How to Become a Bartender

No degree required. Here’s the honest path into bartending — what you actually need, what you don’t, and how people really get hired.

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Do you need a license or school?

There’s no national bartending license, and you do not need a college degree. What some states require is a responsible-alcohol-service certification (programs like TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol, or a state-specific one) for anyone serving alcohol — it’s cheap, online, and takes a few hours. Check your state’s rule before you start applying.

Bartending school is optional. It can teach you the basics fast and hand you a certificate, but it won’t give you the two things that actually get you hired: real shifts and people who’ll vouch for you.

Start as a barback

The most reliable way into bartending is to barback first. You learn the bar from the inside, prove you’re fast and reliable, and most bars promote from within. It’s the on-ramp — not a detour.

Learn the core drinks

You don’t need 500 cocktails. Nail the ~50 classics and the building blocks (a great margarita, old fashioned, martini, negroni, espresso martini, the highballs) and you can work almost any bar. Speed and consistency beat fancy.

Build a portfolio, not just a résumé

A résumé tells a bar where you worked. A portfolio shows them who you are — photos of you behind the bar, your drinks, your energy. In nightlife, personality is the job. The people who get the best shifts are the ones venues can actually see before they hire.

Get seen by venues

Here’s the part nobody tells you: the best shifts never hit a job board. They go to people the venue has already seen or heard about. Bar hiring runs on referrals and reputation. So the real move isn’t blasting résumés — it’s being visible to the right venues with a profile that makes them want to reach out.

The shortcut: be seen

However you break in, the people who get the best work aren’t the ones sending the most résumés — they’re the ones venues can already see. Startender is the private network where bars, clubs and restaurants discover and book nightlife pros directly. Build a profile that works like a portfolio, and get found. Free for talent.

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Find the work

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FAQ

Do you need a degree to be a bartender?

No. There’s no degree or national license required. Some states require a short responsible-alcohol-service certification, which you can do online in a few hours.

How long does it take to become a bartender?

You can learn the fundamentals in a few weeks of practice. Most people break in by barbacking first and getting promoted, which can happen within months at a busy bar.

Can you become a bartender with no experience?

Yes. Start as a barback, get any required alcohol certification, learn the core drinks, and build a profile that shows your work so venues can find you.

How much do bartenders make?

It varies a lot by venue and city, but a strong night at a busy bar often clears $200–$450 with tips. High-volume clubs and bottle service pay the most.

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