Cool little venue. Danika was the best teacher. She was so patient and so thorough. Knows everything about everything I felt like. Wish I had more teachers like her. Dope school all around. read more

The instructor was very knowledgeable and her teaching plan made it so easy to learn all the basics about bartending. I highly recommend taking your course with Danika. read more

Absolutely recommend taking class with Danika Bates, she made bartending learning experience easy and comfortable. From setting up bar to pouring and memorizing drinks, Danika teachings create bold confidence behind the bar. Now Im an official Bartender!!! read more

This is a really good course to take if you are thinking about getting into bartending this is the perfect school to attend. Danika does a very great job of breaking everything down for you. To etiquette all the way down to drinks and tips you'll need to be successful in the industry. Definitely gives you more confidence as you step into your new career. read more

An excellent school to prepare you for a career in bartending. They teach you how to mix more than 150 cocktails, how to deal with customers, how to work events, and the law. Students are prepared to pass a written test and a speed test so graduates are capable of making twelve drinks in seven minutes and ready to work at busy, fast-paced bars. Alan's teaching style uses demonstrations as well as stories from his experience as a longtime bartender in conjunction with the curriculum in the school's eight chapter book. He is helpful and encouraging as he pushes students to master the art of mixology. One of the benefits of being a student here is you get booked to work at events so you can make money while still in school. There is plenty of opportunity to practice mixing (and tasting) cocktails. Super fun! I highly recommend SD Bartending School and Staffing! read more

This school is nothing short from incredible. With amazing instructors and sufficient hands-on practice, this place is the ideal school to get the most practical experience available. The people here hold you to a high standard to know and understand mixology at a level where other schools do not. The school consists of 8 courses, all of which go over the basic essentials of what a beginning bartender should know and then some to really have you stand out from the crowd. They also provide an hour of practice time after each class behind a full-fledged bar. PRACTICE IS KEY. They really try to work with you and your schedule to ensure your success, with various classes throughout the day, flexible practice hours​ and gives you up to a year to finish. (I pushed through the entire course in about a month, which is totally possible and you can too!) The biggest thing is that they are also a major bar staffing agency for Southern California, so they get tons of calls from special events, bars, clubs, etc. for highly qualified bartenders. Getting actual experience is guaranteed here! At the end of it all, I memorized about 100 drinks, learned the etiquette and lingo of a bar, and built that confidence in my skills to work at any bar. They prepared me for the real world and I couldn't have been more grateful. read more

This bartending school is great! To the guy below me who said he wasn't able to find work after completing the course, you have to apply to the jobs. They don't just fall in your lap lol Anyways... I had absolutely no problems whatsoever getting work almost immediately after completing the course. The course was straight forward, fun and I left with the real life experience that I needed to land a bartending job in a restaurant! The events we get to work vary from weddings to birthdays to fundraisers. Working the events is always a great time!! I highly recommend!! read more

There is NO REASON not to get certified here at Mixology. If you're perfectly happy making great money as an engineer for Boeing, you should STILL buy the groupon or living social deal for Mixology and get in there and learn to make a Manhattan. You can take the night course offered by Frank and in 2 weeks - boom you have a new skill which will always come in handy whether professionally or just at a Christmas party, meet some cool people who you may even stay in touch with, and impress that neighbor/study partner/girl at the gym. On a more realistic note, Mixology gives you the basics to be a great bartender. It is by no means an exhaustive course. Please don't think that a couple hours a night after work is going to make you a scholar on the Cognac region of France or where the best Chardonnay grapes are grown. When I have a customer who really loves a particular type of alcohol or a particular drink: I always, hands down, always: defer to the customer. That person knows more about bourbon than you, because they've spent their entire lives selecting and tasting bourbons, whereas you just learned you should use bourbon to build an old fashioned 5 minutes ago. I think I learned that little gem from Frank too. Basically the man is like a father to me. He'll probably dance at my wedding. Let me add that after getting certified at Mixology, I was hired: first place I applied, first interview, I mean it was cake (at a hotel bar downtown, another Frank suggestion. Like I told you the man is a legend.) I was offered full time hours and was able to quit my day job, which was getting pretty toxic, and focus on slinging drinks and being customer-centric. Now, after 6 months with the same bar, I feel like I can take my skills with me anywhere. Why are you still reading this? Call Mixology and go get certified. read more

