I just graduated from Flairbourne School of Bartending and I am already working in a bar in Seattle. The instructors are all REAL bartenders and know how the bar world works. You can see all of... More

I just graduated from Flairbourne School of Bartending and I am already working in a bar in Seattle. The instructors are all REAL bartenders and know how the bar world works. You can see all of their awards they have won from traveling all around the world for various competitions. I love it because its not a corporate set up. Its real teaching about how the field really works. They don't teach one way, they actually take the time to teach you how they think you will be most effective. Most of my classes were one-on-one as well. And by the way, they do help you find a job. If you try as well, you will land a job very fast. I made my tuition back after my 2nd night of work!! Pros: Fun teaching, real situations, one-on-one teaching Cons: They didn't teach me flair, that's a different class :) they are really good
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My experience at Flairbourne was the high light of my summer. Before I attended the two week course I knew nothing about cocktails. Jake, the instructor, was extremely professional as well as... More

My experience at Flairbourne was the high light of my summer. Before I attended the two week course I knew nothing about cocktails. Jake, the instructor, was extremely professional as well as entertaining in his teaching technique. With his years of behind the bar experience he was able to provide first hand knowledge of what to expect in the 'real world of bartending'. The course itself included everything from interesting information on liquors and spirits to recipes and the various methods of creating all those delicious drinks. The class was small and if needed individual help was available. The practice bartending and encouragement of the instructor was really great. I feel very confident that what I learned at Flairbourne will be put to good use. Although the school does not place you in a job they do offer suggestions and try to steer you in the right direction. I stongly believe that if you have the right personality and have attended Flairbourne you will succeed as a skilled and desireable bartender! Pros: Professional Instructors Cons: No onsite parking
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I am aformer student of Flairboune and I am very happy with the results I got from the school. In reading the other reviews I am sad that others did not benefit as well as I. I will be honest I... More

I am aformer student of Flairboune and I am very happy with the results I got from the school. In reading the other reviews I am sad that others did not benefit as well as I. I will be honest I started drive to classes and the parking situation isn't the best so I started taking the bus. I will admit that the curriculum and teaching method don't have traditional structure and are very relaxed but that is what makes the school a great experience. I learned a great deal from both Jake and Alfie they were great insructors and Jake had a lot of great stories about the business. He has a no nonsense approch and his honesty about the business is refreshing. I'd rather know the realities and hardships than have smoke blown up my patuey. Embittered or realist? Well we all have our opinions, be they good or bad. If that is As for getting a job they were honest and told me it depended on me. They send out leads but it is up to the students to get themselves hired. I am working as a result of a Flairbourne refferal its not the greatest job but I am learning alot. For the guy below who filed out all those applications and been blown off well maybe it's not Flairbourne that is the problem. Just a thought. In closing I thought I would say that each of the instructors are individually successful in their own right they also have a great and successful magazine DList. So they must be doing something right. Keep up the good work Alfie and Jake and dont let the haters get to you.
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I am very surprised to see the negative review below, especially the personal attack on Jake. He was my instructor and I could not have asked for a better one... his teaching style is very... More

I am very surprised to see the negative review below, especially the personal attack on Jake. He was my instructor and I could not have asked for a better one... his teaching style is very straightforward and practical, he gave personal attention to every student in my class (even going way out of his way to help and encourage one student who was tanking), he managed to accommodate everybody's scheduling needs, and I appreciated his very realistic attitude re: working in the service industry. Self starters and self managers will do well at Flairbourne and ultimately in a service career: those who want their hands held and their diapers changed might as well enroll in nursery school instead. You only get out of a thing what you put into it, people! Three months after completing Jake's class, I am working as a bartender, making between $17-$20 an hour, and very happy with my decision to go to Flairbourne.
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I agree with the person who said that they will cash your check and run. This is not a particularly professional school, and they don't seem to care much what students think of them after it's over.... More

I agree with the person who said that they will cash your check and run. This is not a particularly professional school, and they don't seem to care much what students think of them after it's over. You're basically paying to use their mock-up bar - very little teaching is done. And definitely don't take the class with "Jake" - he has an arrogant and condescending attitude and seems embittered about life in general. He likes to talk and talk, but very little has to do with the course or bartending. He spent a lot of time on the phone. I switched to the evening sessions with Alfie, and that was better. There is no job-placement or resume-building whatsoever. You will learn how to make drinks, that's true. But again - you're paying to use the fake bar. Overall, the staff is too young to have a serious attitude toward their work, and they are eager to rush you through the course and bring on the next batch of students as fast as possible. Do yourself a favor and spend a little time doing some research before you choose this place. Pros: Ability to practice drinks at a mock-up bar. Cons: Staff, professionalism, job placement, teaching, price
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Let me start off by saying that everyone that works for the Flairbourne school of bartending; is a class act. They are all however in their late 20s/30s and hold themselfes to and extremely relaxed... More

