<p>Anyone here have experience bartending? I'm 17 and in my state (Michigan) you only have to be 18 to be a bartender and serve alcohol. I know it's pretty good money and it's a lot of fun. I'm wondering what kind of certifications you typically need, if it's better to go to a class compared to getting an online certificate, and if you can work until late since you're working in spite of the fact that you need to be 21 to be in bars really late. </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I'm not a bartender, but I've been working in restaurants for a long time. I've always heard those certificates and classes aren't looked very highly upon. It's more about experience, since you have to know so many drinks and know your way around a bar. Sometimes you start as a barback and learn from there.</p>
<p>kkei08 I went to one of those bartending schools and let me tell you: its a waste of money.</p>
<p>However you should probably take the class for TIPS.</p>
<p>Like AiHy said, you gotta start somewhere. Waiting tables will lead to barback and barback leads to bartending.</p>
<p>If you're a girl with blond hair you are more likely to be hired. </p>
<p>Becoming a bartender at a club is VERY hard to do. But it pays at least $3-500 a night.</p>
<p>Start at a restaurant and try to barback first.</p>