Drinkmaster-Bartending School of Boston

Elite '09

27

48

Niki M.

Brighton, MA

9/7/2009

So, in all my years of sitting behind a desk and working in a fast-paced, customer-service-focused environment, I decided that it'd be great to parlay some of my people skills into a nightlife setting.  Descending from a long line of bartenders and restaurant managers, I guess you could say it's been in my blood all along.

As someone who likes a little formal education before jumping in and trying something new (which is not to say that it's completely necessary - I actually do excel in a completely foreign environment and am a quick study), I decided to try a bartending course.  My somewhat sudden decision/moment of clarity/inspiration coincided nicely with a Groupon deal to take the Drinkmaster course for significantly less than it normally costs.  All the sweeter.

And now, having completed the course successfully, I can say that it was worth every penny and thensome.  In fact, it is completely worth the course retail value.  

I walked into their fantastic replica-bar setup at their Framingham location, a timid wee thing, unable to tell a jigger from jaeger (well, ok, not quite THAT clueless), and I emerged from a 20 hour intensive two-week program really feeling like I know a LOT.  I mean, I've really got a spot-on one-ounce pour down, I know from martinis and manhattans, and I feel that I could do pretty well to start behind a bar, given the chance.

The instructors are exceedingly nice, patient, and imminently knowledgeable of their craft.  Instruction was thorough and absolutely fun (a lot of us remarked on how quickly the time went by, and you know that age-old adage about time flying...).  Our handbooks and the meticulous information within them were accompanied by drink drills behind the bar.   Working in teams of two, we'd set up our stations, and get to work putting together the drinks we were learning about, making use of a fully-stocked (fake) bar.  

The bar, you see, is setup exactly like your typical bar; the shelves in the back are stocked with real bottles, filled with colored water (thus the look and feel of the real deal, without the liability).  A kind of brilliant way to get people to learn the mechanics, the look and feel of pouring without demolishing a real full bar (imagine the tragedy of spilled maker's mark, jack daniels', etc...).  

Our sinks, filled with ice, and our glasses ready to fill, we were walked through drink making from highballs/one-liquor drinks, to two-liquors, multi-liquors, martinis, shots (including layered), etc.  Wines and beer, customer service, lingo, and tips of the trade were all covered as well.  For someone completely green (i.e. me), this was really invaluable.

While some places may not really blink at mention of bartending school, I at least feel instilled with a good measure of confidence.  The instructors also share so many resources about getting jobs in the business and are willing to take the time to help you with resumes/hear about your progress.  Plus, after graduating, the door is always open to us; if I ever want to drop by and refresh some of my skills, I'm welcome to at no extra cost.  That is really amazing and shows just how dedicated the organizers of the school are to the students.

Check out their website!  I was more than impressed by the entire experience!  (And mad props especially to Dr. Fitz and his barside manner, as well as his DJing skills).

Full marks, DrinkMaster.

• Add owner comment
• Bookmark
• Send to a Friend
• Link to This Review