I did this about 10 years ago, and I gotta say, looking back this was a tiny bit of fun but otherwise offered no value.

Just finished the class and had a wonderful experience. Complete day and night experience from walking in the first day. Hands on experience is unmatched and instructor is very accommodating. As an alumni they offer exceptional job search references and any additional required instruction. Highly recommend!

Having ZERO experience in the food service / bar industry I am confident this class provided me the foundation for success. I have sat in front of a lot of teachers and instructors throughout my life and Nick is fantastic at what he does. His knowledge and experince coupled with his personality makes you want come back to see what he says the next day... The curriculum is challenging so you will have to put in some work, however it is a building block process. If youre looking to start from scratch or hone your skills, this is the place to start.

Wonderful experience! If you are looking for something to challenge you then this is the place. The instructors (Mike, Nick, and Kevin) were very hands on, attentive, and friendly. They never made me feel left out and if you needed extra help they were more than willing. They are in the business of seeing you succeed!

Took the class 8 years ago and never looked back. They were able to set me up with everything I needed to succeed in the Bartending business and because of that I’ve now been managing a bar for the past 6 years. Highly recommend this course!

I recently graduated from PBA and want to say it was the best decision I could have made. I was a little nervous at first based on the fact I had never done it before and I had quit my job to go to the school so I had no back up plan. But as soon as I got there the first day that all went away and you couldnt ask for a better teacher than Mike and Nick. Its super super hands on so you learn everything really fast which was great for me. If you have any thought about attending this school dont second hesitate at all, it is a great program you couldnt ask for better. I graduated on 12/14 and just had my first interview and start work this week of 12/18 so it takes no time to get your feet in the door and get rolling

I couldnt be more pleased with the class and help with Job placement! I had an absolute blast with the 2 week course enjoying both the instructor and classmates. After I graduated, I created a resume the best I could with absolutely no restaurant or Bartending experience and took it to the school for help with job placement. On a Monday evening, they helped fix my resume up and gave me good leads on jobs to apply to around town. By Thursday the same week I landed my first Bartending job!!! Couldnt be happier with the school and service they provided! I highly recommend to anyone who was in my shoes with no experience wanting to get behind the bar. It worked for me, it can work forb You!! 😁

It was so good! The class was a perfect balance of information and fun. I believe it was a great decision for my future..Thanks guys!

This was an overall great experience! Definitely a challenge if your working a full time job while taking the class. (Maybe not if you choose to take the weekend class) This was definitely worth the money, now Im able to Bartend anywhere!

The Professional Bartending Academy is fantastic. The real bar environment was a perfect classroom and the learning material was perfect. The staff is professional, friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. They are all willing to go the extra mile to make your future as a bartender a complete success. I highly recommend this school for anyone interested in beginning their bartending career or even just refreshing your skills!

Everything I was looking for and more!!! Awesome atmosphere, I loved that it was a serious course but also really fun! If this is something you have an intrest in, I highly recommend this course to you! Met great people durning the class and the ones behind it all Mike and Steve, could not ask for better teachers!!!! Cant say thank you enough!Victoria

I absolutely loved the hands on experience and knowledge they provide you with. From someone not knowing anything about alcoholic beverages, to now making 13 drinks within 7 mins and knowing the difference between a blended and malt scotch is just unbelievable . I will definitely be back to get some refreshers !

If you are thinking about becoming a bartender this is the place for you to get your start. The job placement was excellent ,I was working as a bartender within a week. The class itself prepared me for what it would be like at a real bar. From learning to pour at a competition level to having all the most popular drinks memorized. I left the class competent bartender. After I graduated the class I came back for their advanced mixology class. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I know have an intimate knowledge of all spirits and advanced mixology techniques. I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to be a serious bartender

As a soon to be Veteran, this was hands down the best decision Ive made! Definitely recommend!

I had a great time developing my new skill set as a bartender at the Professional Bartending Academy. Mike and Nick were great instructors and really made it a hands on and memorable experience. The teaching style and facility are designed to give you confidence in your abilities. As I have carried what I learned over to an actual bartending job I have noticed how comfortable I feel behind a bar. I am really able to easily pick up custom cocktails and talk about spirits with guests. Going through the course was totally worth it and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to get into the bartending world or just up the skill level they already have.

I had a great time in class. The customer service, professionalism, and money handling tips were really helpful. I made the cost of the class within two weeks of professional bartending, thanks to 300+ in tips. My manager was really impressed with the skills I gained in class without any prior bartending experience.

The Professional Bartending Academy’s staff (Mike, Nick, & Sarah) was absolutely amazing from day 1 to day 10. They are extremely knowledgeable about bartending as a whole. During class they were able to answer our questions at the drop of dime; without hesitation. I can honestly say after completing this course I feel confident in my skills and moving forward in the world of bartending. I also appreciate the resume and job placement assistance the program offers. Overall, my experience at The Professional Bartending Academy was AWESOME, FUN, && sooooo LITTTTTT! If you’re considering a school...choose THE PROFESSIONAL BARTENDING ACADEMY 😆

Mike, Leslie, and Chris really know their stuff! This is an awesome class and well worth the money. I was hired by a popular bar in shockoe bottom before I even completed the course. I would definitely recommend to anyone who has been thinking about bartending. Thank you guys!

