This is an honest review of my experience with this bartending school. There is no magical school that will allow you to go from a pure beginner to ready-to-bartend in two weeks. What this class does well, is get you ahead with the basics. You'll learn bar equipment, the order in which to do things, and the general flow of bartending. All of that is great. Unfortunately, the school does not have you make any actual alcoholic drinks. You only use water the whole time. This is not clear when you pay for the class. To be a bartender, it is required to make actual drinks to taste them. I was disappointed about this. Also, they claim to have job placement for the class graduates. Their "job placement" is just a list of restaurants/bars that say they're hiring. It has suggested hours to go in- but they aren't updated. After I graduated I went to 5 bars on the list during the mentioned time, and all of them were either closed or not hiring. Also, the class is quite expensive and in my opinion that cost should include the merchandise they offer such as a drink notepad, bartending kit, etc. I am now an experienced bartender. Worked at 4 craft bars. While the teachers are really nice, the drink methods are completely outdated. The way I was taught in this class to make several drinks was deemed wrong by multiple places. This class is fun. The people are nice to work with, and the bonding is nice too. It will give you a leg up in the bartending world. Do not expect a magical answer however. 3/5 read more

This place is INCREDIBLE! If you're looking for a bartending certificate in the Philly area, this place is it. They teach everything from mix drinks, frozen drinks, after dinner drinks to beers and wines. You'll also learn the PA state laws for serving alcohol and how to flag customers at a bar. This is an interactive course and you'll spend 70% of your time behind the bar practicing drinks and mixology. The class schedule is also EXTREMELY flexible. You can go full time M-F, part time M-F evenings or weekends. You can also switch it up and make up classes whenever you can. You'll take a final exam and graduate with the Diploma of Mixology (bartender certification) since they're a state licensed bartending school. Shout out to Clare, Tony, Debbie and Melissa! They're the best! read more

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Excellent school and training program. Instructors were great and had many personal stories to relate to students. Great owner. I would highly recommend read more

After 30 years in the business world I was ready for a change and needed something that was fun to do. I decided that bartending would be the perfect new career for me. I went to Main Line Center for Bartending and learned so much in just one week ! After I got my mixology certificate, I got my first bartending job very quickly. The bar I was working at served mostly beer and simple drinks. 6 months into my job I had the opportunity to get a job in a more upscale bar that serves craft cocktails. I did not feel my skills were where they needed to be for a job of this caliber so I went back to Mainline for a refresher class. The class was free and gave me the skills and confidence I needed to nail the job ! I highly recommend Main Line. The classes are fun and the staff is knowledgeable and very helpful ! Thank you Main Line !! read more

When I was moving from Florida to Philadelphia, I enrolled to Mainline 1 week course with the intentions of becoming a Bartender looking for a fighting chance to get employment in the service industry. The class and curriculum consisted of hands on drilling: mixing drinks, reviewing the knowlegde of becoming a proper bartender, participating in class memory games, and socializing amongst peers that have the same end goal. In my opinion it was more than a class but a clinic. The first day was a bit tough but with the constant drills and fun-friendly enviroment, it felt less like a class course but a place that gave you a purpose, so the stuff being taught felt really easy to remember by the second day. The staff/teachers were also super helpful in helping me finding work after the course. I was hired at the Hyatt in Philadelphia within a couple of weeks. Really this course doesn't only prep you to be a bartender, but a proper mixologist that can mix, pour and make over 150+ drinks. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll make all of them, but it's always good to know more than what's on the menu. Mixing and making drinks really does give a sense/feeling of providing entertainment to people that come to your bar, and a happy customer means good tips! All of that being said, I had a fantastic time at this school and it has taught me more than I could have possibly imagined in becoming a bartender. I strongly suggest going to this school if you want to become a well rounded Bartender! read more

Amazing experience at Main Line Center for Bartending!! 10/10. All of the teachers were super helpful and knowledgeable. The class schedule was flexible which allowed me to complete the whole course on my own time. I was able to get a job right away within a week of taking this course. Not only was this course helpful in teaching you every drink you would ever need to know, it was also lots of fun!! Lots of hands on practice behind the bar making mixed drinks. There is also a lecture about beer/wine to familiarize you with different types. I would definitely recommend this class for anyone interested bartending- you will know what you're doing after this class!! Thank you Tony and Claire for a great experience! read more

