Shake Things Up with Houston’s 3 Best Bartending Classes
If you’ve ever wandered down Washington Avenue on a Friday night, you know Houston’s nightlife is electric. These days, though, I prefer sipping my drinks slowly, savoring good company, and appreciating a well-crafted cocktail at my favorite local bar.
One night, I watched in awe as a bartender turned a seemingly simple task of mixing drinks into a thrilling performance. It was like watching a magic show! I couldn’t help but wonder how he learned to do that. Did he pick it up on the job, or was there more to it?
A quick online search led me to discover that Houston has fantastic bartending schools that can teach anyone how to mix drinks like a pro.
Whether you want to impress friends at your next party, enjoy a new hobby, or start a career in bartending, Houston’s bartending schools offer hands-on training from expert instructors, mixed with a lot of fun.
Ready to shake, stir, and serve like a real pro? Let’s explore the best bartending classes Houston has to offer.
Texas School of Bartenders
Website: https://texasschoolofbartenders.com/houston-bartending-school/
Location: 3300 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX
Contact details: (512) 497-3745
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
The Texas School of Bartenders has been mixing up success in Houston since 1990, training countless bartenders who’ve gone on to some of the city’s best bars. With their deep knowledge of Houston’s bar and restaurant scene, they know exactly what employers want and prepare students to meet those high standards.
They’ve built strong connections with many of Houston’s hottest spots—bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, and country clubs. This means graduates get a big boost when starting their bartending careers.
At this school, students will learn all the essential skills, like bar setup, breakdown, and check-out. Students will also master free pour, shake, and strain techniques, and be able to whip up over 150 drinks, including more than 30 popular shooters. Plus, the program emphasizes speed and accuracy, so students will be mixing drinks like pros in no time.
The two-week course costs $595, which is quite steep, but still a great investment for anyone serious about starting a bartending career. If you can’t pay upfront, no worries—installment plans start at just $100.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Texas Alcohol and Beverage Code Certification (TABC CERT), a Certification from Texas School of Bartenders, and access to Texas School of Bartenders Job Placement Assistance Program.
One thing to keep in mind is the schedule: classes are Monday to Thursday from 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with no weekend sessions. It’s a set schedule, so students need to be ready to dive in and commit fully.
Hands-on, confidence-building experience
“Had a really great experience! Came in having some knowledge over the bar. This class extended my knowledge around and behind the bar, as well as helping me feel comfortable with what I was making, and increased my speed when/if i’m in the environment of being overwhelmed with orders. Overall, I had a wonderful time, the class and atmosphere was very chilled, along with the teacher. The teacher made us feel extremely comfortable, and made sure to keep reminding us that we’re all there to get better, and not to fret over our small mistakes. I’ve taken other courses in the past where we weren’t hands on, this is definitely anything but. Will absolutely be recommending this to anyone else looking to extend their knowledge or to begin in this field!”
Angie Gutierrez, Google Review
Valuable training and support even after a hiatus from bartending
“I came to Texas School of Bartenders back in 2017, received some of the best bartending stories, tips, and practices from Nathan and Joe. After completing the class, I was unable to find employment right off the back so I stopped pursuing bartending for about one year. A couple of weeks ago, I came in to do some free pouring, spoke to Jim (the owner) and he allowed me to sit in on the classes and get back sharp on mixing drinks. Once I was comfortable enough to get behind an actual bar, he assisted me in finding employment. You will get your money’s worth from this class. So stop by, sign up and become a bartender!”
Makela, Yelp Review
ABC Bartending Schools
Website: https://www.abcbartending.com/bartending-school-houston.php
Contact details: (713) 522-4600
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
ABC Bartending Schools stands out as the largest privately owned bartending school system in the country. With locations all across the U.S., including Houston, they’ve been shaking up the bartending scene since 1977.
Imagine stepping into a fully equipped bar setup where every class feels like a real-world bar experience.
Students will be taught to handle multiple drink orders with speed, organize their bar like pros, and mix up over 100 cocktails with expert mixology guidance. They get to know various liquors inside out, perfect their garnishing skills, and learn the ropes of wine service and draft beer pouring.
The course also spices things up with profit pouring techniques, responsible alcohol service, flair bartending tricks, and cash register basics. Plus, students get a boost with resume writing and interview tips, thanks to the job placement support provided.
For just $395, this all-inclusive program covers certifications and offers incredible value for anyone dreaming of a bartending career, whether full-time or part-time. And the best part? With flexible part-time and weekend classes, fitting bartending school into a busy schedule is a breeze.
Great training and job placement support
“I had a great experience at the school and I would recommend it to anyone interested in bartending. You learn a lot through hands-on experience and the instructors are great, entertaining and knowledgeable. I attended the school a little over two years ago and I am able to go back for a refresher course without any additional cost. They do assist with job placement but just like any other job you have to go out and earn it yourself they provide you with companies that are known to hire people who have graduated from the school. Great place to try it out.”
Kortni, Yelp Review
Expert instructors and a supportive learning environment
“I just completed my course at ABC bartending school. I really enjoyed my class here. My instructor, Nate, was very helpful and informative and made the drink recipes easy to remember. Not to mention he has crazy flare bartending skills. The “classroom” is essentially a giant bar, so you get to practice as if you’re actually working in a bar/club. I highly recommend ABC bartending school to anyone who is looking for an awesome job and a quick certification. On top of everything else, Nate already has jobs lined up for me and I just completed the course 4 days ago!”
Gabby, Yelp Review
Local Bartending School
Website: https://localbartendingschool.com/Houston-TX-bartending-school/
Contact details: (877)-879-7958
Local Bartending School, founded in 2011, has built a strong reputation with 4,292 graduates working across Texas. What makes this school stand out are its flexible learning options, including online and at-home classes, in addition to traditional in-person training.
For those who prefer studying from home, the online courses are a great choice. They’re perfect for busy people or those who like to learn at their own pace.
However, for students who want hands-on experience, the school’s in-person classes are a great option. Students can choose a schedule and a location that works best for them, making it easier to fit training into their lives.
One special feature of Local Bartending School that we like is the option to have an instructor come to a student’s home for private, one-on-one lessons. This allows students to get the benefits of in-person training without having to leave their home.
The school’s main program, The Ultimate Bartending Program, includes a detailed workbook that covers everything from basic to advanced bartending skills. Students will learn how to make over 300 popular cocktails, including favorites like the Margarita and the Texas Tea. The program also covers important aspects like local bar culture, legal requirements, and what Texans ususally prefer, helping students become successful bartenders in Houston and beyond.
Satisfactory online and in-person training
“I had a great experience with LBS. The in-person instructor Dave was WONDERFUL! He went above and beyond to make sure I had a fantastic experience and his teaching methods were top notch! He even went as far as taking me to a couple of local venues for some hands-on training. The online courses could use a small upgrade but most of the information given was pretty useful. I highly recommend LBS for anyone trying to get their foot in the door to bartending who have no prior experience.”
Roel, Yelp Review
Disorganized at-home lessons
“This school is such a joke, I spent a grand to get my certification and learned nothing. I was told my teacher was going to come to my house and teach me personally and that never happened, I had class 30 mins from my house with other students where we poured with water every class for 2 hours, not to mention the communication is awful and my teacher canceled or rescheduled class over 5 times. The whole class was supposed to be 4 weeks long and it has been over 3 months and I still haven’t got my certification or been contacted in weeks. Do not recommend it at all.”
Justin, Yelp Review
