. And that person could be […]

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Your local watering hole—the bar.

It’s a place to relax and unwind with friends, a place to have a good time, and maybe even meet up with new people along the way.

But if you’re not careful, it can also be a place where you end up pissing someone off. And that person could be your bartender—and trust me, they don’t like it. Neither will you! Your local watering hole could turn into a festering ground for annoyance and really bad cocktails.

To help you stay out of the doghouse (or at least make sure your drink arrives properly made), here are some phrases that annoy bartenders everywhere.

Ways To Sound Smart

  1. Order the exact liquor.  “Johnny Walker, Blue Label on the Rocks”
  2. Order the exact number of ice cubes: “”Johnny Walker, Blue Label on the Rocks, with One Ice Cube”
  3. Order top-end liquors.  “Johnny Walker, Blue Label.”  Everyone knows it’s amazing, and you’ll sound like you know what you’re talking about.
questions-that-make-a-bartender-mad-or-annoyed

7 Phrases That Make You Seem Uneducated

"What's On Special?"

Listen, bartending is an art form, not a menu. If there are specials written up on the board or on the menu, great! But asking what’s on special every time you come in is just going to get old fast.

Trust us, if we have something special that night, we’ll let you know about it!

"Can I Have a...(long list of ingredients)?"

This one might sound familiar—it’s the infamous “bartender’s choice.” Sure, we can try our best to craft something delicious for you based on those ingredients…but chances are it won’t be quite what you were expecting! Save yourself some disappointment and stick to ordering classic cocktails off the menu instead.

"I'll Have What He/She Is Having"

We get it—sometimes someone orders something that looks so good that you just have to have it too! That said, please don’t simply point at someone else’s drink and tell us “I’ll have what he/she is having.” Not only does this put unnecessary pressure on us to remember what their order was (especially if they ordered several drinks!), but how do we know that particular cocktail is going to be good for YOU? After all, everyone has different tastes!

"I'm not sure, just surprise me."

Again, this shows a lack of thought on your part and puts the bartender in an uncomfortable position. It’s always best to have at least some idea of what you want to drink before you approach the bar. That way, the bartender can make a recommendation based on your preferences instead of just guessing.

Bonus! Here’s a video that will give you and anyone who goes out to eat at a bar or restaurant a solid guide on how to not annoy a server, or you, the bartender.

"I don't like (insert liquor here), so just make something with (insert different liquor here)."

This one is just annoying because it shows that you don’t know what you’re talking about. If you don’t like a certain liquor, chances are good that you won’t like anything made with it either. It’s always best to be specific about what you do and don’t like so that the bartender can make a more informed decision about what to make for you.

"Can I get a (insert drink here) with a twist?"

This one isn’t necessarily annoying, but it does show that you’re not familiar with the drink you’re ordering. A twist is simply a piece of citrus peel that is used as a garnish, so asking for one in your drink is unnecessary and will likely just confuse the bartender. If you want a twist in your drink, just ask for it without specifying what kind of drink you want it in.

"I'll have a (insert drink here), but can you make it weak/strong?"

This is another one that isn’t necessarily annoying, but it shows that you’re not familiar with the drink you’re ordering. Asking for a drink to be made weak or strong simply means that you want more or less of the liquor in it, which is something that most bartenders will automatically do anyway. If you want your drink to be made specifically weak or strong, just ask for it and specify the amount of the alcohol (just one shot of the vodka, not two).

Speaking Not Required: Ways to Sound Dumb Without Words

Making a bartender’s night harder than it needs to be is pretty simple. So easy, you can actually do it without using words at all.

From reaching out across the bar and screaming your order to snapping your fingers for service, or even just simply not having your order ready, bartenders have enough to deal with already.

Overstaying your welcome at the bar is a practical foolproof way of making sure that the bartender wants you gone ASAP – especially if you decide to play loud music for yourself/your party.

And last but not least, there’s never anything more annoying than placing an order and then disappearing before collecting it – don’t be that person!

Here’s a list to break things down for everyone:

Making a bartender’s night harder than it needs to be is pretty simple. So easy, you can actually do it without using words at all. 