Let me start off by saying that everyone that works for the Flairbourne school of bartending; is a class act. They are all however in their late 20s/30s and hold themselfes to and extremely relaxed code of conduct. On several occasions I showed up to class while my instructor was still asleep... At home... The bar area where all the learning takes place is small, and pieced together from ikea parts. However it is very functional, and works fine for what they are trying to accomplish. It just looks cheap. The instructors know more about alcohol and bartending then you can imagine. They are also excellent teachers, and can answer any question you have for them. The number of drinks they get you to learn, and how they teach is very good. Most all the popular modern and classic drinks are covered. The price is fair for what you get all things considered. The parking situation isnt really that bad. Most of the time I took the bus. But when I did drive, I never had trouble finding close parking. Hell a couple times I just parked in the buildings loading ramp. Not much for free parking, unless its after 6pm. I ended up becoming friends with many of the other students and the instructors, and we all have gone out clubbing more then once. Job placement is non existent. Resume building and consulting is a joke. Its been a few months since I finished the course; and of the 50 or so apps i put in at various bars. Absolutely none of them were recomended by the school. I was interviewed once, and blown off or given the run around everyother time. over time this became infuriating. I called the school, or stopped by to see if anything new had popped up. Or if they could give me some pointers to aid my search. generic responses like its a numbers game were typical. Beyond that i got the impression i was annoying them. So keep all that in mind if your planning on attending. The experience will be fun, but they will cash your check and run once your done. Pros: Fun place to waist time. Usually something funny happends. or lots of good looking girls to flirt with. Cons: Job placement, professionalism
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What can I say... they got me trained up, licensed, and working in TWO WEEKS. Flairbourne offers a delightfully no-BS learning experience with small classes, low tuition, flexible scheduling, and... More

What can I say... they got me trained up, licensed, and working in TWO WEEKS. Flairbourne offers a delightfully no-BS learning experience with small classes, low tuition, flexible scheduling, and instructors who are great at what they do, love doing it, and really want their students to succeed. The best $350 I ever spent.
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If you are looking to become a bartender, but are a confused "newbie" with no previous bartending experience, please... take my advice, START YOUR JOURNEY HERE. Flairbourne School of Bartending... More

If you are looking to become a bartender, but are a confused "newbie" with no previous bartending experience, please... take my advice, START YOUR JOURNEY HERE. Flairbourne School of Bartending should be your choice for many, many reasons but I have summed them up into a TOP 3. 1. Learn from the best : You will learn from professionals who have paid their dues and today have many years bartending under their belts. I found everyone at Flairbourne to be very friendly and fun to be around. Super "chill" I believe is the expression the kids are using these days. 2. CURRICULM: You will soon learn that being a successful bartender is far more than memorizing drink recipes. A wide variety of topics and difficult situations you may encounter are discussed. 3. LEARN BY DOING: Flairbourne school of bartending features a "practice bar" where all the bottles are filled with some mixture of food coloring and water, so that you can practice making drinks. For all you kinesthetic learners out there this is really nice to have. The cost of tuition for the bartending 101 course is $350, which is not bad at all considering the amount of money that you can make once you start bartending. I had a positive experience with Flairbourne school of bartending from the time I signed up my first day until I graduated and recieved my certificate on my last. I really feel that I owe a great deal to everyone who helped me along, especially Alfie, who was my main instructor. Thus, it is from the bottom of my heart that I want to say, THANK YOU TEAM FLAIRBOURNE!!! Sincerly, ----Jake "Remix" Saul (P.S. Flairbourne staff: my sincere apologies on not writing this review sooner, I have been meaning to for quite some time...but I've been busy. Busy doing what you ask? BUSY WORKING AT A BAR!!! I rest my case). Pros: Cool Staff, Excellent curriculm, "Practice bar" Cons: $350
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Not only are the owners talented and award wining barteneders; but they are dedicated professionals that are nspirational as well. I enjoyed this place so much I had to be a part of it. Pros: ... More

Not only are the owners talented and award wining barteneders; but they are dedicated professionals that are nspirational as well. I enjoyed this place so much I had to be a part of it. Pros: Unique individulized instruction...less costly that the other schools in the area. Centralized location make its conveinent from anywhere. Cons: Keeping it real?.....Non with the school ... just with parking...
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The choices for bartending school are easily understood as "Flairbourne and the rest of them". These guys all actually work at (or own) local bars and have years of practical experience. Other... More

The choices for bartending school are easily understood as "Flairbourne and the rest of them". These guys all actually work at (or own) local bars and have years of practical experience. Other bartending schools feature mullet-sporting burnouts who grind every classmember through the same (ages old) list of drinks and "tips". There's no real comparison. I went to Flairbourne because they are Seattle local, have small class sizes (it doesn't get any smaller than one on one - no guarantees you'll get this, especially once this school is discovered by the masses). I left thoroughly impressed with the depth of education and how it was customized to my own interests (bar management as opposed to bartending). One thing everyone would do well to remember about this bartending school: * Flairbourne does classes on flair bartending, but don't let this distract you from the fact that they are all experienced bartenders and have an excellent "just bartending" class. They're passionate about what they do and they know it well; however they all recognize that while flair is something they're excited about, it's not for all situations or people. Bottom line: You cannot find better instruction at any price on bartending. -Adam Pros: Small class size, instructor knowledge and accessibility, low price Cons: Can't think of any... oh wait, parking can be tough around their building. Deal with it, cause Flairbourne is worth it.
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