I researched schools before choosing The New York Bartending School. The 2 things that caught my eye were that they were a branch of the PBSA, a national bartending association, and they offered lifetime job placement. To be honest, their classes were great. I learned a lot and the instructors are a lot of fun. BUT... job placement? Their idea of job placement is giving you a list of bars, who they've called for you, that may be looking for bartenders. The problem is, these places are all looking for experienced bartenders. The manager at every bar I walked into laughed at me when I said I went to the NYBS. In their words, bartending school graduates "are a dime a dozen." When I spoke to career bartenders and bar managers, I was told to lie on my resume, and never mention going to any bartending school.
To sum up, I know my drinks, I can mix 20 drinks in 3 minutes and 30 seconds, but I'm still unemployed after job hunting for almost 3 weeks.
Pros: Great staff, very educational, lots of fun
Cons: Not as advertised, no real job placement- just job information
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