I did the bartending school and found it to be very helpful. I learned how to make a lot of cool drinks, a little about how to come up with my own recipes, and thought the instructor was very knowledgeable. I did end up finding a job tending bar (with the help of the job-placement program!) so all in all it was a very positive experience.
I'll say too that it is much easier to learn how to make and pour specialty drinks if you can practice without wasting all your expensive liquor!
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