I was a bartender 20 years ago and have since forgotten everything. Wasn't sure if paying for school (vs YouTube) was worth it but wow it certainly was. Have been attending classes regularly for the past three weeks. The instructor (and owner?), Mike is gruff, yet genuine. He seems to know everything about alcohol/mixology and the local bar industry -- and most importantly, he cares about us students. The lessons are at an even pace, easy to follow. He'll answer "stupid" questions patiently and share anecdotes to help us remember. I've learned a ton, made friends in the class, am redeveloping my confidence due to the unlimited fake bar practice in the classroom...and oh the best part is he's already sent me on two bartending gigs and has more for me this weekend! I've already recovered much of my investment and will get the rest very soon. Super stoked I took the risk, and I look forward to a fun and lucrative summer. I get nothing for posting this; rarely post reviews for anything (on any site) out of laziness. But I want to see his business succeed bc already the skill I have relearned from it has been i valuable and for the first time since the start of pandemic, I am optimistic for my future. Heads-up, when I called three weeks ago, he came across as a bit distant on the phone, which made me hesitant. I now realize it's because he's interacting with many active students and potential gigs at any given time. He's more warm and accessible in person. I recommend you meet him face-to-face. Feel free to hmu with questions. I will vouch. Or ask for me through Mike. Permission granted to give out my number (forever) if you're reading this, Mike. read more

This school is really great. I liked flexibility of class schedule and unlimited practice time! You go guys.

If you are even considering bartending make sure you swing by this location. Mike is the guy you will first talk too and will give you the full scoop. Make sure to come coachable and be yourself. They teach you 100 drinks, show you how to be a real bar tender, and truly care about the fact you actually know what you are doing after. It's pretty cool that they make sure you are staffed and get you to some events right away. A little bit pricier but worth every penny. The best part is it's flexible and you can do the class on your own schedule. Wether your looking to make it happen in a week , a month, or two it is okay take this course on your own schedule and get ready for real work experience! Claire is a hilarious, authentic, and great teacher that has a ton of real world experience. read more

I had an excellent time taking Paul's course and attending Bartending school. Great genuine guy who cared about the success of his students and making sure they learned and understood the material. I was in a rough spot after graduating college and finding a full time job and decided to invest in Bartending school. After graduating the program Paul was able to secure some gigs for myself that eventually allowed me to save up money and move out of my parents home. Although I am not doing Bartending as much anymore, I love having the knowledge and confidence that I can make and stir up some pretty cool drinks for both friends and family! Thanks Paul! read more

Just the thing I want too .Stephanie S. leads the way .San Diego Bartending School is way cool .

I was hesitant at first to attend class because I thought bartending wasn't of me, but I fooled myself. I graduated from the class yesterday, and boy, let me tell you -- it was worth driving from Escondido to San Diego and being stuck in traffic for the two week course. Yes, the class was fast pace but, Frank did awesome on teaching. All the questions I've asked Frank, when I was confused, he clarified with the short cuts to make the drinks easier for not only me, but for all of us to remember. Doing the study guides and actually paying attention/asking questions helped a whole lot when it came down to the last day of class for the final. Thanks for the help Frank! I highly recommend to anyone who's interested on going to bartending school; definitely go here! They are straight forward with you when it comes down to the business and what to have to do to pass the class and receive the certificate. read more

Paul worked with me to get on a vendor list at a city community center. Paul was prompt, quick at communications, and professional when working with me and the facility coordinator. Would highly recommend working with him! read more

A great environment for learning how to tend bar. The class is fast paced and dense with material, but the instructor Mike provides firm but positive support to all of the students. It was also a lot of fun to get behind a mock bar and practice using real bar equipment. I was able to complete the school's tests and received my bar tending certification. I'm excited for any bartending opportunities that arise. I also appreciated the steps they took to provide a safe environment for students to practice during the pandemic. read more

