Bartending Schools & Courses to Avoid!

Aspiring bartenders looking to enter the hospitality industry often turn to bartending schools for training and certification. While there are many reputable schools that can provide a quality education and set you on the path to a successful career, there are also schools to stay away from. These schools may promise a quick and easy path to certification, but in reality, they may provide subpar training or be outright scams. In this article, we will discuss some of the bartending schools to stay away from and why.

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Unlicensed Bartender Training

Make sure your school is Licensed by the Department of Education. If they are not, STAY AWAY! Unfortunately, there are many scammers in Miami offering training courses using names like Academy, School, etc. This is illegal! Most are already being investigated. You can easily view if your school is licensed by clicking this link – Commission For Independent Education (fldoe.org)

Schools That Offer Certifications Without Hands-On Training

Bartending is a hands-on profession, and any reputable bartending school will provide ample opportunity for students to practice their skills. If a school promises certification without hands-on training, it is a red flag. Without practical experience, you will not have the skills necessary to succeed in the industry, and potential employers may not take your certification seriously.

Franchised Schools

Franchised Schools are not all they seem to be. Most are staffed with low tier part-time instructors that are paid by the hour. We’ve seen instructors at schools with minimal experience. Furthermore, these schools are usually in it to sell franchises, caring more about selling their name, than your success! You end up paying more to learn less! Beware of franchised schools.

FAKE REVIEWS

Beware of fake reviews of franchised schools. They’re hungry to keep their image pristine and will do anything at all costs to keep selling their franchise. We’ve seen one school in business for years in Fort Lauderdale with a 3.8 star rating with 46 reviews in early 2023. Then to suddenly have a new franchisor take over the school and within a couple of weeks and no classes scheduled, they went from 46 reviews to over 90 reviews. Currently now at over 100 reviews in just a few months. Guess what? All the new reviews were 5 stars. Boosting their ratings to a 4.9. You’d think it would be illegal, but they seem to be getting away with this for years at their other locations. We went ahead and documented all their reviews from all their locations in throughout Florida thoroughly. What we found, any judge would throw the book at them and fine them for fraud. However, we are not in the business of going after anyone, nor hurting anyone. So, just do your due diligence.

Schools That Overpromise Job Placement

While it is true that many bartending schools have partnerships with local bars and restaurants, no school can guarantee job placement after graduation. Schools that overpromise job placement may be trying to entice students with unrealistic expectations, leading to disappointment and frustration down the line. They Charge very high prices and advertise the same events year after year.

Schools That Offer Unrealistic Timelines

Bartending is a complex profession that requires a significant amount of knowledge and practice to master. Schools that promise to teach you everything you need to know in a matter of weeks or even days should be approached with caution. Becoming a skilled bartender takes time, and any school that promises a shortcut is likely cutting corners in their training. Go to a school that allows you to return for additional practice time, once your course is complete! Make sure it’s in a real bar!

Schools That Have Poor Reputations

Before choosing a bartending school, it is essential to do your research. Look for reviews and ratings from former students and industry professionals. If a school has a poor reputation, it is likely for a reason. Stay away from schools that have a history of unhappy students, poor job placement, or low-quality training.

Schools That Charge Exorbitant Fees

While it is reasonable to expect to pay for a quality education, beware of schools that charge exorbitant fees for their programs. Some schools may charge thousands of dollars for a certification that could be obtained elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. Always compare prices and research what other schools are charging to ensure you are getting a fair deal. Beware of parking rates in Miami and South Florida, they range approximately $4 per hour. On top of the course being already expensive you could end up shelling out another $200 in city parking fees! Our recommended bartending school has free parking and is priced right!

Schools that advertise them themselves as being the best.

These school owners like to use terms like #1 School, Top School, etc. This is simply not true, it’s like walking past a sign that says world’s best pizza. SMH

In conclusion, there are many reputable bartending schools that can provide an excellent education and set you on the path to a successful career. However, it is important to be wary of schools that are unlicensed, have grandiosity beliefs, have fake reviews, make unrealistic promises, charge exorbitant fees and are franchises. Do your research and choose a school with a solid reputation, hands-on training, and realistic timelines for learning the craft. By avoiding schools that are not up to par, you can save yourself time, money, and frustration in the long run. Check out are choice on what a great bartending school is like.

Save time and money, here’s our recommendation for a quality bartending school in Miami that offers a true certification course – 40-Hour State Licensed Bartending Course in Miami | 786-Bartend Miami’s Bartending School (786bartend.com