A few of my friends and I took bartending classes here and we had a blast! We went in once a week for a couple months, but you can go in more often if you want to finish the classes sooner. They offer classes 4 days a week, I believe, and you can finish it within a couple weeks if you want! We are provided with a book full of recipes and procedures that I still refer to. The inside of the school is like a real bar so you get REAL practice. The only difference is that the bottles are filled with colored water instead of actual liquor so you can practice a million times over, and we have plastic fruit instead of real fruit. The instructors, especially Kenny, are very knowledgeable and go above and beyond in their teaching. Not every bartender in the world is certified, but if you get certified here, you'll likely know more than most bartenders out there. Through the school, I was able to find a couple one-time gigs. Recently, Kenny referred a bar owner to me, and I got hired on the spot!! It's awesome because even after you graduate, you can return to the school to practice for interviews if you want. Come here if you want to get certified quickly, at great cost, and get the necessary knowledge and connections to work at bars in the area! :) read more

This was truly an amazing and fun experience!!! Eric is truly a gift and it is an honor obtaining my license under his leadership and instruction I am truly confident and he will be positively recognized through out my amazing experience ahead! Thank you Erik!!! (knuckle bump) Sincerely, Victoria Niblett read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

I really liked the instructors and learned a lot! They were very hands-on and answered all my questions in ways that were easy to grasp. I liked that the schedules were flexible and you could come in during their open hours to practice extra. The textbook was a bit pricey for how outdated it was (we had to make a lot of corrections during class) and it wasn't the highest quality (blurry pages/some of the pages look like copies of copies). I feel confident applying for jobs with the knowledge and skills I gained from this course. read more

Eric is the absolute best! A great mentor, educator, and fantastic story teller! You'll learn recipes, build confidence, and have a blast! read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Congratulations I got certified as a Bartender with ABC bartending school - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

Needed to find a way to make money while the job market improves so I decided to try bartending since knowledge of making drinks is something I wanted anyway. ABC Bartending School was the best choice for practical experience working in a bar. Erik was extremely knowledgeable & genuinely cared about us learning & making a career out of bartending. read more

Not a school! Messy place, people were talking to each other so loud that you could not concentrate and hear anything to learn anything at the first place! read more

I love the school and it's staff. Sonny is very Knowledgeable and is great at answering any questions you may have. I learned a lot & can't wait to start bartending! read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Sonny & I, I completed the class and received my certificate! - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

Love the fact that its Quick u go on your on paste n u decide how fast u want to finish the course., awsome teachers had fun meet new pple I Wish al schools were this easy n fun lol start school now! read more

So affordable and flexible. I'm taking courses with them and I'm glad they offered me extra help because it's hard for me to make all of the classes. They are so nice to their students. They even offer classes in Spanish. read more

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We only got a "sneak peek" at the real bartending course. My friend came up with this unique idea for a surprise birthday celebration for our friend... take a bartending class together! I have to say, our instructor Jamie was entertaining, knows his stuff, and knows how to teach. We learned how to freepour the correct size shot, and how to make a perfect martini in the first few minutes. We learned a great deal about bartending in the short time he had with us (before we got carried away and wreaked havok on his lesson plan). I would try it out if I really wanted to start a lucrative career on the other side of the bar. But for the time being, I will stay on the bar stool swilling beer and waiting for my turn at the pool table. It doesn't pay as well but I'm damned good at it. read more

I actually thought I had already posted this.....but guess not ABC gets 5 stars in book. Everyone there is friendly and knowledgable about each and every drink and what each alcohol is made up of. I decide to take the one week class, just so I could get my hours in and learn the drinks. However I would suggest that of you have the time to take the 2 week class. read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

Kenny Kroll is a great teacher, he is extremely thorough and knowledgeable. He made the class fun and interesting. I recommend taking this class read more

ABC Bartending Schools - My tequila sunrise :-) Bartending class is fun - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

I was really excited to enroll in the school, but realized I wouldn't be able to complete the program due to scheduling issues. Keith and the other staff were very understanding and tried to offer alternative solutions. In the end, they kindly offered me a full refund. Perhaps one day, I'll return! read more

