A: While it's true that you don't strictly need a bartending certificate to work in the industry, the reality is more nuanced. Many bartending schools have unfortunately contributed to a negative stigma around certification due to their focus on memorization over practical skills. At The Cocktail Camp, we aim to redefine what it means to be educated in bartending. Our program is built on mentorship, a solid foundation of mixology knowledge, and an understanding of the science and art behind creating exceptional drinks. We don't just teach you recipes; we prepare you for a successful career by focusing on flavor profiles, the reasoning behind mixing certain ingredients, and real-world bar scenarios. This comprehensive approach equips our graduates with the confidence and skills to excel, regardless of the stigma.

Mentorship is the most valuable thing to receive in any field. This is what e provide.

The quick answer is that we are the best. The better answer is that the team behind this program has been in this industry for over a decade. We were working in dive bars before the craft movement took place, we were working in clubs when we were tired of dive bars, and more importantly... we were a part the craft movement. We have seen this industry go through many changes, and with each change (some that we have contributed to), we studied and got better at what we do. We founded the cocktail camp after working at and owning other bartending schools. We want to give people a real chance in success and a good option. Do your research and know that you don't have to choose a mundane experience. When someone tells you they have worked behind the bar, the best question to ask is: where? 

We find it hilarious and sad that people still fall for scams like this. Even before Google, there were books. We want to attract the people who understand the difference in value.

If the instructors or owners of a bartending school simply cannot provide the specific places they have worked, how long they have worked there, why they are teaching you to bartend, and what their passion was, then trusting them would put a lot of faith in an illusion.

Our Bartending Certification Course is roughly 18 hours and Master Certification is roughly 100 hours.

You do not need a bartending certificate to tend bar in California.  In essence, the certificate you earn from completing our course carries significance because our program is recognized by owners, operators, and managers of bars and restaurants throughout the city as the gold standard of bar training institutions.  This is because all our instructors have real industry experience (minimum 6 years in at least two establishments), are BarSmarts certified, and truly love this profession.  We consistently graduate bartenders that have the equivalent of roughly one year's worth of bartending experience, and are constantly referring our alumni to positions where they overwhelmingly impress and thrive.  Our 90% hire rate is tops among bartending certifiers in the city, and that is not by accident.

The Cocktail Camp is located in a real bar, and our students work with real liquor, so the minimum age requirement is 21 years of age.

We invite our graduates to keep in touch and remain engaged with our community of bartenders, and there are many ways to do so! We host events and gatherings for alumni, offer Mixology sessions, and share our exclusive insider listings for job inquiries, events, and other opportunities on our regular newsletter. `You are encouraged to utilize our resume consultation as well. Those thirsty for more are invited to apply for our Mastery Program, which includes an apprenticeship with a master bartender at one of San Francisco's amazing bars.

The simple answer is there are no guarantees in life. If you do well in class, follow through with our resume consultation and job placement assistance programs, and put the footwork into finding the right bartending position, you will be in very good shape. Cocktail Camp graduates enjoy a 90% success rate. This is because we have great relationships with people in bars, catering companies, and restaurants around the city so that when a job opens up, we are the first to know about it. Also, our graduates are serious about getting the most out of their education here, making the most out of their skills, and pursuing the positions that suit them best.

No way! Some of the best bartenders are the ones that don't imbibe. Knowing the flavor profiles of what you are mixing is very important, but you don't have to be drinker to bartend.

Not a bit. We teach you everything you need to know from the ground up. However, we do have a Mastery Program which allows more experienced individuals to expand their knowledge, hone their skills, and refine their craft with a more advanced, independent, and customized curriculum.

We sure do! We are located in a real bar! Our students taste a well-curated selection of liquors and liqueurs. Don't worry - we use colored water during practice time. Wasting alcohol is considered a crime among our kind.

Bartenders earn a salary and tips. The amount of money bartenders earn depends on three things: their customer service skills, the number of customers they serve, and the type of establishment they work at. Some bartenders can earn upwards of $500 on busy nights, but most average at least $100 per shift. Bartending can be a great way to earn side money, or a viable lifelong profession for those who have the passion and the knack. It is what you make of it. Or, as a Beatle once put it, "the love you take is equal to the love you make."

If you've read this far, you are smart enough to follow through with your curiosities and research where to invest your time and money before you spend it. The simple answer here is: we don't quite know why other schools charge what they charge. Perhaps it is a sales tactic or they simply have more rent to pay. What I can tell you is that we pride ourselves on our product, and we base our pricing on fair market value for what we provide, which is simply the best bartender training course in the land.