From reaching out across the bar and screaming your order to snapping your fingers for service, or even just simply not having your order ready, bartenders have enough to deal with already.

Overstaying your welcome at the bar is a practical foolproof way of making sure that the bartender wants you gone ASAP – especially if you decide to play loud music for yourself/your party. 

And last but not least, there’s never anything more annoying than placing an order and then disappearing before collecting it – don’t be that person! 

Here’s a list to break things down for everyone:

How To Sound Like a Connoisseur

“I’ll Have a Double-shot of Johnny Walker, Blue Label, Neat” 

Neat means without ice.

 

“I’ll Have a Tom Collins.”

Many order Gin & Tonics.  Instead, try more rare drinks like a Tom Collins.

 

“I’ll Have a French 75.”

This is one for the ladies.  If you’re looking for a strong drink, skip the Long Island.  Go for something more feminine, a combination of brandy/gin/vodka then topped with bubbles.  Order and it will make you sound like an expert.

 

 

Actions That Make You Look Not Smart in the Bar

  • Play with your straw. Those straws were meant for drinking, not your disgusting hand.
  • Constantly check your phone. 
  • Occupy a barstool for an unpaying object or child. Unless the entire bar is empty, please don’t plan to use the barstool for anything except a human butt that is of age and can tip a bartender properly. 
  • Send your drink back multiple times. Send it back once, that’s fine. But a few times? Just order something else–you don’t like the cocktail. 
  • Throw money at the bartender instead of tipping properly. Unless your bartender or server consents to your throwing of money, this is just rude. Hint: You’re not a club!
  • Ignore the bartender. There’s a fine balance of being courteous and annoying. Interact with us, but don’t ignore us like we’re robots. 
  • Snap your fingers or wave to get attention. Use your words! You’re an adult. You should know them by now, right?
  • Play loud music for yourself or your party. The music at a bar or restaurant is typically picked for a reason. And you’re not the paid D.J., are you? 
  • Stay a long time, AKA “camping”. If you plan to stay a while, just tip accordingly for the time spent at the table. 
  • Not being ready with an order.
  • Interrupt with a bartender is talking with someone else.
  • Make a weird amount of eye contact. If you need something, yes—you’re allowed to look at me a little longer. But don’t stare at me over the rip of your glass while I’m washing dishes. That’s just weird. 
  • Use passive communication methods. Just tell me what you want. What you really, really want.
  • Snack out of our fruit tray. That’s gross. Keep your dirty paws out!
  • Rip up your napkin or coaster. I get it, you’re nervous about the date. Unless you plan to clean your confetti, please tear the paper up like a puppy at your own house!
ways-to-annoy-a-bartender

Be Smarter with the Help of Local Bartending School

At the end of the day, we want all of our customers to feel welcome in our bar and enjoy their experience.

Plus, nobody likes going to bars and clubs only to encounter grumpy bartenders.

Luckily, there is a way for you to prevent that from happening.

Knowing which phrases and behaviors actively annoy bartenders can help you keep yourself out of trouble the next time you hit up your favorite watering hole.

And if you want to learn more about the ins and outs of being a bartender, consider taking classes at Local Bartending School—not only will it help other customers enjoy their experience even more, but it could also help you make some extra money on the side!

So don’t let fear keep you away; break down any barriers between yourself and a pleasant bar experience by not annoying your bartender.

We want to hear from you! What’s the most annoying thing to happen to you while bartending? Post in the comments below or find us on Instagram to send us a direct message.

The post How to Look Smart When Ordering a Cocktail first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> Top 10 Ways To Make More In Tips As A Bartender https://localbartendingschool.com/top/top-10-ways-to-make-more-in-tips-as-a-bartender/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-ways-to-make-more-in-tips-as-a-bartender Thu, 02 Sep 2021 21:43:45 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=8214 Why did you get into bartending? Maybe it was for the extra bucks, may be due to the fact that you are a beer person who has always imagined working at that brewery that you have been eying since you started to appreciate the fine art of beer.  Or maybe the reason was to get […]

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Why did you get into bartending? Maybe it was for the extra bucks, may be due to the fact that you are a beer person who has always imagined working at that brewery that you have been eying since you started to appreciate the fine art of beer.  Or maybe the reason was to get more girls. Or maybe you like being the life of the party.

