New York Bartending School

I had considered going to Bartending School for awhile, but never had a chance to go through with it. The opportunity arose and I proceeded with my search in finding the right school. After reviewing several other schools online, I was most impressed with the New York Bartending School's website and extensive variety of establishments where graduates were placed. I then made an appointment to meet with the someone from the school. I was very pleased with the school's appearance and friendly staff. Needless to say, I went through the class. I had a very informative, attentive, patient and friendly instructor. He really focused on each and every student as individuals to make sure they were equiped with everything you need to know in order to be a knowledgable and successful bartender. Shortly after graduating they placed me in two full-time jobs, a sportsbar on the Upperwestside; Soldier McGee's and club on the Lower Eastside; Identity. I absolutely love working at these places, Great c... Read more

This place came recommended by my friend Stevie who is a graduate. I need to make some dough, so I figured I'd go check it out. I walk in and this brunette at the desk just stares at me without saying a word. Weird, no? After waiting for awhile to be greeted, I asked to get some information. She responded, "Whattaya wanna know?" I asked for the price and it had gone up to $800 from the original price my friend paid of like $500. I asked why there was a change in cost and the reponse was that the price goes up and down all the time. WTF? What is the course worth then? Ya feel me? No Answer. I left and signed up for another school. I don't usually write reviews or nitpick the small stuff, but I was really floored on how a school that teaches customer service could be soooo 'effin clueless about the topic. Also...and this is the clincher... My friend that originally recommended me to go here, called to do a "free" brush up class that they promised. After I told him how I made out he want... Read more

I was referred to this school by a friend. For convenience I went to their Long Island office and I was not disappointed! Better too because it costs less than the Manhattan location. I just graduated last Friday and I am so glad I decided to do this. I am very anxious to start working in a real bar and I will actually be practicing at one of their training bars in the city to add something to my resume since I do not have any bartending experience. My teachers were excellent and I hope to keep in touch with them because they were the best. Elena in the office was very nice and pleasant too. When I first started there was nothing pushy about it at all. I'm not sure about the Manhattan location but I am confident in stating that there shouldn't be any bad reviews about this school AT ALL!

I chose this school because they didn't try to hard sell me like other schools and I'm glad I did! My teacher was AMAZING! so supportive of everyone, knowledgable really just the best training I could of asked for. I got real life experience and I can say I'm totally statisfied with this school.

Take a class with forrest... He's a beast! The man! A myth! A legend! fore real, he's very knowledgable , real and fun! You guys rock!

Just wanted to let you know that I got a job bartending luxury suites and special events at the Yankee Stadium. I will start training next week. They were particularly interested in professionally trained bartenders with TIPS certification which was awesome that you guys offered that as well. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again guys

Hello! I am currently working at Boss Tweeds in the Lower East Side! I had a lot of fun in the class and miss you guys. I think it would be awesome to have you come down and have some drinks on me :) Much Love ~Savannah

Forrest was very fun and a funny teacher. Teaches well. Gives great advice.I would recommend taking class with him to anyone interested in learning this trade while enjoying it!

These teachers are truly amazing, and I especially appreciated the kindness, and the need to have my class graduate and start working. No question was overlooked by the staff. The job placement counselor was available for help whenever I needed it.

I was recommended this school from a friend. My favorite part was the personal touch in teaching and lots of encouragement I got. The teacher made the class really fun and showed he had alot of knowledge. High quality facilities, relaxed atmosphere, realistic bar set up and training made my experience even better. Oh and thanks for the Van Gogh demo and free bottle of vodka. You guys are awesome!

I worked a party this past weekend out on Long Island and had a great time! They kept me until 12:30 and paid me $350. They said I did a great job and was very helpful, they also said they would love to have me back again. I would LOVE to do more work for you, if it becomes available. Thank you all for everything and I hope I can be your hired gun in the future!!