Although their location may be a bit hidden, this place is definitely not one to miss. The majority of the time spent in class is hands-on using dyed water to replicate dozens and dozens of drinks from the classics, to concoctions I had never even heard of. The teachers were all super friendly and created a very comfortable atmosphere where any question was valid. Overall, I loved my experience here; definitely a highlight of my summer! read more

I took the class twice. I took it when I first graduated college over 5 years ago and didn't really take the class seriously and never got a Bartending job. This time around I put in the time and work with the teachers there and ended up getting a job within a month of graduating. The classes are incredibly helpful because of all the practice you get behind a bar to make sure you get your counts right. Tony and the staff there are there to answer any and all questions you have so make sure you get your money's worth and actually interact. It's not up to them to find you a job you are there to learn and work with them and they are there to help! Bottom line if you really want to be a bartender out in your time here and show the incredibly helpful staff you want it and good things will come! read more

Love Love Love this school and really want to thank them. Worth the money all the way and I have a job! The teacher are very interpersonal and knowledgeable. Very professional but still friendly. I did the one week course which was Monday to Friday 9:30am-5:30pm and I must say it was VERY INTENSE you would be a fools not to remember anything that they teach you because they still it in you lol. The most important and helpful part about the course is that your literally behind the bar. Not just sitting there listening but actually doing what you learn. I have a passion for mixology and bartending and very happy I invested into this to knowledge myself more about the craft. If your like me and skeptical about bartending and don't think it's worth the money I believe it is and this is the school for it! Check it out!! read more

Main Line Center For Bartending - Me making lime and lemon wedges! One of the many lessons - Bartending Schools Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This is such a great place to learn how to become a bartender! They not only teach you how to make drinks, but you learn history about it. You will constantly be behind the bar making drinks and you will get the sense of comfortability. I was so pleased that this was open with COVID happening, just trying to look for a new change. They do take great precautions in case you worry. Mask required, temperatures are taken upon arrival and social distancing of each student. Very pleased I got the chance to go here and learn what I did. Proud to say I am a Mixologist now and love my job as bartending!! read more

Awesome Instructors, very helpful and friendly! They taught me all the drinks I need for bartending, plus more. Also they are more then happy to help you look for a job after school is finished. read more

Absolutely fabulous experience throughout! I took the week long intensive and it was a lot of fun. It requires a bit of studying review, but it feels like a great accomplishment at the end & they give you every tool to succeed. The staff was professional and it was clear that they wanted for us to succeed. It was ostensible that each teacher focused on the learning style of the students, tailoring the material to what each of us needed to retain the information & be the best we could be at our new skill. Who is better at reading people than bartenders? :-) They knew just how to help each of us with the proper balance of challenging us to grow and encouraging us to get there! Tony and the staff are incredibly kind, welcoming & knowledgable people. As far as an investment; I made my money back within 2 days of short shifts at bartending work. I was placed in a job the following week. Interviewing 2 days after graduating :-). Tony and my former teachers were rooting for me all the way! :-) :-) If you are considering this, sign up, do it and finish. Bartending is a job that you can do anywhere, and a skill that will be useful and needed everywhere. In addition, you'll meet some great people, laugh, and share in some delightful stories & memories. Go for it! Cheers, Salud & Prost! read more

Very great school, I strongly recommend this to anyone who wants to get into bartending without having to work their way up as a server or barback. I was a student at WCU when I started, so I was only able to make it to the Saturday classes. Awesome instructors, very helpful, and a lot of information given. You do have to put in the work to get a job, but they are very helpful with posting job listings, giving job advice, and even helping with creating a resume. Also they are very flexible with payment plans. read more

What can I say about Main Line Bartending? First off a very professional class that taught me all I needed to know to become a bartender. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The course is well thought out and executed so that in only a week's time you feel confident to go out and pursue your career as a bartender. They have job placement that is available 24/7 on their website but also Tony is always there to help you find a job. I was extremely happy with my choice of attending Main Line Bartending and would highly recommend anyone looking to get into the field to attend too. You won't be disappointed. read more