I had a 4 real ball at San Leandro ABC, Natasia is one of the instructors and she's SUPER cool, I've yet to meet Kenny but always hear great things about him from others thats had the chance to have him as their instructor.. Then there's another instructor I had named Heather. She only teaches at ABC once a week, I totally like her style of teaching, she's a real fun and bubbly person. I received my certificate yesterday, and I am truly proud to say ABC taught me what I now know about the bartending field. Overall ABC San Leandro is BOMB... Instructors are awesome, & Some of the students you meet in class are cool too. I def recommend ABC to anyone that's truly interested in the bartending field. If you don't choose ABC.... You're loosing out on a GREAT learning and hands on experience. read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

The staff set me up with an accelerated schedule and thanks to Erik I aced my exam! I had fun and learned a lot, and am looking forward to getting to work! read more

amazing teachers who make sure u get the information an know exactly what you're going to be up against in the bartending field

Was only in town for a week staying with my parents in San Leandro and wanting to take this course. They worked with me to make sure I could get certified within the time I would be in town and offered me a hybrid version of the class, so half online and one weekend behind the bar. I had Erik as my instructor and he made the class fun and entertaining. He also went out of his way to come in and help me practice so that I could pass my tests before leaving town! Super happy with my experience here and would highly recommend this school! read more

This school is the bomb I didn't know anything about alcohol when I first signed up I just knew it was dark or clear. They have expanded my knowledge and given me a useful skill. I'm happy that I get to learn just how diverse alcohol really is and the history behind it. ABC is not like most schools where you sit through and 1 hour - 2 hour lecture, this is all hands on and that's what I love because we get to practice making all the drinks we learn about! The instructors are knowledgeable and comical so I always get a good laugh in during class. I wish I could give higher start because Im having an awesome time while still learning a ton! Don't get confused though you will need to read and put in work if you want to be a great bartender but it is nice how supportive this school is! Look at the pictures to see the two drinks I made today one Blue Hawaiian and a Singapore sling !! read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

I just passed both exams yesterday and cannot emphasize what an amazing teacher Erik is. He gives you absolutely every opportunity to succeed and caters to each student's individual needs. His lectures are captivating and I truly feel he gives you the tools needed to be successful in this field of work. If you are thinking of becoming a bartender there is no better place to start then here! read more

I graduated and I had many great experiences with every subject at school and all the Instructors are very intelligent and they have a lot of sense humor. The school Schedules are very flexible and their text book is very advance and very handy. ABC Bartending is worth the time & money and its very awesome. my experience with my classmates was cool and nice, we all help each other out and exchange numbers at the end. Thank you ABC Bartending School i have interview to go. -Dylan Gonzales read more

Really enjoyed my ABC Bartending experience! The owner, Jon, is such a nice guy! My friends and family all joined in because of the great deal and service he offered. Even better, when taking the classes the instructors were extremely knowledgeable on the subject, supportive, and passionate. That was much appreciated given there's quite a learning curve. I learned so much, including valuable industry tips and real world techniques. No better place to get certified! Shout out to Eric and Shawn for the great work! read more

This school is definitely a valuable resource for those looking for work in the service industry. They're very affordable for the program they offer. It's nice being able to know you're able to complete this school at your own pace and attend at the times within their schedule that works best for you. Having this peace of mind and flexibility of time was great since I had full time units at a regular community college while attending this school on the weekends myself. The weekend teacher Erik is awesome, his teaching style is very engaging. He's hilarious when he cracks his jokes and has a good method of teaching as he makes it easy for the students to categorize and memorize what he teaches. Never be afraid to ask him any questions during class cause he will answer any of them. Overall, as a student who just finished and got certified, I totally recommend this school to anyone who's interested in pursuing bartending or work in the service industry. read more

Erik was great! He made the class fun and and kept it entertaining with his sense of humor. I graduated with honors thanks to him!

