How to become a bartender: mixology courses guide
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How to Become a Bartender

Wondering how to become a bartender? From those who want to develop their cocktail mixing knowledge to bar enthusiasts and university students, there are some great ways to up your skills. Even if you have a few years of experience in the bag, there are some exciting ways for you to forge a great career in the bar industry.

Follow our steps to bartending success.

STEP 1: Assess Your CV – Are You Qualified?

Professional bartending takes time to master, but it’s more than worth it. It’s a skill which could help you advance your career anywhere from international bar jobs to working in a luxury hotel. You’ll need to consider your experience in this area, as well as whether you hold additional qualifications, such as completing mixology classes with a reputable course provider. These are the skills on your CV which are going to help you stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner or want to delve more into the secrets of first-class cocktail making, there are some awesome ways to take your skills to the next level.

STEP 2: Join a Bartending School – 1 Week Courses

If you’re a junior bartender or just starting out, joining a bartenders school is one of the best and quickest ways to gain the practical skills you need to feel comfortable behind the bar. This doesn’t mean giving up months of your life to get knee-deep in study. There are 1-week intensive mixology courses available to help you acquire exciting new skills while building up your confidence. If you’re looking into several bartender schools, identify how they meet your needs.

The best courses will include hands-on experience, small class sizes and one to one support. You should be able to gain a real qualification upon course completion with a provider who is accredited and well-recognised in the industry. The ideal course will cover all the fundamentals of bartending, including cocktail mixing and pouring techniques, product knowledge, setting up a bar and sequence of service, as well as ways to build your self-confidence.

STEP 3: Mixology Courses to Advance Your Skills

Schools for bartending aren’t just for those with limited cocktail awareness. Experienced bartenders or those who have already completed a beginner’s course can take advanced lessons to gain a higher qualification in the art of mixology. This type of training can produce bar staff which go onto work in exceptionally high-end venues. A good bartending school will teach you the latest mixology techniques, which can include aspects such as ice manipulation, the hottest trends and how to present spectacular cocktails that impress.

Work with The Spirit Lab

The Spirit Lab provides exclusive in-house training programs in London, offering everything you need to start your journey into bartending, drive your career forward or train your staff as part of bar consultancy services. Our courses include practical cocktail making sessions in our real working bar, expert theory and certifications recognised in over 60 countries worldwide. We have a maximum of 8 students per class to give you a personal experience throughout. We even won the Lux Life Leaders in Luxury Award for UK Most Outstanding Bar School 2019.

Want to become a bartender?

Take a look at our international and advanced courses now.

Professional Mixology Training

COCKTAIL BARS, HIGH END RESTAURANTS & 5* HOTELS

Professional Mixology Training

COCKTAIL BARS, HIGH END RESTAURANTS & 5* HOTELS

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Internationally Accreditated
Professional
Qualification

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WSET

The world’s leading provider of Wine and Spirit education and it’s the crucial qualification for professionals in the wine & spirit trade as well as for non-professional connoisseurs.

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The Drinks Trust

The Drinks Trust is the charity dedicated to the drinks and hospitality workforce. It strives to empower people in our industry through services designed to assist financially, restore well-being and develop skills, and to do so with compassion and respect.

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IAMI

It is primarily an association of colleges & other organisations involved in providing education and training for personnel involved in the Merchant Navy & Super Yacht. It acts as an accreditation body and formally recognises the competency standards required.

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Guest Program

It is the only Internationally Accredited Maritime Hospitality & Service Training Program for the Interior Superyacht Crew.

Welcome to the Spirit Lab

Our Courses

Beginners Course

Hand of mixologist presenting an elegant cocktail - spiritlablondon mixology training

Beginner | Level 1

5 days intensive – £799

Looking to master the secrets of cocktail making and build up confidence behind the bar? This program is aimed at Beginners or Junior Barmen. The course also appeals to anyone who is interested in developing their knowledge of Mixology and wants to acquire new skills.

Advanced Course

Creating a cocktail - The Spirit Lab

Advanced | Level 2

4 days intensive – £999

Do you wish to take your Mixology knowledge to an advanced level? This course is aimed at both Experienced Bartenders and previous students who have successfully completed our International mixology course.

Coming soon

Creating a cocktail - The Spirit Lab

New Course

New Course

We are in the process of extending our curriculum and will have a new course available soon.

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Google Reviews

Google
reviews

Zac JacobsZac Jacobs
14:07 14 Oct 24
So good. Big up Manny!
Macarena JimenezMacarena Jimenez
15:21 05 Oct 24
Very professional and fun training.
Finn CarterFinn Carter
15:21 22 Sep 24
Brilliant course, well run and very informative. Way better than I expected.
Varun rVarun r
20:18 21 Sep 24
Chris McDonnellChris McDonnell
05:58 16 Sep 24
Really enjoyable course. Perfectly structured, so you are always learning but having fun at the same time.Thanks Emanuele! Great location too. I’d 100% recommend.
Rachna RaoRachna Rao
15:31 29 Aug 24
This mixology course is very well structured and sheds a lot of light on the techniques that go into making cocktails at a professional bar environment. It is the perfect combination of seriousness and fun at the same time! I learned a lot and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to join this field of work or even open their own bar!Manny is a great teacher, always giving that extra bit of effort and taking time to answer questions thoroughly. He’s also fun spirited and had amazing energy!
Akiah TromansAkiah Tromans
14:08 15 Aug 24
Best mixology/bartending course you can possibly take in 5 days. Manny is passionate and treats the craft like an artform. If you apply yourself, you will learn lots. Highly recommend to any aspiring bartenders!
Sulaxan GaneshanathanSulaxan Ganeshanathan
14:00 12 May 24
I chose the 1 week intense course and I must say Manny was such a great instructor. He was very patient and tailors the course according to each persons requirement. He was super friendly and helpful with each of our queries. I would highly definitely recommend this course with Manny.
JulyAnh NguyenJulyAnh Nguyen
17:27 13 Apr 24
If you are someone like me who has a passion for making cocktails, I highly recommend taking this course....Outside of my degree as a university student, I took time this spring to explore and develop my new profound love for mixology.Today, I was awarded the International Mixology diploma from the Spirit Lab London Bartending Academy, approved by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust recognized in more than 70 countries worldwide.Despite my background, I extend my utmost gratitude to director Emanuele Mancini for accommodating me by being a demanding but fair mixology teacher challenging my skills both on and off the bar.Receiving this acknowledgment, meant more than the completion of a 5-day intensive spirit training course at the heart of the Marylebone district in London; it was a milestone in my ability to remain calm under pressure and build the confidence to face things outside of my comfort zone.If you are someone like me who is unsure due to inexperience, I can tell you that my 5-day journey to cocktail-making started in a foreign place to a young professional who can confidently push out multiple spirits at a high level.
Ritesh ShahRitesh Shah
11:44 07 Apr 24
I am so glad I chose the Spirit Lab to fulfil a dream of perfecting my skills, understanding and learning more about the art and history of cocktail making with Emanuele Mancini. It was a 5 day intensive course with a small group.Emanuele is clearly passionate about the industry and this really shows as he picks up on every detail and perfects you along the way. He is truly an inspiration and a leader in this industry. I loved his style of teaching and this made me more determined to succeed. I highly recommend the Spirit Lab as I am now more confident in making cocktails and will continue to ensure I take every opportunity to put my new skills to the test.Thank you Emanuele
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