When it comes to learning how to master the art of bar tending many people are confused with which way is best in order to get a sound education and learn the tricks and tips that get you ahead of the game.
As opposed to a bartending course bartending schools do not teach what insiders call "speed bartending".
Most bartending schools teach recipes, terminology, and give a basic feel for the bar by letting students work with bottles of colored liquid that are set up in a "pretend" bar with a well, soda gun, sink, and other bar paraphernalia.
However, while the student does practice pouring, they are never taught the correct procedures for working fast, efficiently, or for working with large drink orders or heavy crowds.
This means that a new bartender who has just graduated from bartending school is not qualified to work in a fast-paced, heavy-volume bar.
Since busy bars are one of the best ways to earn money, a bartender who relies on bartending school as a means to earn a living will be disappointed to learn he is not really able to work at the most lucrative spots! And if for some reasons an inexperienced bartender does land a job at a fast-paced bar, his slow speed and clumsy work flow will most likely either get him fired, or garner the resentment of his colleagues who are working with him.
Slow bartenders do not earn as much in tips, which means that if tips are pooled, as is often the case in a busy bar, the entire bar staff will earn less money because of one slow bartender.
It is a most unpleasant situation for everyone.