A friend and I took the weekend classes and it was more in depth than we expected, which was great! Al and Frank were great instructors! Very funny guys and obviously know their stuff inside and out. Don't expect this to be something you can walk into and just show up and be able to pass without any effort made on your part. You really have to study and take the course seriously! The instructors do their best to help you out as best they can and have an obvious pride in their careers. It was so much fun and the lessons were set up so that they weren't overwhelming to learn in such a short amount of time and the on hands training was the best! Overall, a great experience and so worth the time to learn from Al and Frank! read more

I totally agree with other reviews that Al is indeed a well-qualified instructor with a great personality. Unfortunately, I had to drop the class in February and have yet to receive a refund almost two months later. I even asked him up front what the refund policy was before paying so I could be informed in case it did not work out. I was told $100 would be withheld for registration and the remaining days pro-rated. My phone call withdrawing from class the evening of the second day and a follow-up letter sent a month later along with a self-addressed, self-stamped envelope, included for convenience, has not been acknowledged. I did not want to make this public but I thought it could help in getting a response. UPDATE MAY 25, 2015: Still have not heard a peep! Based on my experience, if you drop the class good luck on getting a refund. I am SO sorry that I ever signed up in the first place! UPDATE ON AUGUST 31, 2015: Caveat emptor. read more

If you have never stepped foot behind a bar this is definitely a good place to start. All of the students in my class were of different skill level, but Al and Frank teach the class in a way that is fun for everyone. Best part is you can come back anytime to practice, or to sit in on a particular class if you need a refresher; at no charge. Only drawback is you feel like trying half the cocktails when you get out of class. Go and check them out, you won't be disappointed. read more

San Diego Bartending School - Bartending Schools Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Can't say enough good things about this place! It's easy to knock out in a couple weeks. I got a job through the school working as a bartender at a Festival almost right away. I more than payed for my school with my first gig! It's nice going into an interview & knowing exactly how to make the drinks they test you on. read more

I am so happy to have committed to this school, not only because I have invested in my future as a bartender but also because of the wonderful experience I had at San Diego Bartending. Mike, the instructor, is clearly committed to helping students get the most out of the courses and optimize their future job potential. That being said, come with an open mind and be ready to put a bit of work into learning! The classes are flexible and the instructors will work around your schedule as best they can. Mike is incredibly supportive and encouraging and it is obvious that he is invested in his students' success. If you are interested in bartending, this school will staff you once you get your certification. Don't spend your money somewhere that will half-ass your learning! read more

Absolutely loved my experience here. There's a right way to learn a cocktail and about 100 wrong ways to learn a cocktail. Here, they teach you the RIGHT way. Al was my instructor and he is great! So personable, knowledgable, enthusiastic and fun! He kept the class interesting with the knowledge he has picked up over his years and years of bar tending experience. Although I already work in a bar and have a position waiting for me, I would feel comfortable applying anywhere after this accelerated program. Over 100 cocktails to pull out of my bag of tricks and I can easily learn their derivatives. Thanks guys!! Will certainly recommend to friends. read more

Working with Michael and Paul learning all about what the art of bartending is has been an amazing experience! it's a great way to start

I am currently attending mixology with Al and Frank on wednesdays. About to finish on thursday and i can honestly say I am VERY happy I chose to go here unlike what every bartender and bar owner has told me. Al is an amazing instructor with tons of experience and very charming. He makes you feel welcome and reasures you that no question, is a dumb question. Frank has alot of experience as well and gives you alot of real life examples that have relevance to the lesson. Both instructors deserve more than the 5 stars were limited to. I would suggest that anyone who wants to get to know your way around the bar whether it be for a job or just for fun, GO HERE!!! You will not be disappointed and youll leave feeling confident about everything youve learned! read more