For whatever reason, the reason evolves with time. If you liked it because you liked being the life of the party, that might get old but one thing that always remains and that will never lose its appeal is that every time you walk out of the bar every night, you have some money in your pocket at the end of the night no matter how broke you walked in.

How Much Money Is Too Much?

Based on where you work, a low-end restaurant/bar can bring in about 200Dollars a night which is pretty cool but on busier hotel bars something between 400-450 dollars is pretty cool.

Do you want to bring in more? You can start to consider some really upscale cocktail bars and restaurants or even top tier casinos where on a normal night, 500 dollars is okay, but on a more grand night, more than 1000 dollars can easily come in.

How can you bring in the green?

Dress The Part

No matter where you work, be it a resort, classy bar or some punk rock club, always dress the part.  Make sure that your clothes are clean. Make sure you are well put together and this will give you the confidence to give you that you need, the extra tip. No one wants to be served by a sweaty bartender.

Spark Some Conversation

Do not be scared to speak to your customers.  Make sure that they do not only talk to you but also to each other. Introduce them to each other. I mean you cannot talk to all people at the bar at the same time or can you?

Bring In The Charm

Bartending is all about the charm and charismatic personality. It is through this charisma that people keep on coming back. You will need to be fun, outgoing and a really good listener. You will need to have some great stories that will rock your people. Remember to always compliment.

Learn To Enjoy Your Job

The reason why bartending is one of the best jobs is because you get to meet and talk to new people all the time. One thing that is always unique about a bartender, everyone loves the booze supplier. Happiness is contagious, if you happy, your customers will be happy and the cheer spirit will definitely be felt in the bar.

Be Clean

Make sure that your bar surface and service is clean, so are your cocktail glasses and shakers.

Have Some Style

You will need to add some flair. You can start slow with some fancy looking paper napkins and straws. You can then up to some cool glassware, tins, and bottles.  If you are not already doing some flair, why don’t you give it a try?

Know Your Customers

Always acknowledge new customers as they walk into your bar. They will keep coming back again and again if they feel appreciated by you especially if you take the time to know their name and their usual drink.

The Power Of Suggestion

To get that extra zing, you will need to know your menu better than anyone else, other bartenders, the manager, waiters and everyone else. Know the ingredients in your drinks so that you can be able to easily suggest a drink for your guests based on what they ordered first.

Know When To Give A Freebie

A bar, of course, is not a place to give free booze, but any good bartender and manager know the need to give a free drink to a new guest or the longtime regulars. For the new guys, it will be giving a good reason as to come back as for the old customers, it is a sign of appreciation for their business.

Keep Your Service Excellent

This is a no-brainer for any person in the service industry. Do not complain about the tip you given because you ignored your customers, were rude or gave sloppily made drinks. Make sure you treat your customers like family, ensure anyone who has had a little bit too much for the road gets home safely.

Be friendly, make everyone happy be entertaining and do your job really well. This is secret to making great tips.

The post Top 10 Ways To Make More In Tips As A Bartender first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> Top 7 Reasons Why You Need Bartending School https://localbartendingschool.com/top/top-7-reasons-why-you-need-bartending-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-7-reasons-why-you-need-bartending-school Thu, 02 Sep 2021 21:10:13 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=8203 You might want a change in career or maybe learning on how to mix cocktails so that you can impress your buddies at a cocktail that you have thrown or get a promotion at the current place of work, bartending can be something to consider. Though it is more practical than book knowledge, lets us […]

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You might want a change in career or maybe learning on how to mix cocktails so that you can impress your buddies at a cocktail that you have thrown or get a promotion at the current place of work, bartending can be something to consider.