Hi!! Recently graduated from your school, (about 1 month ago) I had Alexis as my teacher..shes great!! She taught me soooo much...well, Im proud to announce that I am now working at Hennys!! Can you believe it!! I want to thank your school for teaching me what I need to know about bartending and please tell Alexis thank you!!! I will be referring many of my friends to your school!!! Will be in touch soon to give updates!!! -Mad

Well I called and wanted more information from this school as I was shopping around for a good bartending school. Called me back explained everything and wanted to set up an appointment for the next day. I found another cheaper school same everything and decided to go with them. NYBC called the next day to comfirm I told him I wasn't interested anymore and he became completely irate. Asking why? I tell them he goes have you seen there place? I said yeah I don't need a fancy bar lounge area to learn, NYBS says well you will find there job placement doesnt exist. I was like none of you schools gurantee a job placement. You said you HELP. NYBS says Yea but that school don't even do that! I said and how might you know that? I rather pay half for the same stuff you teaching. NYBS says you rather pay half? Why not pay double for a job? I then say I need a job! I'm not interested in buying a job! By saying that you already know you school is no diffrent then the other cheaper schools. That 8... Read more

Clearly my instructor had many years experience behind the bar. He was very helpful, patient and professional he really gave us his all. The bar/classroom had really good equipment too.

James was awesome! One of the best teachers I ever had. He was thorough, informative, engaging and made the material fun to learn. He is inc...

I recently landed a bartending gig at Mercer Kitchen in Soho. It’s one of Jean Georges restaurants it’s very classy and competitive and I’m excited about the opportunity to learn and expand my resume. Thank you lots for helping me get the job!

Just wanted to drop a line to thank you guys for letting me retake the class two weeks back - but more importantly, I got a full-time position from your job search at Edgewood Country Club! You guys kick so much @$$, and I'm going to be sending a few of my friends to take the course in the coming weeks.

The class was informative and fun and I've gotten 2 jobs with the counselor's help since I've graduated. I'm working at Spice Market currently and I love it.

They teach you everything, You will not have time to get bored as it is fast paced, but they let you take it over again if you need to - I did - just because I misssed a day. It took me 4 weeks to get a job, but they were very helpful and showed me what to do, say and dress on interviews and pushed me to follow up. I worked a party so that was helpful. I started at a hotel even though I really want to work in a club, but in this economy I cannot be fussy. This is the end of my first week. I had to take all these seminars the first week (people skills, product knowledge, trail a day with a server and another day with banquets) and then next week I trail with a bartender for a full week, so no tips for first 2 weeks. After that (unless I $#% up) I start working on the service bar..yeh! So far, what I learnt at the new york bartending school has helped a lot. Only advice I can give to new students is 'don't give up.' Thanks a bunch - sara j

I really liked the instructor?s enthusiasm, sincerity, and unique sense of humor. All the instructors had superb energy, which led to an amazing experience. They also shared their experiences behind the bar which provided me with a wealth of knowledge.I also liked the website and when I called I was even more pleased with the professional manner in which the agent carried out the reception. All in all the entire experience was one of quality, fun and learning. There was never a moment I felt time as wasted, and I constantly having the most fun I?ve had in years!! Apart from the tremendous amount of knowledge and skill attained from within the class, the course gave me much to think about with regards to self, goals, and society.

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THIS REVIEW WAS POSTED ON AMERICAN BARTENDING SCHOOL?S SITE: 20 drinks in 6 minutes 07/07/2007 Posted by kflan24 James was very energetic and brought a lot of fun into the classroom. He really knows his stuff. 20 drinks in 6 minutes. Plus it seemed legit there were all sorts of articles on the company. I also really like the introductory class. The set up is very much like a bar it made it more fun. The entire experience was very enjoyable. Pros: realistic set up THIS REVIEW WAS POSTED ON NEW YORK BARTENDING SCHOOL?S SITE: 20 drinks in 6 minutes 07/07/2007 Posted by kflan24 James was very energetic and brought a lot of fun into the classroom. He really knows his stuff. 20 drinks in 6 minutes. Plus it seemed legit there were all sorts of articles on the company. I also really like the introductory class. The set up is very much like a bar it made it more fun. The entire experience was very enjoyable. Pros: realistic set up LOOKS LIKE NEW YORK BARTENDING SCHOOL ACCIDENTALLY PO... Read more

