Top Bartending Schools in Jacksonville

Top Bartending Schools in Jacksonville: Key Takeaways

ABC Bartending School is a long-established institution offering flexible, hands-on classes starting at $275 with free lifetime job placement assistance.
Eclipse Bartending School focuses on real-world experience with a three-day, $300 program emphasizing muscle memory and customer interaction.
Brooklyn Bartending School provides personalized lessons and online options, teaching over 200 drink recipes with job assistance and internships available.

Jacksonville hosts several well-regarded bartending schools tailored to different learning styles and schedules. These schools offer comprehensive training for those aiming to start or advance a hospitality career.

This article explores top bartending school options in Jacksonville and highlights their unique features to help prospective students choose the best fit.

For employers looking to hire skilled bartenders, how to hire a Bartender is a valuable resource to ensure top talent selection and retention.

Overview of Top Bartending Schools in Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s bartending schools offer traditional instruction, hands-on training, and flexible formats to prepare students for the city’s busy hospitality scene.

Programs range from short workshops to multi-week courses, both in-person and online, covering mixology, customer service and bar management skills.

The city’s bartending education scene has grown increasingly active.

Local Bartending School alone trained nearly 925 students in just three months, showing the strong demand for formal training.

Across Florida, tuition typically falls between $300 and $800 depending on the program, making it an accessible path into hospitality for many learners.

This training pipeline leads directly into Jacksonville’s vibrant job market.

Bartenders in Jacksonville earn about $22.68 per hour, with tips averaging $175 daily, and more than 100 job postings open at any time — proof of steady demand.

If you are an employer interested in streamlining your restaurant's staffing, the restaurant staff hiring spotlight provides strategic insights for finding quality candidates.

1. ABC Bartending School Jacksonville To Learn Professional Skills

Established in 1977, ABC Bartending School is nationally recognized and has a long history of training Bartenders.

The Jacksonville campus at 11757 Beach Boulevard offers multiple scheduling options:

One-week morning sessions (9 AM to 1 PM, Monday to Friday)
One-week evening sessions (6 PM to 10 PM, Monday to Friday)
Two weekend sessions (10 AM to 3 PM, Saturday and Sunday)

Tuition is $275 for night and weekend classes and $295 for full-day sessions. Students benefit from practical, hands-on learning at fully functional bar setups.

ABC also provides free lifetime job placement assistance and refresher courses, making it a great choice for ongoing career development.

2. Eclipse Bartending School: Experience-Driven Training in Jacksonville

Eclipse Bartending School offers a unique, club-style bartending program that emphasizes real barman scenarios. The program spans three days with classes priced at $100 per day.

This school focuses heavily on muscle memory and customer interaction, mimicking fast-paced bar environments. Students gain confidence through hands-on use of real equipment and exposure to current industry trends and techniques.

Employers aiming to recruit top bartenders can find value in the best hiring practices spotlight, which also includes guidance transferable across various hospitality roles.

3. Brooklyn Bartending School Jacksonville: Personalized To Your Needs

Brooklyn Bartending School offers tailored training for individuals 18 and older, in line with Florida law. It covers over 200 drink recipes, fruit cutting and decoration, bar setup, and sales techniques to enhance tipping potential.

Learning formats include in-person private lessons (starting at $399), group classes ($299) and affordable online courses from $79. The school also aids students with job placement and internships, providing real-world experience.

For a detailed Mixologist job description and to understand the skills needed, visit our career section.

4. Local Bartending School: Flexible Classes All Week in Jacksonville

Operating since 2011, Local Bartending School delivers comprehensive bartending education including technical skills and customer service.

They provide in-person lessons seven days a week across multiple Jacksonville locations such as Downtown, Southside and Beaches, letting students choose when to attend. Online options and staff training for bars and managers are also available.

Managers and bar owners can improve team performance by exploring this guide to becoming a Bar Manager and its management best practices.

5. Florida Bartending School: Practical and Scheduled Classes

Florida Bartending School offers night and weekend classes in Jacksonville and Orange Park. Night classes run Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 PM to 9 PM for two weeks.

Weekend classes take place Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM over four weeks. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring manageable class sizes and regular attention.