Best experience ever. If you are wanting to bartend, this is the place to go.. and Erik is the man to see. He is hilarious,educated above and beyond,& has such a versatile teaching style, he makes sure you understand the basics and builds you up from there. He works at your pace, answers all your questions simple or advanced. This man can make ANYYTHING, make sense AND make them memorable!! Half the battle is remembering all the recipes, liquors, liqueurs, juices, etc I'm beyond happy to be a graduate of this school and to bring good representation to ABC. Will definitely be sending people over to Erik's class. -Aliyah H read more

This bartending class was invaluable! I wish I took it when I was 21! Kenny Kroll is a great teacher!!! He was extremely thorough, taught us the right way of bartending and to look out for the wrong! Since I graduated, I was able to get picked up for several bartending jobs immediately, and it was all because Kenny taught me how to properly bartend. Do it right the first time! Another reason I got picked up by several bars right away is because Kenny encouraged us to guest bartend at his club. This is crucial if you want to become a bartender. Experience can not be substituted! Overall, the class was worth EVERY penny because not only do I have a skill that I can fall back on anywhere I go, but I also learned the "who, what, when, where, and why" of alcohol -- this is critical if you're going to professionally serve alcoholic drinks or if you're a lifetime party animal! Thanks Kenny for your patience with my incessant questions, your extensive knowledge of bartending, and your professionalism! read more

ABC Bartending Schools surpassed my expectations in every way. The combination of product knowledge and practical expertise (i.e., expert instruction plus real-time experience making drinks) means that I not only know the fundamentals on how to build a drink, precise recipes and other technical skills but that I actually know how to apply all that knowledge and throw down behind a bar. I could pat myself on the back and say my flashcards or work ethic or studying made me the confident bartender I am today but I would be lying. In truth, I owe everything to Kenny. So...this review is really about Kenny. And if I could give him these 5 stars with 2 snaps and a Z formation, I would. Kenny is an historian. He is incredibly, almost encyclopedically, knowledgeable about every aspect of bartending. I got to hear the origins of many alcohols and liqueurs, the histories behind them, how certain drinks got their names and so much more. Kenny is a delight. He made everything engaging and fun. He is hilarious and his warmth and openness puts everyone at ease and creates an ambiance of camaraderie. Kenny is a professional. He's been doing this for 13 years. The man has serious skills. And with so much experience, you're not going to stump him with a question or come across a situation relating to bar life he hasn't already lived through. Kenny is clever. The mnemonics he comes up with are brilliant and so, so helpful. There's no way I could remember all this stuff without his tips and tricks. Kenny wants you to succeed. He is the manager over at Club 21 and is the reason we have the opportunity to guest bartend there for real life experience. He also hooked me up with 2 solid job leads the day I passed my test. BOOM. I could probably say more but some of us have to work! You should go here. And you should see Kenny. Cheers! read more

FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO LOCATION. But phoned a 510 area code number to setup everything, which I assume was San Leandro. I really was dissatisfied with the professionalism from this company. I found this group via bartending schools on google and they were one of the top choices. I called in, they sounded completely nice and professional. They took down my email address, and told me they would email me a confirmation for my classes and location in San Francisco (which by the way, is with another private bartending school and they were being bought out by ABC). Also they said they would be able to help me find work. So the next day, I never got an email, I phoned in again to verify what happened, and of course they copied down the wrong email address. So I tell them again, and wait another day. Second day or time around, no email, they screwed up again and by this time I already felt like backing out and asking for a refund because they took down my credit card information on my first phone call and charged me instantly that day. Unprofessional. We finally get my email correct and I receive confirmation on the third day. THEN....I write back to the email they sent me to verify the address of the school they are sending me to and I never heard back from them AT ALL. I had to literally call in the first day of my class to double check since I had no response for about at least one week. The only thing that made me happy about choosing this was the instructors teaching me, more specifically Kelly , Lucine, and Kyle. They were very professional, experienced, nice, open and honest. But as for the people I spoke to on the phone and whoever emailed me; very disappointing and unprofessional. Update: Okay well I never had any job offers or at least an interview after graduating. And on top of that, after graduating, they said I would get my certificate within one week. Nothing came for 2 weeks. I had to phone in several times, and finally I talked to John, who took care of getting my certificate right away. In conclusion, I felt I was better off learning how to bartend from a friend instead of paying money because I mainly paid to get a "certificate" and to hopefully at least find a job with their connections, which didn't happen, not even job interviews. It's probably because I wrote the negative critiques before I graduated (which weren't even that bad except for not finding a job) here on yelp, but hey that's what happened to me and it's the truth! 0-1 star for recruitment services, organization and for not setting me up with any job interviews or jobs period. 5 stars for the teaching staff, which balances to 3 stars. read more

