If you’re serious about making money behind the bar, not just flipping bottles for TikTok, you need real training. Here’s a rundown of seven legit bartending schools that have stood the test of time, get solid reviews, and will actually teach you what you need to know to work a real bar shift.
1. Local Bartending School (LBS)
Founded: 2009
Locations: Over 200 cities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Rating: 4.9/5 across Google, TrustPilot, and Facebook
Price: Starting at $97/hour for private lessons; full certification courses $299–$1099
Website: localbartendingschool.com
LBS is one of the fastest-growing and most flexible schools in the industry. They’ll train you at your house, a local bar, or even online. Their instructors are industry pros, and the curriculum includes safe serving, mixology, speed drills, and real-world service scenarios. Reviews rave about the one-on-one attention and how quickly students got jobs after. If you want to get trained fast, locally, and properly, this one’s hard to beat.
Students mention the ‘unbeatable’ job placement program.
Also, LBS is known for it’s ‘hands-on’ 1-on-1 approach. It’s the ultimate experience for the same price as regular school
Check LBS Bartending school reviews here
2. European Bartender School (EBS)
Founded: 1999
Locations: 25+ cities worldwide including London, NYC, Barcelona, Sydney
Rating: 4.8/5 (25,000+ reviews)
Price: Around $2,000 for the 4-week course
EBS is one of the biggest international bartending schools and it feels like a full-on bootcamp. Their four-week program is super hands-on and includes flair training, free-pour accuracy, spirit knowledge, and cocktail building. Their campuses are gorgeous, with practice bars and live setups. A lot of students use this school as a launchpad to work in beach clubs and resorts around the world.
3. ABC Bartending School
Founded: 1977
Locations: Dozens of U.S. cities including L.A., Miami, and NYC
Rating: 4.6/5 average
Price: Usually $399–$499 for a complete program
ABC is old school in a good way. They’ve trained over 500,000 bartenders since the ’70s, and their instructors know their stuff. They run small classes, so you get hands-on attention, and they offer job placement in most cities. It’s not the fanciest setup, but it’s practical and solid for getting your foot in the door.
Check ABC Bartending school reviews here
4. Mixology Academy (Italy)
Founded: 2008
Locations: Milan, Rome
Rating: 4.7/5 on Google
Price: Around €1,000–€1,800 depending on course level
This is Italy’s top-tier bartending school, big on technique, presentation, and the fine art of cocktails. If you’re in Europe and want more of a craft-focused education with cocktail theory, this is the spot. It’s a favorite for people aiming to work in upscale bars or move into beverage consulting.
5. BarSmarts (Online)
Founded: 2008
Location: Online
Rating: 4.5/5
Price: About $29 for BarSmarts Wired
BarSmarts was created by some of the biggest names in the liquor industry (Pernod Ricard backed it), and it shows. It’s more academic. You’ll cover spirits, history, service standards, cocktail families, and classic technique. Great as a supplement or for experienced bartenders looking to level up their knowledge. Not hands-on, but incredibly well respected.
6. National Bartenders School
Founded: 1984
Locations: L.A., Las Vegas, New York, and more
Rating: 4.8/5 on Google
Price: $299–$499
They offer day and night classes, job placement, and even free lifetime refresher courses. Their main draw is that they help you get actual work, often placing students in gigs before they even graduate. It’s a work-first kind of place, perfect if you need to start earning fast.
Check National Bartending school reviews here
7. Bar 5-Day Program (New York)
Founded: 2006
Location: Hyde Park, NY (at the Culinary Institute of America)
Rating: 5/5 among high-end professionals
Price: ~$4,000 for the 5-day course
This is the bartender equivalent of a Michelin-starred training. Bar 5-Day is for advanced bartenders, beverage directors, and hospitality veterans. It’s insanely rigorous with blind tastings, theory exams, and advanced mixology. If you’re trying to run a bar program or become a bar consultant, this is the gold standard.
Final Pour
If you’re just starting out and want something affordable and close to home, Local Bartending School (LBS) is the most flexible option, especially with their one-on-one format. If you’ve got money to spend and want a global experience, EBS or Mixology Academy will open doors. And if you’re already slinging drinks but want to take it up a level, BarSmarts or Bar 5-Day will challenge you.
Pick based on your goals. A quick job, high-end training, or international adventure? Just don’t waste time on programs that don’t actually prep you for real bar work.