Just finished the 2 week class and was very impressed with the whole program. They keep the classes small so they have time to interact with the students. There is a class to meet any ones schedule. (Days,Nights or Weekend) The staff is very knowledgeable,friendly and relaxed making for a fun environment. BUT they DO NOT just pass you for showing up. You have to put in the effort and know your stuff.You will learn 80+ drinks most of them are the most popular drinks in the area. They dont just teach you how to mix drinks. They teach how a bar should be set up how to clean and keep it clean. You will learn to accurately free pour with both hands at the same time. You will do speed tests that are timed and then checked to make sure they are correct and presented properly.This is as close to a real bar as you can get.You get service tickets with a list of drinks to make, the other students are ordering drinks from you. All this while the music is playing. the only thing missing is real alcohol and the tips. Just like on the job training but better because you arent costing the owner money when you make a mistake and have to remake a drink.Dont listen to the people that say it isnt worth it. One of their graduates was just voted best bartender in Richmond. Im confident I wont have to, but if I did have to start at the bottom as a bar back. With what I learned I would become a bartender long before someone that hasnt taken this course because I already know how to mix drinks and fast.

I had a great time learning with Nick & Kevin!

Recently I graduated from the Professional Bartending Academy in Richmond and it was amazing. I had previously graduated from the location in Arlington about 4 years ago and I just felt unprepared afterwards and never got a bartending job. It was too much reading and not enough hands-on work. The Richmond location was EXCELLENT as far as hands-on training and the instructors made me feel really comfortable and confident. They pushed my limits and didnt let me just skate through the class the I did in Arlington. Overall it was a wonderful experience and I would suggest everyone, experienced or not, to take this course. P.S. I ended up getting my first bartending job thanks to them!!

Great teachers and so much fun in the class

I have nothing but good things to say about the Professional Bartending Academy. I went in with zero knowledge of bartending and graduated with the foundation to succeed. This is not some text book boring course. The course was challenging, personal and fun. I had a great time and looked forward to each day of class. It doesnt end when you graduate either. The door is always open if you need extra practice and they even help you find employment. Nothings guaranteed in life however if you do your part by putting in the effort. Use the knowledge and skills they provide you will be successful. It was one of the best investments I have made. I acquired the necessary skills to not only bartend but to do it well. Within a week of graduating I found employment I owe that to PBA. The skills I learned have allowed me to walk into a position with confidence and the knowledge to excel. Thank you Mike and Nick for opening a new path for me in life.

I really appreciate all the hard work PBA puts into their program. They have an awesome staff, and are very lenient and attentive to your needs. They make the program fun and educational. Im glad I was able to attend PBA and pass the course successfully. Im eager to find out what doors will open from the knowledge Ive obtained. Thank you PBA!

I have worked as a bartender before, years ago and the training given here is amazing, its a fast pace environment and thus they trained you to be smooth, cool and collected in this line of work. You learn all the basic necessary skill and some advance skills to help you be confident. I have learned more in two weeks and a half than in actual bartending jobs in the past. They teach you pouring techniques, speed drills, about beer and wine, the laws governing alcohol in the state of virginia and other things that are valuable to make you become an asset to any Employer looking to hire you. After graduation I have already been help finding a job and even met a great mentor. Both Nick Motola and Mike Love are great Teachers. Wouldnt go anywhere else to train. It is worth every penny. Like always you get what you put in.

I am so glad that I did not listen to the people who told me not to go to bartending school because no one would hire me and that all places would want to train me themselves. Within a week of graduating, I had a bartending job with no previous experience. They were impressed with how much I already knew from free pouring accurately to the most popular drink recipes without ever being behind a bar before. After a few days they were fully confident in leaving me behind the bar by myself running the show! The class itself was fun and my teacher was very knowledgeable. The cost has already paid for itself and the director of the school is very helpful in job placement. I feel confident that I can always contact the school for anything that I need. I can’t wait to sign up for the advanced mixology class!

I had an amazing experience with the PBA. My teacher was incredibly knowledgeable and I learned so much. Their job placement service upon graduation is incredible, I found a job within a week thanks to them. Not to mention all the incredible one day events they post about on facebook. Everyone there is incredibly helpful and really down to earth, best investment I ever made

So where do I start... Well the trainers at the professional bar-tending academy are absolutely the best. Ive actually bartendend before, overseas in Africa. Its been a couple of years and I have no idea what it would be like in the US. Even if you havent bartended before this is still a great place to come. Youl learn all the basics plus some great tips, and over 80 cocktails. Theres nothing a bar will throw at you that you wont know.Now the most important part, will this actually help me find a job. The answer is yes, you still have to go out and find a bar-tending gig, which you should expect. Having this on your resume helps for one reason, bar managers will know you can do the job and not making it up. You could not know how much of a difference that makes until you go and interview. Still, you need to be able to sell yourself but I found a job after 2 days of applying. Good luck to all thoughs who take the class its not as easy as most people will think but its not to bad either.

I enjoyed the classroom setting..had a good teacher even though he was kinda a flirt lol...but the job placement sucks they dont help you find a job at all!!

Great class to learn how to become a bartender, teachers are great

Shake pop n top!

Brian is the absolute best