I came in to ABC Bartending School just for the hell of it and dragged along 2 of my companions, and we all agree that we had a blast. As a recent college grad, I really had no idea what to do with my life and since I'm not getting any results from applying to jobs, I've decide to give bartending a try. I mean...it can really help out my wallet - being unemployed for the time being. For the program being so cheap compared to other bartending schools, I went in expecting that I will just get what I paid for...which got me a bit nervous that I might not enjoy the class. The place looks a bit small but don't hesitate to go in just because of the exterior! The school itself is a bar environment setting so it is quite useful and the teachers are AWESOME. I had the pleasure of having Natasia, Kenny, and Jaimie as teachers. - Natasia is really chill and definitely likes to see her students succeed. She is really easy to approach and would offer any help you need. - Kenny is very knowledgable and experienced. He is very easy to talk to even knows chinese! I was very impressed. - Jamie is just. cool. He is so funny and teaches you certain drinks not because you need to know for the class, but because it will help you out alot in the future. All of them REALLY know their stuff inside and out. Not only will they teach you how to mix drinks, but they will also teach you how to be a GOOD bartender ranging from tricks, aesthetics, and inside stories of 'behind the scenes' of bartending. I really enjoy the class and I was always ready and excited to go to class the next day knowing that I will be learning something new. And the other students taking the class are awesome as well as we all try to help each other and give each other support. After graduating, I was surprise that I was even allow to use the place to practice mixing drinks in the future. This really show that ABC really cares about their students and want them to succeed as bartenders. I will definitely take advantage of this because once an ABC, always an ABC. If you're thinking about bartending, I highly recommend ABC Bartending School. read more

ABC was great. I did the one week program with a friend at a discounted price that was part of a special they had--about 50% off (awesome). All of the instructors are amazing and really know their stuff. I mostly had Natasia--who is hilarious--and Kenny as instructors. Both are very knowledgeable, approachable, helpful, and really just downright friendly. It was actually bittersweet walking out of the place after getting our certificates! The one-week course is pretty fast paced, but at the same time they give you plenty of time to practice, so if you put in the effort you should be fine. The instructors will really help you, too. Thanks to them I feel very prepared and comfortable behind the bar, and feel pretty confident that I can get a job as they also help with job placement. They also allow you to come back whenever to practice. From experience I can say it's really rare to find a class environment that promotes your growth in that particular field so much, but that's what they dedicate themselves to at ABC. Definitely contact them if you're interested! read more

Loved it. Seriously, some of the most fun I've ever had. There are basically six days of lessons to get through and they have those courses Saturday-Wednesday. They're split up so that you can finish in one week if you go all day Monday-Wednesday, two weeks if you go at the same times Mon-Wed over two weeks and I believe the weekend courses are rotated so that you can finish in two weekends as well. I only went during the week, so I could be wrong. You can make up any of the lessons you missed any time they are holding them, though. All of the teachers have different teaching styles, and they're all great, but Kenny is definitely the stand-out teacher there. He'll go into the history of things, and why certain drinks are called what they are, give you tips on remembering which ingredients go into which drinks, etc... Very informational guy. Extremely nice, too. They have a job placement website you may use once you get your certificate, which I didn't really use. I got my job at a dive bar through a friend of a friend and it's a lot of fun, even though it's a dive. I definitely recommend this place to my friends. I've even told some of them I would take the classes with them if they wanted to go - Also one of the perks of this place - once you've paid for your courses, you can go back ANY time; regardless of if you've finished or not. Even if you don't plan on bartending, the courses are way fun and it's also nice to know how to mix drinks in case you want to figure out what kind of drinks you'd like best. The people that took the courses at the same time as me were all nice and social, so I recommend this place for a good time and bartending itself is a lot of fun, especially the tips. read more