Let me start by saying the instructors are awesome. They are personable, well experienced in the business of serving alcohol, and give you the perspectives you need to be a bartender. The basics: They teach you how to make and commit over 80 of the most popular drinks common in different types of venues. You get coached by the instructors as well as your peers on your skills, through practice, and teaching.You learn about the legalities involved in working as a bartender and your assumed responsibilities when serving alcohol. The extraordinary: There nothing like picking someone's brain about what they do and how they go about it. Working with Al, Frank, or Fernando you'll get their perspective on what it's like to deal with customers and how to handle common situations. They also teach you about the products - because you can't sell something to people without knowing a little about it. Plus they all have a great sense of humor which just makes it loads of fun. Convenient class times (and are quite flexible with your schedule), good class sizes, and a great place to get hands on experience in a realistic working bar layout. I hesitate after reading reviews too - call em' or drop by and I'm positive you won't be disappointed. read more

The "MBA" was a fantastic place to get your hands wet if you're new to the nightlife/bar industry or want to refine your skills. I enrolled and completed the course last year, and the instructors were amazing. You learn everything needed besides mixing drinks. This includes sanitation and garnishes. This actually DID help get my foot in the door after completing the course at a well known bar. Update the staff and let them know your success, super cool and relaxed staff! read more

I work for Southern Comfort and Tuaca and have been a guest speaker at the Mixology Bartending Academy for the last 1 1/2 years. As a supplier, we love to work with a group of people like this. All of the students that I spoke to were extremely friendly and welcoming. They are all there to learn and that's exactly what Frank and Al gives to them. They are not only the most knowledgeable in the field but they have a TON of connections to help get you a job after!! They also know how to make teaching fun! It is a really relaxed atmosphere. The bar set up is awesome - it feels like a real bar. It has been my pleasure to be there and to meet Frank and Al! They are running a great school and I would recommend this in a heart beat to anybody who was considering!! read more

This school is hands down the best one to attend in San Diego! It is run by Mike who is a very excellent & knowledgeable mixologist. After attending the school for some time, he was able to staff me on events all over the San Diego region whether it was as a server or as a bartender. I felt very well prepared for anything that came my way before he sent me out to do any events. As a student, I am very pleased with with what I got out of this school and can't thank Mike enough for everything he has done. It is night and day what I know now versus when I first started attending the classes with zero knowledge about mixology. You definitely get your moneys worth with this school, but don't think you'll just walk in and get certified right away. Mike is very serious about what he does and will make sure that this school will produce quality bartenders versus quantity bartenders. Again, if you're deciding which school to attend, look no further and check it out. If you are serious about becoming a great bartender/mixologist, you found the one! read more

I had the best time taking the class. It is fun and I feel I learned a lot. Before taking the class I had no experience. I feel this class gave me a lot of hands on practice and lots of good pointers. Thanks to the school, I found a job within a week of graduating! I highly recommend this school. read more

I finished this course in April 2012. It was a great and memorable experience! I learned a lot and our instructor (Frank) was extremely knowledgeable, personable, and down-to-earth. I was actually hired for a bartending/waitressing position while I was taking the class. Before taking this class, I had little to no knowledge about alcohol other than how to drink it. After taking this class, I learned a lot about how to mix drinks, how to serve certain drinks, the many names certain drinks had, and different tips and techniques of the trade. Frank was a great teacher and he was very straightforward and honest when answering questions and teaching us tips about the industry. I would definitely recommend anyone who wants to learn how to bartend to take a class at Mixology Bartending Academy. It's been almost a year since I've taken the course, and I still remember how good of an experience it was. read more

Classes were well organized and interesting, Frank was really friendly and was very helpful and knowledgable. I took the class with a friend and we both walked it feeling like we had a good enough handle on the basics to find a job. The building had plenty of room for practice and the fake bar was useful for making drinks and learning by repetition. Additionally, the course came with an instructional book that is useful for review. I'd recommend the class to anyone looking to get into the bartending business. Minor gripe, signing up for classes is over phone and it can be a bit frustrating to be playing phone tag with instructors. Other than that, great place. read more

