Online Bartending Schools
If you read our article on bartending schools then you'll know that listing one on your resume probably won't help you get your first job tending bar. The main reason to attend a school is to gain confidence and to see if bartending is a career that you'd enjoy. The same reasoning for the most part applies to online bartending schools as well.
The drawback to attending a bartending school online is that you don't get to practice mixing drinks behind an actual practice bar. One of the valuable things that bartending schools offer is the ability to role play with your fellow students. This mimics the conditions existing in real bars and gives students a much needed confidence boost when behind the counter for the first time. You also won't have an instructor on hand to check your free pouring technique or to instantly answer your questions.
One positive thing about attending an online bartending school is that you can learn at your own rate. There are some reputable schools that have come online in the last few years. Many of them have huge libraries of videos available that teach everything from how to mix the perfect Mojito to adding flair to your mixing routine. The cost is usually much easier on your pocket book as well, and you don't need to commute to school.
Some of the online schools also offer bar simulation software that lets you tend a virtual bar. Although some of the programs are more like video games, they can be helpful in familiarizing yourself with the various mixers and instruments behind the bar. This is also a great way to help memorize some of the classic drinks that you need to know. You don't need to know all nine thousand drink recipes and variations out there, but you do need to be familiar with the classics.
Depending upon the school and which program you sign up for, a membership in an online bartending school can include everything from videos and software, to flash cards and access to their forums where you can ask questions.
If you're on a budget or don't have a bartending school near you but want to get a taste of what the industry is like, then attending an online bartending school can be a great choice. Just remember that putting it on your resume likely will not get you a bartending job. It can however be a good introduction to the industry and might help you land an interview for a barback or server position.