So, my girlfriend and I first looked into SF Bartending, and while it is highly regarded, it also costs $400 a person. That's when ABC Bartending came along, and we paid $360 - for both of us. You get what you pay for. One ghettofabulous setup in San Leandro, where some punk kids threw rocks at us in the shopping mall parking lot between the BART station and the "school." ABC was really relaxed about attendance, which was great, and I still felt that Nate, our instructor, was awesome. Who cares that it doesn't have the fancy schmancy video training system? Bartending can be challenging, but it ain't rocket science. read more

Wow! This program fully exceeded my expectations! I took the "two weekend" course and was nervous about the long days and if I was going to retain ALL of the information. I'm here to tell you that this school is an advocate FOR YOU! They want you to succeed and instill complete confidence in you. My instructor was Kenny and he is one of the most amazing and passionate teachers I have ever had. He shares his trade secrets with you and gives you amazing mnemonic devices to recall different drink recipes. He is funny, entertaining and so very knowledgeable. It's obvious that he loves what he does and that love and passion rubs off on his students. The very first thing he does is give you his cell phone number to "text him anytime" with questions or concerns. I've never had such a dedicated or available teacher. He also implements ALL the different learning styles to help every kind of student. Audio, visual, kinesthetic.....I wish all schools and teachers would be so aware! Along with the book work and memorizing drink recipes comes real hands-on experience. You have your own bar station with real liquor and liqueur bottles (filled with colored water, of course) and you get to stand behind the bar and practice making the drinks that you just learned about. You practice using the proper technique, correct glass and accurate proportions. The school is of the belief that you learn by actually "doing". Finally, Kenny invites you to be a Guest Bartender at Club21 in Oakland! You invite your friends and family and get real-world experience. What a blessing this is because you are so nervous that you won't remember all that you have learned and now you can put it into effect with the people who love you the most and will be the most understanding! You also get to learn how the POS system works, taking money and working in a functioning bar. This school is worth every penny that you pay for it! Don't wait any longer....call and register today! read more

I just have to take a moment and give MAD PROPS to Kenny!! He was my teacher for my Bartending course. If I had to use one word to describe him, it would have to be "AWESOME"!!! Kenny, is a pro-Professional at his job! He cares! I knew nothing about Liquor before starting the course and now, I OWN A BARTENDING BUSINESS!! I still contact him and ask questions. He saids, over and over again, "call me anytime". He means it!! He teaches. He calls his teaching, lectures. In college, a lecture was considered boring, AND Kenny is NOT boring! I can't say enough about him. I can only say, Thank you!! read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Leandro, California

Hello everyone, my name is Quisha and I am a former graduate of ABC Bartending School. I have to say I definitely am glad that I picked this school to attend to receive my bartending license from. The staff are great. Not only was I able to take the class for the best deal EVER from livingsocail,I was able to complete the course in the matter of two weeks ( two Saturdays and Sundays) and then take the test whenever I was ready. So there was absolutely no pressure!! Friendly people, friendly staff, very helpful with explaining anything you don't understand and teaching with great techniques to make you understand the material. I would hands down recommend this school to any and everyone interested in bartending. Thank you ABC =) read more

ERIK IS THE FUCKING MAN... no question he makes sure you knows the in and outs of drinks, cocktails, best practices, AND HOW TO GET MONEY...

