The process of obtaining a bartending license in Illinois can be perplexing since each local jurisdiction has the discretion to determine the necessary alcohol service training, if any.

The local jurisdiction determines the following:

1. The specific curriculum that is required for the training
2. Whether the training can be completed online or in-person
3. The timeframe within which the training must be completed
4. The duration for which the bartending license remains valid before expiration.

Due to the high demand, the Illinois Bartending Course is only available once a month, and it tends to fill up rapidly. If you’re interested in enrolling and wish to learn more about start dates, kindly contact us via phone, email, or fill out the request information form at your earliest convenience.

In Illinois, if a bartending license is required by the local jurisdiction, it will most likely necessitate training that follows the guidelines of the Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET) program.

The BASSET Program has the following objectives and aims to:

1. Train and educate alcohol sellers and servers on responsible alcohol service practices;
2. Identify signs of intoxication and utilize appropriate intervention techniques;
3. Reduce the incidence of DUIs and alcohol-related fatalities;
4. Prevent underage sales and consumption of alcohol;
5. Promote safer communities and establishments that serve alcohol;
6. Educate owners, managers, and staff on dram shop insurance, state laws, and local ordinances related to alcohol service.

Starting from July 1, 2018, all on-premise alcohol servers (including those responsible for checking identification for alcohol service) are required to take the BASSET training.

BASSET certification and expiration are determined by state law, the local municipality where the business is conducted, and the training company that provided the training. Participants will receive a certificate from the licensed BASSET provider, who submits a roster of participants who passed the examination to the ILCC.

The Commission will issue certification letters, which include the BASSET card, to those who completed the course successfully. Although it is recommended that individuals whose names appear on the card carry the card if involved in selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages, most individuals who are BASSET-certified do so as a matter of course.

The bartending course will educate you on various topics including how to identify when a customer has had too much to drink, how to properly check IDs, and the bartender’s liabilities and responsibilities.

You have the option to attend the course either in-person or online, depending on your preference. The acceptable forms of identification include a valid Illinois State driver’s license or non-driver identification card, a valid driver’s license or non-driver identification card from any other US state, territory, or possession or Canada, a valid United States military identification, or a valid passport or visa from the United States government or any other country.

The course will also train you to identify authentic identification cards and serve customers accordingly. Additionally, you can take on-premise or off-premise courses for bartending. The on-premise course is suitable for those working in a bar or restaurant, while the off-premise responsible serving course is suitable for those working in a convenience store, liquor store, or other off-premises sales business.

To enroll, you can contact Local Bartending School at 877-879-7958 or fill out the request information form below.

Chicago Magic Lounge at 5050 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640-4999

Winter’s Jazz Club at 465 N. McClurg Court, Chicago, IL 60611-5144

The Grape Escape at 242 N Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2223

Lagunitas Taproom at 1843 S Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60608-2423

Howl at the Moon Chicago at 26 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654-4606

Bartending can be a fascinating job as it revolves around serving customers’ indulgent desires. However, it is also a serious and responsible job for bartenders as they must attend to patrons who come to enjoy the bar and consume alcohol.

To begin your bartending course today, please call 877-879-7958 or fill out the contact form below.