I am so glad I signed up here. Several people told me I shouldn't go to bartending school--they said to just learn on the job. But I know myself, and I don't like going into new situations blind. I don't want to feel overwhelmed or anxious, but to have a foundation of information. And I got that foundation here. The classroom mimics a real bar. We learned 100 drink recipes, techniques, customer service, etc. We learned both classic and contemporary recipes. We practiced making cocktails. What I didn't expect was how fun it was going to be, how nice the other students would be, and how the teacher (Frank) had interesting stories and an easy laugh. I attended the evening classes (there are accelerated day classes, or weekend classes if those work better for your schedule). My classes were Monday through Thursday, four hours, for two weeks. Highly recommend. Note the business was formerly called Mixology Bartending Academy, so you'll see more reviews under that name. read more

My experience in this class was honestly great. What truly made it worthwhile was learning much more than drink recipes but learning about bartending as it applies to the real job markets. This class took me longer than anticipated due to a variety of personal things happening in my own life but my teacher, Claire, didn't give up on me and was determined to help me pass. I have now passed the test and am working with the owner Mike to prepare for a job hopefully in the near future. read more

I really loved my experience here! There was so much more to bartending than I realized, but I'm glad I had Al to instruct me and (Frank for a day!). They both gave me really great tips on how to become an awesome bartender that does things right where it will keep customers coming back. Also, all the things to beware of so I stay out of trouble and am aware of what I am responsible for. They are funny, super knowledgeable with all their years of experience, and are always helpful. It was really fun getting to practice making all the drinks and getting a feel of being behind the bar. It's definitely an experience I will never forget! Definitely worth the money to learn how to do things RIGHT and have fun while doing it! I would recommend Mixology Bartending Academy to anyone who is serious about becoming a great bartender. read more

I graduated the weekend class last week. I loved the the whole experience. The teaching structure was perfect. Every topic discussed was followed by hands on practice in an actual bar setting. I learned so much more than I expected from this class. Drinks recipes, proper methods, garnishes, liquor info, customer service, legal responsibilities, proper cleaning/sanitation, and the list goes on ! Al was my awesome instructor. Funny, extremely knowledgable, great guide. Completing the course gave me the confidence I needed to pursue bartending. If you are thinking about taking it, do it !! read more

Curriculum is self paced so program can be accomplished swiftly depending on personal motivation and availability. Supportive teachers who have availability to help students with particular needs. Good choice for someone who wants to create their own schedule and gain experience. read more

I'm so glad I found this school! I'm not sure why someone gave it one star!!! they definitely have more jobs than "bussing". I have done many Bartending jobs with them and gained so much experience so far! They have Bartending and serving jobs! They work with many companies and they always have job posts and opportunities every week if not every day. You can simply choose if you want to work that week/ day and what you like to work. You can also get permanent Bartending jobs. it's very easy to communicate with them as well, you just have to reach the right person for whatever you need. read more

Mixology provides EXCELLENT instruction in bartending! You learn everything in easy-to-remember sections. The evening instructor, Frank, is hilarious and makes the classes very entertaining. I always enjoyed going to class! Not only do you learn how to make drinks but you also learn real world tips for the restaurant/bar industry. And, most importantly, you learn how to make $$$! read more

Even though it's been two months since I took the two-week evening course and I still don't have a bartending gig, the experience is one I won't regret. My instructor was Frank, a really knowledgeable and professional guy who knows how to make the experience fun. It takes some serious studying to pass the test at the end of the course but once you pass they provide you with the information you need to get a job. I think the best part is you can go back to retake a certain lesson or just practice pouring drinks, free of charge! read more

This was a really great bartending school. I went to the day classes with Al and he was really cool. He's super old school and knows what he's talking about. He's no nonsense and will really teach you the right and proper ways to do things. You will learn over 100 drinks in the course of the week and will need to study and keep studying if you want to land a bartending gig. I used a groupon and called at the last minute (a Thursday) and they fit me in for Monday. That was very cool and super convenient. The classes are pretty small, but you will have plenty of room to practice pouring and bartending. I definitely reccomend this place!! read more