The online bartending course is a great resource for two types of bartenders, the home basement bartender hobbyist and the working bartender looking for additional recipes or tips. If you want to learn how to get a job behind the bar, the videos and online text book will help you with your knowledge, but that is only half the battle.
The guys over at Start Bartending have put together the most comprehensive online bartending course we have ever seen. They have modelled their program on our 8 day set of classes, and have included even more information and exercises than what we can squeeze into each class.
Just like learning to drive… a hands on bartending course is where an instructor can correct your technique. They can identify what you are doing right, and wrong… and make sure you understand the material as it is taught. When you finish the course, personalized career advice and suggestions on where to hand over your resume are also part of the value of an in person class.
1. Play with All the Bar Tools and Toys
Online bartending courses are numerous and inexpensive. That is because the onus is put on you to get all the necessary tools, equipment and bottles. This can be an expensive shopping trip, but if you want to spend the dollars to get your self set up… you’ll have a great setup to host some friends for cocktails.
Expect to spend a few hundred bucks or more for a couple shaker tins, mixing glasses, speed spouts, spoons, strainers, and rimming stations. If you can find and want to install a pop or soda gun, this will cost you an extra pretty penny. This is one of the main benefits of a hands-on bartending school… they have all the tools and toys!
Videos will show you how to tap a keg. They talk about what to expect when you are in that keg room. It’s when you have that coupler in hand with a couple hoses coming off it that will initiate you with a ‘beer shower’. Most online bartending courses forget to include any details on hooking up a CO2 cylinder. The Start Bartending Online Course does cover some of that so you will have an idea before pouring a few pints.
2. Taste Different Spirits and Cocktails
There are so many different liqueurs out there. Peach schnapps is understandably both peachy and sweet with a little alcohol. What about Goldschlager? How do you appreciate the nuances of flavour and aroma in Campari and how does it compare to Aperol for a spritz? Yes you can go out and buy each of these spirits for a taster, or you can hang out at a bar to taste a little of each but those tasters also come with a price tag and usually an impatient bartender. In person classes take the time to discuss each spirit and liqueur. Instructor outlines your questions of what mixers go well with each and why many of the classic cocktails are classics.
Online you will find much more detail on each individual spirit. We point out the what you should be looking for in each spirit. Discussion of what mixes pair with gin and rye is something that only happens in a classroom. Learn about the basics of beer and wine. Wine is also touched on, along with more hands-on wine service tips. Information again you only get in a classroom.
3. Get Instant and Personalized Feedback
Online classes expect to work through each video module on your own. To become an expert in anything, it is recommended you spend 10,000 hours doing it. With the many years of experience our instructors bring to the table, you can greatly reduce that time to becoming a black belt at bartending. We teach bartenders what to watch for when making drinks, while pointing out how to make more tips. An online bartending course will quiz you on general bartending knowledge, but still won’t catch you on any bad habits. There are a lot of bad bartending habits out there!
A Practical Bartending Course Outlines What You Need
British Columbia has a few very specific rules for bartenders. A hands-on bartending course at Fine Art is the best option to learn to bartend when compared to any online bartending course in BC.
Our Bartender Training Course is is held downtown in Vancouver. We are only a 5 minute walk from both Waterfront and Granville Skytrain stations. The bartending school is also within spitting distance of Vancouver’s best bartenders. You can spend the time trying to learn to bartend at home, or come downtown to practice then park yourself at a bar to see successful bartenders in action.
Our Commercial Bartending Course is a practical course taught over two weeks. Each day has 4 hours of class time, and over eight days we teach you exactly what you need to bartend. Get up behind the bar and make some cocktails!
Successfully complete the course and you get:
- The well renowned Fine Art Commercial Bartender Certificate
- hands-on knowledge of more than 100 different cocktails
- the skills to start crafting your own cocktails
- upselling tips and tricks to make more money for the house, and yourself
- suggestions on how to train support staff
- the confidence to rock it behind the bar
- and some new classmates!
BC has a responsible serving program that must be done online. To serve or sell alcohol, you need to have your Serving It Right certificate. We touch on all the essential bits of information in BC’s responsible service program, but we focus class time on making cocktails. It doesn’t matter if you take some hands on classes or an online bartending course, you need to take the time and get your Serving It Right. We recommend coming to Vancouver, and learn from bartenders what you really need to know.
Class Times in Vancouver
EVENING Classes
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6pm – 10pm
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Tuesday to Thursday for Week #1 & 2
Tuesday & Wednesday for Week #3
*Note that on Statutory Holidays, we may shift classes to start on Tuesday instead of Monday
To accommodate everyone, have have a small classroom to better teach our bartending students. DAY and EVENING courses start about every few weeks, so there is no excuse to not be able to make classes. Once a month we start new WEEKEND classes too. Check our new class start dates to see what works for your schedule!
Learn to Bartend in a proven hands-on bartending course
Send us an email if you don’t see the start dates you are looking for! If dates aren’t on the website, we probably have an idea as to when the next ones will be. ASK US! We are here to help. If you are committed to doing an online class due to travel costs or lack of availability of bartending schools in your area… then definitely check out the Start Bartending Online program.
Choose Vancouver’s Best Bartender Training Program
Soon to be bartenders from all around Vancouver have been coming downtown to get their training. For more than 35 years now, we have been Greater Vancouver’s best bartender training school. Your students love us! We want you to know how to make a bunch of great cocktails, but also how to be a great bartender. If you are looking to work in Richmond or Steveston, there are plenty of great hotel bars and small restaurants that always need help. We will make sure you know which establishments you should be targeting to get work fast.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Taking this course was a great experience for me! I found a bartending job in Vancouver easily after I took this course. Although I didn’t continue to work as a bartender as my career with my boring engineering degree got too busy, I’ve gained entrance to a whole new knowledge through this course. Now I know my drinks to make at parties, what wine I prefer at a fine dining restaurant, or just the general knowledge of what all those bottles of liquid are when I hit the liquor store. I strongly recommend this course to whoever wants a jumpstart to a career in bartending, add more experience to your current bartending job, or even just there to learn more about alcohol, enjoy, and have fun!
Kevin Y. from Richmond
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I just wanted to say thanks to the instructors for the bartending course at Fine Art. I found the course to be well paced, very informative and appreciated all the attention and consistent feedback. The course was very hands on and was filled with tips and tricks of the trade… which are all necessary if I wanted to become a bartender. Not only did I learn over 70 cocktails and martinis, the drills to become fast and efficient at them are excellent. The course is challenging but with a clear progression and sequence that makes learning the drinks easy. If anyone was ever wondering about the course I highly recommend it as it surpassed my expectations. I was just hired at a Pub today not even 2 weeks after the course was over. Thanks again
Craig P. from Steveston
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really enjoyed the class, i went to the day and night courses in Vancouver and liked them both. It never got to be boring and I was always learning something new. You did a great job teaching and kept it interesting (never a dull moment). I am currently looking for a job bartending/serving but the course will help me get a start. Great job!
James H. from Richmond