Though it is more practical than book knowledge, lets us take a dive and see some of the reasons why you need to get into Bartending School

Learn something new, fun and acquire a new set of skill

Bartending might look like the easiest thing to do but it requires a wide set of skill that included but not limited to cocktail technique, knowledge of the spits and even hosting. If you can learn these skills then you will definitely enjoy career success at bartending but also in other parts of your life.

Being a bartender means you a friend, a business person, as well as a sales persons all, rolled in one. Your customers need to have a confidante, making friendships as well as get some money in your pocket.

Where else can you be able to practice these skill other than at a bartending school to your classmates?

Networking

This is the perfect place to meet up people who have same interests as you and also get to network. You never know where you will meet these people after Bartending School.

Learn with professionals

Bartending is one job that requires you to be all hands on. Yes, all the YouTube videos and books are good, but there is something about a teacher. A person who will point out a bad skill or spot a bad habit and ensure that you do not pick it up when you leave the class.

Understand the laws

If there is one thing that is majorly overlooked by self-teaching bartenders is the laws that govern alcoholic beverage handling and also handling to your customers as well. For example, in New York, there is the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABC) which was made in 1993. Consequently, the State Liquor Authority and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control were formed as a result of the ABC Law. The aim of this law was to “give protection, health, welfare, and safety of the people of the state.”

These departments and laws are in charge of the liquor license, inspections and the general regulation process of the bar industry. You also get to learn about the Dram Shop Laws which differ from state to state. These laws are about serving alcohol to a person who is already drunk and gets behind the wheel. In some cases, the Dram Shop Law, the bar can be held liable if it serves alcohol to a person who is already drunk.

Where else can you learn more on this learn this than through a bartending school with tons of experience who has seen it all?

How to do the correct pour

Spillages and over pouring are considered serious problems in the bartending industry. Some companies have even gone to having robots to help reduce the cost associated with them.

The correct pour can mean the difference between getting 10 drinks from a bottle and 20 from the same bottle. With time, these costs start biting into the bar. The practice pours in the bar is something else compared to a bartending school where you can practice pouring without the term “cost” coming up.

Gives you bragging rights

When you are the bartender, you are the expert in all matters alcohol at your bar. So do not be shocked when a customer looks up at you and go like, what is the difference between a scotch whiskey and Irish whiskey? As the bartender, expect this questions.

One of the ways you can be able to impress your clients is by knowing your drink and know it really well. If you are not well informed you making a rather poor impression of yourself and the bar as well. This will also help create a good rapport with your clients.  Know what you working with, the difference in texture, palettes, barrel-aging processes just to mention a few.

The best place you can learn this and more is at a bartending school.

Get to know about the top drinks

The best thing about Bartending School is that you learn what the best in the drink industry is.  You will learn some history, the ingredients about the drinks and the best technique when making and serving them as well.

The best place to gain some hands-on skill on making killer cocktail is at the Bartending School.

Apart from these reasons, you will also get to build up your confidence behind the bar, give a backing to your bartending skill through certification, show dedication at what you do and also be part of a great and fun community.

The post Top 7 Reasons Why You Need Bartending School first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> Best Movies About Bartending https://localbartendingschool.com/top/best-movies-about-bartending/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-movies-about-bartending Mon, 14 Jun 2021 11:31:57 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=7852   While not every day on the job as a bartender is going to be movie-worthy, these are some of the best films about bartending. If you are a future bartender, then the following movies will inspire, educate and entertain you.   ➡️➡️➡️ Our All-Time Favorite Movies:   👉 Coyote Ugly (2000) Featuring:  Piper Perabo, Maria […]

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While not every day on the job as a bartender is going to be movie-worthy, these are some of the best films about bartending.

If you are a future bartender, then the following movies will inspire, educate and entertain you.

 

➡➡➡ Our All-Time Favorite Movies:

 

👉 Coyote Ugly (2000)

coyote ugly bartending movie

Featuring:  Piper Perabo, Maria Bello, Melanie Lynskey

 This raunchy and wild film makes for a fun ride. Violet Sanford (played by Piper Perabo) is an aspiring songwriter who stumbles upon a women-ran NYC bar. She eventually gets a bartending job there, where things take off.