Good: You truly do learn a lot about alcohol, being a bartender & how to actually mix drinks. Instructors are very helpful & personable. Once you've finished, you can always go back & practice mixing drinks. The course itself is fun. Reality: They APPEAR to promise job placement & skirt around seeming to guarantee it. They tout this as the main difference from other bar schools. 95% of the students looking for a bar job won't get any kind of placement. They have no contracts with bars/clubs as far as supplying real jobs (the only thing that comes close are the 'practice bars' that let you bartend an hour w/no pay). They rarely get private parties, then farm most out to 'safeties' who took the class years back, that they know they can depend on. Job listings on their site are copied straight from Craigslist (Food/Bev/Hosp section). Bad: Bars don't take bartending school seriously. You'll have better luck if you DON'T include it on your resume. The counselor (who usually has little to... Read more

I took the one week course and had soo much fun! I really worked my butt off for that week though. They're not bullsh*tting you. At all. I went in there not knowing much about liquor. I didn't know what a "spirit" was. Any bartender knows what that is. & since I'm still not even close to being 21, I don't really get to go to bars. I was able to pass the speed test, with 30 seconds left over. I know how to make a whole bunch of drinks/cocktails etc that I've never even tried. Pretty much 97% of the drinks I know how to make, I've never tried. I had a really good time there and learned a lot. My teachers were always willing to help me all the time. I recommend this course to anyone who has the right personality. But I do recommend the 2 week course. It was a lot to take in in only one week for me. And I didn't have a free minute the whole week. I studied really hard. Yet, with all this knowledge I am still unemployed -_- But it's not their fault or anything. Its not that easy to get ... Read more

I researched schools before choosing The New York Bartending School. The 2 things that caught my eye were that they were a branch of the PBSA, a national bartending association, and they offered lifetime job placement. To be honest, their classes were great. I learned a lot and the instructors are a lot of fun. BUT... job placement? Their idea of job placement is giving you a list of bars, who they've called for you, that may be looking for bartenders. The problem is, these places are all looking for experienced bartenders. The manager at every bar I walked into laughed at me when I said I went to the NYBS. In their words, bartending school graduates "are a dime a dozen." When I spoke to career bartenders and bar managers, I was told to lie on my resume, and never mention going to any bartendin... Read more

I just graduated on Friday May 30th and already got a gig. No, they didn't place me but they help me become confident enough to ace the interview, show product knowledge, speak intelligibly, and execute technically. James was on point, articulate and interesting. He was also professional and made the training environment as real as possible. The fact that people can return to the "club" and get refreshed for free is awesome. I am an honorary member of this society and I admit it was well-worth the price of admission.. j :)

I researched on line and this school had the best reviews and seemed like I would get the most for my money. I was so proud of myself that I told all my friends that I can make 20 drinks in 4.5 minutes!

Brilliant! Energetic! Helpful! Easy to understand and tells it like it is about the business. Greatly appreciated. I had a great time at the wednesday free course and I loved all of the wonderful testimonials on the website.

Great people to learn from - speed test, quest bartending option, Free Trial class, personal w hen I called, was very informative

Fun, energetic, informative, and always willing to help you. I chose this school because it offers lifetime job placement. flexible classes and you can always come in to brush up on your skills at no extra charge! I enjoyed the role playing with the other students.

Loved everything about this course. Wine & beer seminars, TIPS and behind the bar experience all in convenient schedules. Instructor was very amusing and showed a passion for his job.

James was very energetic and brought a lot of fun into the classroom. He really knows his stuff. 20 drinks in 6 minutes. Plus it seemed legit there were all sorts of articles on the company. I also really like the introductory class. The set up is very much like a bar it made it more fun. The entire experience was very enjoyable.