This is the most affordable bartending school in the area and they do a very good job. You learn all the most popular cocktails and practice making them a lot. Know that what you get out of it is what you put into it. Some people didn't bother to study the drinks when they went home, and ended up having to retake the final test, and complained about it. If you actually put the effort in and really want to learn how to be a good bartender, though, you can easily ace the test and get certified. The trainers are all very helpful and knowledgeable professional bartenders who don't just teach you how to make drinks but also pass on a lot of great stories from their experience. What you need to realize is what bartending school is and what it isn't. A lot of restaurants and bars will not hire you if you don't have previous bartending experience, even once you've graduated from a school. But plenty of places will. When you graduate, you get access to the school's online job listing. It's really helpful, but you need to know how to use it. They'll list lots of places in the area that are hiring, but don't necessarily have any relationship with the school, so if you show up with your resume in hand they'll take one look at it and throw it in the trash after you leave if there's no bartending experience on it. What you want to do is look out for job postings on the school's list that specifically refer you to someone there and say "tell him/her you are from our school." These are the places that specifically contacted the school because they're looking for bartenders, and are willing to hire people with training but without previous experience in the field. I've got my first bartending job without ever being a barback or even a server first because of such an opportunity - but you might have to be a bit patient after graduating for the right opportunity to come up in your area. I definitely recommend the school if you want to start bartending, just be realistic about what your options will be and don't expect to start out at the hottest craft cocktail restaurant downtown. Your best bet starting out is chain restaurants and catering companies. Good luck, everyone! read more

This place is the worst and a waste of money. They baited me in by saying they offer job placement, after I paid my 500 dollars and passed the course they gave me a damn list of jobs that are hiring and told me to apply; job placement right?! Most of these jobs are only hiring experienced bartenders, or they aren't hiring at all. I would advise anybody who wants to be a bartender go to a place that is connected to jobs that garauntees you a position when you finish the course. I wanted to give this place no 0 stars but that wasn't an option. This place sucks!!!!! read more

This school was great. I recently (June,2015) just finished the course and enjoyed it so much. The 3 girls that teach are so nice and helpful. When I first started I thought there was no way I was going to remember what to put and how much to put in all the drinks but they really do a great job at drilling them into your head! After you pass the test they have a celebration night at Spankys Pub where you get to guest bartend, which is great for when you go to look for a job, you're able to say you've had experienced. I got a job at my local sports bar the next day. Kind of hard to believe but I'm so glad I went to this school. I feel comfortable behind the bar and this school was a great foundation for me to be a bartender! read more

Enrolling in Main Line Center for Bartending is THE BEST CAREER MOVE I ever made. Upon graduation, Tony referred me to several catering companies in the area who needed bartenders and I also worked as a Banquet Bartender at hundreds of wedding & parties at a nearby country club. It's fun and the money I made in tips in the first three months more than paid for my enrollment in Main Line Center for Bartending. The best part is that thanks to my education, experience and hard work, I am now the Event Director at a boutique hotel in Skippack and I love it. Thank you Tony. read more

This school was a WASTE of time and money! Do not go here because they don't teach you anything that will help you in bartending in the real world. They also do NOT help you get a job and alot of bartending jobs will pass on applicants who attended a school instead of actual overall experience. I learned this the hard way and a year later after graduating I still have yet to obtain a bartending career and the school has done little to help in finding a job who will employ there students. Pay at your own risk but I have researched other schools who are ALOT better in training and offer employment assistance WHILE you are still attending classes. read more

They were very helpful and taught me well. They were especially helpful in finding a job after graduating. Within a couple of weeks I got three job offers and took two of them. They are always friendly and helpful. I recommend them for learning bartending. read more

Tony and Main Line Center for Bartending is the place to go if you're looking to get a great foundation for bartending. Everything from responsible serving of alcohol to preparing flaming shots to building a resume is taught in a course that seemed like it flew by. The cocktail sayings and cocktail drills they do "brand" recipes into memory. I participated in the 1 week course in Feb '15 and within 2 weeks I was hired with my first job as a bartender and gave great first impressions with the managers and co-workers. Even though I've only been at my current workplace for 3 months; fellow bartenders come up to me and ask if I know how to prepare a drink they need help with, I'm known as one of top bartenders, and I've also won a cocktail competition hosted there! My job is great and the hours fly by. I now love what I do and don't dread going to work anymore! If you're looking for a new and exciting job path and have bartending in mind, don't hesitate any longer and go see Tony. You owe it to yourself! read more