Atlanta’s Top Bartending Schools

  • By: BT Staff
  • Date: February 5, 2024
  • Time to read: 6 min.

This guide will focus on full bartending schools in Atlanta that offer classes from pouring beers to making cocktails and preparing drinks quickly.

While you don’t need a bartending certificate to work in most parts of the Peach State (including Atlanta), some cities require completing responsible service (RASS) training. These cover issues like avoiding serving underage patrons or overserving guests. Many of the complete bartending courses do cover these as well. If you plan to work in a city or county requiring responsible service training, check with your school if their programs meet the requirements.

Bartending Schools Around Atlanta, Georgia

When choosing an Atlanta bartending school, it’s important to consider factors such as class schedules, course offerings, and job placement assistance.

Many of these bartending schools in Atlanta offer job placement assistance to their graduates, helping them find employment at local bars, restaurants, and other liquor-serving establishments. Additionally, some schools, such as ABC Bartending School, have partnerships with nationwide chains and other large-scale employers, offering even more job opportunities to their graduates.

If you’re looking for a local bartending school, here are some in Atlanta. We recommend you check their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before committing money to a course with them. Even national schools can have different quality trainers depending on the location.

ABC Bartending School

Founded by bartender Tony Sylvester in Miami in 1977, ABC is a national bartending school with locations nationwide, from New York to Los Angeles.

ABC Bartending Schools, a bartending school in Atlanta on Windy Hill Road, has over 35 years of nationwide experience preparing students for their careers.

The 40-hour program provides a combination of classroom and hands-on training, ensuring individual attention for each student.

The program offers flexible scheduling, and classrooms have the latest tools and technology. Graduates receive a worldwide-accepted diploma with certification in bartending mixology, beer and wine training, and responsible serving techniques and standards. Job placement assistance is available with daily contact with Atlanta and Georgia establishments, and graduates are entitled to nationwide job placement and free refresher classes.

2359 Windy Hill Rd SE STE 330, Marietta, GA 30067-8660

Phone: (770) 952-2588

https://www.abcbartending.com/bartending-school-atlanta.php

Action Bartending School

Action Bartending School offers hands-on training behind a real bar, providing students with the necessary skills and confidence to become successful bartenders. Each student is assigned a fully stocked bar station to practice the bartending process. Most class time is spent at their station, where they learn hands-on and practice the art of mixology.

At Action, you will practice making over 100 drink recipes while learning the principles of mixology. You will learn about liquor, wine, and beer history, bar set-up and equipment, mixology, speed techniques, fruit and garnishes, customer service, and alcohol awareness.

6185 Buford Hwy Ste E150, Norcross, GA 30071-2383

Phone: (770) 300-8998

https://actionbartendingschool.com

Professional Bartending School of Atlanta

At the Professional Bartending School of Atlanta, students observe experienced instructors prepare and explain each cocktail in front of them while sitting at a real bar. Afterwards, students are allowed to practice making drinks behind the bar under the close supervision of the instructors.

With over 30 years of on-the-job work experience in bartending and management, the teaching staff at the Professional Bartending School of Atlanta is dedicated to preparing students to excel in their careers.

In addition to a textbook, students learn “tricks of the trade” from the instructors. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the campus and speak with the staff to learn more about the program and its benefits.

3754 Buford Hwy NE Ste C1, Atlanta, GA 30329-1070

Phone: (404) 321-5856

https://actionbartendingschool.com

South Atlanta Bartending School 

South Atlanta Bartending School is a leading, affordable, fast, fun mixology training provider. The school offers a certification program that teaches the most popular and classic cocktails made behind the bar. The program is open to anyone over 18 interested in learning the art of bartending for fun or events.

Classes are held Monday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students can choose one day of the week to complete their one-day class, except on holidays and during inclement weather. The program educates students on the proper pouring techniques, recipes, verbiage, and the confidence needed behind the bar.

South Atlanta Bar School also offers a Pop Up class for $190, a 1 hour and 30 minutes hands-on session that teaches the pour count, popular drink recipes, tools used behind the bar, and the confidence needed to be behind the bar. The pop-up class is perfect for those wanting to try bartending before committing to the full program. Students can take as many classes as they need or want to.

6740 Hwy 85 Suite 1 Riverdale Georgia 30274

Phone: (404) 226-8055

https://learnhowtobartendfast.com

Georgia Bartenders School

Georgia Bartending School offers a two-week certification course that trains students to become professional bartenders/mixologists. The classroom is set up like a real bar, providing hands-on training to help students feel comfortable and prepared to work in a real bar after completing the course.

Upon completion, job placement is provided. Becoming a bartender can be a great way to earn cash while having a flexible schedule and meeting new people.

15 Travis Street, Savannah, Georgia 31406

Phone: (912) 480-9823

https://georgiabartenderschool.com

Atlanta Bartending Schools FAQ

Here are some common questions people ask about bartending schools in Atlanta, Georgia.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Be a Bartender in Georgia?

You need to be 18 to bartend or serve alcohol in Georgia, according to the

How Do I Become a Bartender in Atlanta, GA?

At the state level, no bartender licence is required to be a bartender in Georgia.

In most counties, obtaining Georgia alcohol certification is not compulsory. However, it’s worth noting that even if not required by state or city laws, many employers may mandate their bartenders to obtain a Georgia alcohol certification to fulfil their liability insurance requirements. Also, a bartending class can help improve your skills as a bartender.

We have a complete guide to becoming a bartender in Georgia here.

Do Schools Offer Weekend Classes?

Yes, many bartender schools do offer weekend or evening classes. Check with the local bartending school you are interested in attending.

Some schools also offer accelerated training, usually squeezing a two-week course into a week.

How Much Is a Bartending License in GA?

There are no state-wide requirements for a license to bartend in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol and Tobacco Division manages alcohol sales.

However, some cities and counties in Georgia require server training (RASS: Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service).

How Much Does a Bartender Course Cost in Atlanta?

It depends on if the course is taught online or in person and how long it is. Other factors are what you are being trained on and whether bar tools and equipment are supplied.

If you’re only getting your alcohol server certificate, this is usually under $50; however, most sources put the cost of an entire bartending course (mixology, preparing drinks, etc.) in the range of $375 to $700, depending on the qualification, with an average cost of $500.

Here are some examples we found:

How Do I Become a Certified Bartender in Georgia?

If the city or county you plan to work in requires Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training, this can be done online for as little as $15-$20

How Long Is Bartending School in Atlanta?

It depends on the length of the course and what kinds of training you are taking. If you’re taking Responsible Alcohol Sales (required in some parts of Georgia) training, it can be done in as little as two hours.

Others that teach more of the industry may be up to 40 hours (usually taking 1-2 weeks to complete) and cover everything from making drinks to knowing how to serve cocktails, wines and beers.

RASS Training Programs

If you need your Alcohol Compliance Training, here are some we found listed. These courses last approximately 2 hours and provide an overview of the current alcohol-related regulations in Georgia, including state laws, ordinances, and codes that may impact your daily operations. The course also covers criminal and civil liabilities you should know.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to become a professional bartender in Atlanta, several excellent choices for a local bartending school in the area can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this exciting industry.


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