Comparing the Top Bartending Schools in Jacksonville

When looking at the top bartending schools in Jacksonville, clear differences emerge in pricing, program length and training style.

Some schools, like Eclipse, focus on quick three-day intensives, while others, such as ABC or Florida Bartending School, run structured week-long or multi-week sessions.

Brooklyn Bartending School provides tailored private or group lessons, while Local Bartending School emphasizes flexibility with daily classes and multiple locations across the city.

The chart below highlights how tuition costs compare across the five leading schools.

Is It Required To Attend Bartending School in Jacksonville?

No — attending a formal bartending school is not required by law to work as a bartender in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida.

Still, completing a training program can provide a competitive edge, as employers often prefer candidates with structured skills and responsible alcohol service certifications.

Key Data & Facts

Factor	Data
Formal Education Requirement	72.2% of U.S. Bartenders report no minimum education requirement.
On-the-Job Training Prevalence	About 95% of Bartenders learn on the job.
Prior Experience Required	Around 43.3% of Bartenders are expected to have some prior work/industry experience.
Certification / Responsible Service Training	Florida does not mandate a bartending license, but many employers require completion of responsible alcohol service training.

Why Many Choose To Attend Bartending School Anyway

Skills & Confidence: Structured learning covers mixology, alcohol laws, customer service and speed behind the bar in a safer, lower-pressure environment.
Employability: Employers may see formal training as a mark of professionalism; certifications like responsible service often boost applications.
Faster Ramp-Up: On-the-job training can take longer; formal schools accelerate the learning curve, especially for high-volume or upscale venues.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Bartending School in Jacksonville

When selecting a bartending school, consider your learning style, schedule flexibility, cost and career support services.

If you want intensive training with job placement, ABC Bartending School is ideal. For immersive, club-style training, Eclipse’s model excels.

Those seeking personalized lessons should explore Brooklyn Bartending School, while Local Bartending School is best for convenience and multiple locations.

Benefits of Bartending Training in Jacksonville

benefits of bartender training in jacksonville

Bartending schools in Jacksonville provide certified training necessary to enter the competitive hospitality market confidently.

Students gain practical skills, knowledge of over 200 drink recipes, proper bar setup techniques and customer service expertise.

Many schools offer job assistance and internships, increasing employment opportunities after graduation.

For prospective bartenders, our detailed Bartender how to become guide offers career-start advice and tips for success.

Additional Resources for Aspiring Bartenders in Jacksonville

For those interested in further certification and legal information, consult state regulatory resources and educational institutions.

To better prepare for a hospitality interview, check our spotlight on how to interview a Bartender effectively.

Top Bartending Schools in Jacksonville: Conclusion

Jacksonville offers a variety of quality bartending schools tailored to different preferences, budgets, and career ambitions.

Whether you prefer flexible weekend classes, personalized instruction or real-world experiential training, Jacksonville’s bartending schools provide valuable education and job support.

Exploring these options can help set you up for success in the vibrant hospitality industry in Florida’s largest city.

Employers interested in maximizing bartender productivity and satisfaction may also find useful strategies in Bartender performance reviews and training tips.

01. What are the main bartending schools available in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville features several reputable bartending schools, including ABC Bartending School, Eclipse Bartending School, Brooklyn Bartending School, Local Bartending School, and Florida Bartending School, each catering to different needs and schedules.

02. What types of training formats do Jacksonville bartending schools offer?

Training formats vary from in-person full-time and weekend classes to personalized private lessons and online courses, providing flexible learning options suitable for beginners or experienced bartenders.

03. How much does bartending school tuition cost in Jacksonville?

Tuition fees differ depending on the school and format, typically ranging from $79 for online courses to around $399 for private lessons, with some full-time courses priced around $275 to $300.

04. Do these schools offer job placement assistance?

Yes, many Jacksonville bartending schools provide job placement assistance and internships to support students in gaining employment within the hospitality industry after graduation.

05. What factors should I consider when choosing a bartending school?

Important factors include learning style, schedule flexibility, tuition cost, location convenience, and availability of career support services such as job placement or internships.