Why This Movie Rocks?

  • Recent film
  • Bartender lifestyle
  • Fun movie

 

 

👉 Cocktail (1988)

cocktail movie

Featuring a young Tom Cruise in his early acting days, Cocktail features a young 20-something trying to make ends meet.

Protagonist Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) turns to bartend and learns under Doug Coughlin (played by Bryan Brown) in hopes of becoming a thriving bartender during the 1980s.

Why This Movie Rocks?

  • Tom Cruise
  • Classic movie
  • Bartender lifestyle

 

 

👉 The Drop (2014)

the drop film

Featuring: Greg Joelson, John Savage, Kat Ogden

Having a more serious tone, the great James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) acts in his final film with The Drop. The movie follows an ex-boxer named Bob Saginowski (played by Tom Hardy) who decides to take on the ownership of a bar in Brooklyn. After purchasing the bar from his cousin, Marv (James Gandolfini), he is sent on a journey of crime, chaos, and debauchery.

  • Great movie for bar owners

 

 

 

👉 Casablanca (1942) 

casablanca movie

Featuring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains

Winner of 3 Academy Awards.  By far the most iconic movie featuring the great Humphrey Bogart (many of his bartending quotes are famous, too), Casablanca won Best Picture in 1944. The movie is centered around a nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) who wants to protect an old girlfriend and her husband from invading Nazis.

  • Classic film for every aspiring bartender

 

 

👉 Trees Lounge (1996)

Written, directed, and starring Steve Buscemi, this film takes us into the possible dark sides of bars and drinking. Tommy (Steve Buscemi) plays a self-destructive alcoholic whose life revolves around the Trees Lounge, a local bar.

  • The bad side of drinking

👉 Lost In Translation (2003)

lost in translation movie

Featuring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi

Focusing more on the drinkers at a bar than the bartenders themselves, this great movie is still a must-watch for every aspiring bartender. Featuring the incredible Bill Murray alongside the beautiful Scarlett Johansson, the story shows us a chance encounter between two individuals at a bar in Tokyo – and the unsuspecting relationship that slowly begins to take shape between them.

  • All-star cast
  • Bill Murray
  • Scarlett Johansson
  • Oh, and did we mention love 🙂

 

 

 

 

👉 Hey Bartender (2013)

hey bartender

Featuring: Steve Schneider, Steve Carpentieri, Jim Meehan

Hey Bartender, a critically acclaimed documentary, is too good not to list here.

The documentary gives us an inside look at the most exclusive bars in New York.

This movie features interviews with some of the world’s most renowned bartenders – as well the “comeback of the cocktail.”

  • Documentary, technically not a “movie”
  • Educational

 

 

 

 

What did you think of our choices?  We’d love to hear from you.  Did we leave out any other classic films?  Fill out the form below

The post Best Movies About Bartending first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> 10 Tiki Cocktails for Summer – Beyond the Mai Tai https://localbartendingschool.com/top/10-tiki-cocktails-for-summer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-tiki-cocktails-for-summer Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:59:36 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=7844 Tiki cocktails had a glorious heyday in the 1940’s and 50’s, but fell out of fashion into a campy, joke-version of themselves after that. But the cocktail renaissance of the last fifteen years or so is rescuing tiki-style drinks and coming back to their original roots: lots of flavors layered together in a balanced and […]

The post 10 Tiki Cocktails for Summer – Beyond the Mai Tai first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> Tiki cocktails had a glorious heyday in the 1940’s and 50’s, but fell out of fashion into a campy, joke-version of themselves after that. But the cocktail renaissance of the last fifteen years or so is rescuing tiki-style drinks

and coming back to their original roots: lots of flavors layered together in a balanced and complex way, and fresh, creative ingredients. Here are recipes for ten classic tiki cocktails, mostly from the 1940’s Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber days, revitalized and updated for the modern cocktail palate.

  1. The Jungle Bird

    Cooking at NY Times

    Cooking at NY Times

Recipe: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016228-jungle-bird

Jungle Birds deserve at least the reputation of Mai Tais, and are starting to get it. Simple but layered, this version uses bold blackstrap rum for extra oomph.