James was very funny and engaging. He demonstrated knowledge of wine and spirits. Browsing thru the website influenced my decision. Reading through the detailed descriptions of what was offered, plus the comments made by past graduates convinced me that NYBS would be good for me. I saw myself improving each time I did a speed drill.

OK, now I understand the rules: nobody is allowed to post n opinion about New York Bartending School EXCEPT FOR New York Bartending School themselves. How dishonest, pathetic, transparent, and sad.

Both of my instructors were easy to understand, helpful and funny. I felt very comfortable there. I knew from friends that had graduated that I would learn alot. My favorite part was the hands on exercises.

Hundreds of 5-star ratings lined up one after the other with cookie-cutter testimonials. Am I supposed to believe that all these reviews come from happily-employed NYBS graduates, each of them singing its praises on a single web site within days or even hours of each other? I'm actually glad I ran across this pathetic astroturfing, because it saved me a phone call to inquire about the trial classes. No way I'd bother signing up with a company that tries to pull lame stunts like this. NYBS staffers, you may proceed to copy-paste your standard rebuttal below.

I went to several schools before signing up for this one. It seemed the most modern and CLEAN. Which it was. The school itself was setup really nice...like a real bar. The instructors are great BUT it was SOOOO OVERCROWDED. They fail to let you know that they teach TWO classes at a time not just one!! So you definitely dont get all the hands on.....I feel if Im paying almost $700 than I better be at the damn bar ALL the time not switch back and forth! Also....they dont get you a job...you are on your own after you graduate. They even tell you to wait a few weeks before you come to speak to them about a job. One other school charges aprox $900....im so glad I didnt waste my money there. Go with the cheaper school if you feel you must go to a school. Its all the same thing. Bar owners want experienced bartenders not recent grads....so good luck! Oh and their "training" bars are a serious joke...ancient looking bars...with trucker looking clients...I felt dirty just being there. My last... Read more

this is just the newest in a series of schools that pretend that bars will hire you after their training. Wasted my money!

My instructor was very intuitive, patient, informative, and warm. The job placement rocks it's reputable and very well advertised. My favorite part was the speed drills and the Absolute presentation. Personalizing drinks and having contests for free stuff was pretty awesome.

She has a very calm and easy personality, and she give you all the information needed to pass the test and gives you useful information to know as a working bartender. The professionalism from the agents, the actual bar set-up, and, the history and newspaper ads - top-rated bartending school.

I had a GREAT instructor. If I took this course again i would demand to have him. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I gained alot of confidence behind the bar.

It's the only school backed by the New York State Education Department. It covers everything well and pushes you to learn all the materials,all important points and provides lots of real-world advice in class. The skills, speed and knowledge provided in the classroom bars are more useful and practical compared to other schools.

Very easy to understand I looked it up on the internet and I had a friend take the course. it was AMAZING. I would definitely recommend NYBS to my friends.

Upon searching this school seemed more reputable & professional. Everything seemed very straightforward & honest. Could not have asked for a better more knowledgeable & entertaining instructor.

Instructor was witty,funny and informative and above all he made everyone feel comfortable. I had many recommendations and reviewed articles before picking this school. My favorite part was graduating I felt accomplished and went from knowing nothing to being confident. THANKS!

My teacher was really great. He was enthusiastic and insightful, You can tell he knows what he's doing and has alot to teach. I enjoyed the speed tests and music that felt like a real bartending experience.

James is awesome.... Definately the coolest teacher I've ever had. I chose this school cause they looked the coolest. I loved learning how to make a Long Island ice tea since that's my favorite drink.

I felt comfortable with NY Bartending as soon as I spole to the person over the phone. She was friendly and told me about her bartending experience. When I cam in to visit,there was NO pressure for me to sign up.

Took her time with each student to make sure we comprehnded every piece of information. Had fun, met many new people. Very credible school!

After a friend told me about it, I did the research and found it to have the best credentials of NYC schools. Loved the non-stop drills.