The Professional Bartending Institute of Greensboro was established in 1978 and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. In its courses, you will receive a textbook and instructors will give demonstrations and lectures so the students can see how drinks are prepared from the glass used to its mixing methods. Students then practice in a real bar setting to get hands-on experience, which is 75% of the time spent in the school. No real alcohol is used in the course so the focus on balance and structure of the drinks is important. The course is 40 hours and you will learn how to make over 150 drinks. Classes are offered in the afternoon and the evening as well as on weekends. All training is approved by the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
Since 1996, Bartending University in Jacksonville has been training professionals and has placed certified bartenders in jobs across the country. Its classroom is a real life bar setup, so students can learn hands-on about the bartending profession. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and the course lasts two weeks. The total price of the course is $390, which includes any needed materials. To guarantee enrollment you must pay $200 of the total and then the rest at the start of the course. Certification from the school doesn't expire. However, it does offer refresher courses at no charge to graduating students.
The Bartending College has a number of locations in the country including Charlotte and Raleigh. The school has been operating since 1980 and provides complete training at affordable prices. It offers job placement assistance as well as an online program that trains and certifies you before you go into the school and get personalized instruction. Courses teach how to open and close a bar, how to make over 150 drinks and get familiar with all the tools used. In addition, you will receive lessons in customer service, speed techniques and legal issues. The college also offers payment plans, while some students may qualify for assistance.
ABC Bartending School has locations in Greenville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Asheville and Wilmington. The course will teach you about state alcohol laws, how to stock and handle inventory, proper attire and conduct and how to mix popular drinks. ABC also offers job placement throughout the country once you graduate. It is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the American Bartender's Association. Class schedules vary depending on the campus but there are day, night and weekend classes to choose from.