Key Elements:

  • Blackstrap Rum
  • Pineapple

The Bermuda Rum Swizzle

Liquor.com

Liquor.com

Recipe: http://www.liquor.com/recipes/bermuda-rum-swizzle/#gs.904t4rI

Ultimately, tiki is about rum, and nothing brings it out like the Bermuda Rum Swizzle. This version blends two rums to highlight it.

Key Elements:

  • Rum
  • Pineapple juice
  • Apple juice

The Ancient Mariner

Serious Eats

Serious Eats

Recipe: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/04/ancient-mariner-navy-grog-tiki-rum-cocktail-recipe.html

The Ancient Mariner includes a spicy and unexpected allspice dram to blend and counterpoint all that refreshing fruit flavor.

Key Elements:

  • Allspice dram
  • Rum
  • Lime juice
  • Grapefruit juice

 

The Scorpion

Kitchen Riffs

Kitchen Riffs

Recipe: http://www.kitchenriffs.com/2013/08/the-scorpion-cocktail.html

The Scorpion, which combines rum and brandy with orange juice and slightly-bitter orgeat, works just as well as an individual cocktail or served in bowls for a crowd.

Key Elements:

  • Fresh-squeezed orange juice
  • Brandy
  • Orgeat syrup

The Missionary’s Downfall

Killingtime.com

Killingtime.com

Recipe: http://www.killingtime.com/Pegu/2012/02/20/mixology-monday-tiki-the-missionarys-downfall/

Everyone who’s had a mojito knows that citrus and mint are a winning combination. This Missionary’s Downfall recipe throws in some apricot brandy and honey for extra warmth and smoothness.

Key Elements:

  • Apricot brandy
  • Mint leaves

The Zombie

Beachbum Berry

Beachbum Berry

http://beachbumberry.com/recipe-zombie.html

Zombies suffered a lot under the tiki-as-camp period, and tended to involve whatever was behind the bar. Beachbum Berry has reconstructed the original version for a more sophisticated (but still very strong!) drink.

Key Elements:

  • Grenadine
  • Prenod
  • Lemon Hart Demerara rum
  • Falernum

The Quetzal

Sage Atelier

Sage Atelier

https://sageatelier.com/2013/06/21/friday-at-five-quetzal-cocktail/

A little less well-known than the other cocktails listed here, Quetzals take a simple citrus-and-rum base and add maple syrup for a unique blend of flavors.

Key Elements:

  • Cinnamon syrup
  • Grapefruit juice
  • Mezcal

 

The Painkiller

Shutterbean

Shutterbean

Recipe: http://www.shutterbean.com/2014/the-painkiller-cocktail/

The addition of coconut cream in the Painkiller makes for the smoothest possible drinking—maybe too smooth…

Key Elements:

  • Dark rum
  • Pineapple juice
  • Orange Juice
  • Ice
  • Nutmeg

The Fog Cutter

Cold-glass.com

Cold-glass.com

Recipe: https://cold-glass.com/2014/07/26/lemonade-with-an-attitude-the-fog-cutter/Fog Cutter

Don’t fear the multiple liquors. The Fog Cutter combines rum, gin, and brandy into a surprisingly (and dangerously) smooth and subtle cocktail.

Key Elements:

  • Gin
  • Brandy
  • Rum
  • Orgeat syrup
  • Lemon juice
  • Orange juice

 

The Test Pilot

Serious Eats

Serious Eats

Recipe: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/04/test-pilot-tiki-drink-recipe.html

The Test Pilot doesn’t go for too much citrus or flashiness, instead going for a very much non-tacky blend of Angostura bitters and Pernod for a balanced and complex drink.

Key Elements:

  • Angostura bitters
  • Pernod
  • Jamaican rum
  • Cointreau

The post 10 Tiki Cocktails for Summer – Beyond the Mai Tai first appeared on LBS Bartending School.

