Bartending School With a Training Bar

Career starters, hospitality workers looking to move up, and groups booking private cocktail classes. Some courses may be paid for by employers.

Course fees per student, private group bookings and add-ons such as advanced mixology or flair sessions, and bar tool kits.

• Strong bartending background
• Teaching and running small classes
• Marketing and basic bookkeeping

• Check whether you need a liquor licence or special permit to serve or pour alcohol for teaching, with your provincial liquor regulator
• Check whether your province requires private career or vocational schools to register or be approved, and what that involves
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus property cover for the premises
• Lease costs and enrolments that may be uneven, so keep a cash buffer
• Check municipal zoning, fire and health requirements for the unit
• Check WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire instructors, which varies by province

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your unit, the fit-out of the practice bar, equipment and insurance. Lease terms can affect the total, so compare several spaces.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on class sizes, how often you run courses and private bookings. Enrolments can be uneven, so keep a cash buffer.

Check with your provincial liquor regulator whether you need a licence or permit to pour alcohol for teaching. Check whether your province requires private career schools to register, municipal zoning, fire and health rules, and WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire instructors.