Saw a great LivingSocial.com deal to take bartending classes and obtain a bartending certificate at the Mtn. View location for only like $100-something and with the awesome reviews, I purchased it! Months later, I've called a few times and they are always booked during the times I can go and so they tell me I can go to the San Leandro location (they say it in a nice tone at least). If I had wanted to go out of my way and go to San Leandro, I would have bought the deal for that location... Living Social doesn't give you a refund after 5 days, but I emailed them about my situation and they totally understood. They credited me so I have $100-something in Living Social credit, which is awesome. I was really excited about going here and I bet I would have had a great experience like these other Yelpers, but now I'll never know... I would say that if they are going to do another deal like this, offer the dates up front and let the customer choose when they buy their deal so they know if a certain date is already sold out. For example: I would like to have chosen Mtn View location for the 4 day (2 week total) weekend classes on the weekend of 12/10 and 12/17 or something. Anyway, maybe in the future... If you buy, just make sure you all them immediately after to schedule before they are all booked up. read more

OK, I'll admit it- I'm a sceptic of bar-tending schools. I honestly believe that over half the people who go there never even go on to get jobs as bartenders and I've put off going because it was far more exciting for me to just make fun of those other yahoos. But, I digress. I finally cowboyed up and did some research. Out of all the bar-tending schools out there this is one of the cheapest and the school itself, albeit ghetto as all get out, boasts some of the best instructors. Once I got there I was surprised by how welcoming my instructor, Asher, was. I took the weekend courses and he wasn't the douche-y, full-of-himself bartender/ teacher I was expecting. On the contrary, he was super warm, receptive, incredibly fun and spastic (in the best way possible) and fit a lot of information into a very well structured, succinct course. And these courses cater to the bartender wannabes & and never-gunna- bes alike. If bar-tending is really your goal- the instructors give you tons of information on how to navigate jobs, coordinate drink volumes with prices, get through to those bitchy customers, etc- it's all incredibly helpful. And, if you're one of those yahoos I mentioned earlier that's just interested in making a good drink & not planning on cashing in- then that's fine too- this place actually gives you all the info you need and doesn't judge your intentions... even if i do... sorry, btw, for the yahoo comment... no harm meant- really. Anyways, all in all a great, fun, informative course. Asher's a rockstar and I've heard nothing but good things about the other two teachers @ San Leandro as well: Jamie & Natasia. Oh, and if this matters at all- all the instructors are oddly good looking- if indie/ rockabillie/ grunge is your thing. ;) read more

I was completely new to bartending and had to squeeze it in as I own a fitness studio so I am fairly busy during the week. I graduated in 4 weeks and just finished my first day at my bartending job and felt so prepared and confident thanks to Erik. He is a GREAT instructor and very accommodating. I would arrive on weekends to practice pouring and he opened the doors for me early every Saturday and Sunday. He really prepares you and provides you with an incredible foundation of knowledge and practice so that you are good to go at your first job! He is entertaining but very informative and patient. He welcomes questions. This was without a doubt an awesome place to learn the trade and definitely very affordable. read more

I took the bartending class in San Leandro about 6 months ago. It was one of the more cooler learning experiences this year. I'm not a bartender but it's something I want to do in the future. Took this to learn the skills of the trade and find out if I want to quit my office job to work a bar (I do lol). What sets this class apart from ways of learning to bartend, including on the job experience (based on what I see), is its emphasis on speed. The instructors really push you to not just know the drinks, but to make them fast. If you are out looking for jobs, this is something that will set you apart. The class moves at a fast pace. You are expected to learn a lot of drinks in a short amount of time and be able to make them fast. This is less of a "fun thing to do" and more a way to learn skills that directly help getting a bartending job. Kenny, who runs the place, is a great instructor and a great dude who will help you get that job you're looking for. Tewana was my other teacher and she was great also. They push you, and if you can keep up they're a lot of fun. Recommend the class for anyone that wants to be a bartender or wants to be a better bartender. The world needs faster, better bartenders, and ABC breeds those. read more

Reason for visit: why not! Visit date: October 1, 2011 First time? You betcha. I took the one-night Mixology course. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it was a lot of fun! The instructors, Jamie and Natasia, tell it like it is. They gave us the run down on bar set-up; showed us proper techniques (and some tricks) for pouring, bar etiquette, and mixing drinks; and gave us a lesson in liquor vs liqueur and classic vs party drinks. The atmosphere is casual; it's a good place to learn if you're a bartending novice. Bring a jacket, they turn up the a/c. Who's up for chocolate cake? read more