The idea behind the Lexington Bartending School is to simulate on-the-job bartending by providing hands-on training behind a real life, fully-equipped bar. Students will learn technical skills, accuracy, and consistency and speed, according to the school's official website. The only bartending school in Lexington officially licensed by the Kentucky State Board for Proprietary Education, the LBS schools its students in mixology. Students will learn over 250 different recipes, including beer, wine, shooters, highballs or martinis. Other skills include bar setup and breakdown, bar equipment, state alcohol laws, pouring and mechanics, customer service, and health and sanitation.
The Lexington Bartending School offers day, evening and weekend classes. Each program requires 60 hours of class time to graduate. The day class is Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lasts three weeks. The night class is Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and lasts three weeks. The weekend class is on Saturday only, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and lasts seven weeks. A flexible class schedule is also offered; this consists of taking any combination of day, night and weekend classes until the required hours are completed. Aside from orientation and the first class, all lessons are independent and can be taken in any order, at any time. In addition to the required hours, students are encouraged to arrive early or stay late for extra practice time honing their bartending skills.
The classrooms at the Lexington Bartending School are designed to support small class sizes and promote a more ideal learning environment. Accommodating 6 to 12 students, classrooms are fitted with the latest Wunderbar soda gun systems, three compartment sinks, stainless steel ice bins, mixers, professional glassware and liquor speed racks, according to the LBS's website. The bars are also fully stocked with beer, wine and liquor.
The skills learned at the Lexington Bartending School will prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Job opportunities include hotels, lounges, pubs, bars, restaurants, airports, dinner theaters, country clubs, resorts, conventions and private parties. Once a student has received a certificate upon graduation, he or she may take advantage of the PBSA's job placement program. Program assistants will help students find bartending jobs, either locally nationwide.