]]> How Much Does Bartending School Cost? https://localbartendingschool.com/top/how-much-does-bartending-school-cost/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-much-does-bartending-school-cost Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:47:40 +0000 https://localbartendingschool.com/top/?p=7799 Bartending school tuition is an investment that every bartender needs to make at some point. Many students leave bar school jobless with empty pockets. New bartenders should have realistic expectations upon entering bartending school and avoid pouring thousands of dollars into bartending school. A bartending diploma issues no guarantees. Bar owners favor experience to save […]

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Bartending school tuition is an investment that every bartender needs to make at some point.

Many students leave bar school jobless with empty pockets.

New bartenders should have realistic expectations upon entering bartending school and avoid pouring thousands of dollars into bartending school. A bartending diploma issues no guarantees.

Bar owners favor experience to save their training costs. Furthermore, these owners are motivated to hire bartenders with certifications for lower insurance premiums.

Barman giving whiskey glass with booze - closeup.
Barman giving whiskey glass with booze – closeup.

Some would argue that a majority of successful bartenders never planned to become bartenders. Instead, they started as waiters, waitresses, and busboys.  They worked their way up.

 Bartending school catapults people to their career faster than “climbing up the ladder.”

I think the best way to approach the bartending school question involves your personal goals in becoming a bartender.

If you want to learn how to become a bartender as a career and not just a job, it’s important to advance your way up to it.   To work through all of the roles in a bar will help you better understand the entirety of bar operation.

If, however, you are more interested in jumping into a bartending job, bartending school is a good way to get a jump-start on the basics that every bartender must know.

What Will You’ll Learn in School?

Despite whether you learn online or in-person, the core content remains similar. Online courses are easier to fit into your schedule, however, they only deliver visual knowledge, not hands-on experience. Flashy videos can be informative and helpful learning basic knowledge.

Bartending is a hands-on process. Most graduates of an online course will not feel ready on for a bartending job. It is important to participate in an in-person lesson or class.

Courses will involve managing a bar, drink recipes, organization, running a POS (point of sale) machine, and learning alcohol safety. Schools typically run two to seven weeks. Graduates of shorter schools tend to feel comfortable with only basic knowledge.

Bartending schools come in all shapes and sizes, and what and how much you learn depends on which one you choose.

Longer courses often involve added training in table service, more advanced drinks, flair bartending tricks, and a variety of additional information. Oftentimes the more extensive courses will involve having the students actually go into a bar either to shadow a real bartender or do a bit of real bartending themselves.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost to enroll in bartending school varies greatly.

Basic online video courses can run anywhere from $35 to $200, but as I mentioned before, be wary of these sorts of courses, and especially the cheapest ones. Don’t pay for some course that promises training only to have you watch basic videos and read recipes. You can learn all of that using YouTube and a cheap recipe book.

ABC Bartending School of Fort Lauderdale, FL
30 Hours
Program Price – $345
Registration Fee (Non-refundable) – $100
Book Fee (Non-refundable) – $50
Total Program Cost – $495

Ace Bartending of Las Vegas, NV
2 Weeks, 30 Hours
Total Program Cost (Internet Special) – $299

San Diego Bartending School, San Diego, CA
16 Hour Course
Total cost for two: $498

*The accuracy of the above pricing is not guaranteed and may be incorrect. Please contact schools for most accurate pricing.

cost
In-class courses vary in price based on the length and depth of instruction. It is fairly common to see these programs run in the $200 to $400 range, but sometimes they can be quite expensive. One popular example is the New York Bartending School, which costs nearly $600 for a comprehensive 40 hour class.

Conclusion: Is it Worth It?

If you don’t have a very good knowledge of liquors, drinks, and bar tools, but you still want to get into bartending, it might be exactly what you’re looking for.

If, on the other hand, you are one of those people who already knows a lot of drinks, school might not provide you with all that much new knowledge.

As for the expense, if you put down the money on bartending school, complete it, then cost won’t matter.  You won’t be complaining about the money spent on training when you successfully land a job.

When you get off work with a pocket full of cash, those few hundred dollars you spent on classes will not seem like a problem.

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