The top 5 bartending schools in Toronto

The top bartending schools in Toronto might not replace the years of experience required to truly learn the art of cocktail-making, but they can be a fun way to up your skills in a hurry. While I'm not a fan of non-accredited certification, for those who have no experience working with cocktails, it's great that there are places you can go to have some fun and learn about some of the essential drinks and ingredients.

Here are the best places in Toronto to go and pick up some bartending skills.

Toronto Institute of Bartending

Adjacent to the affiliated Spirit House at Adelaide and Portland, the Institute of Bartending also features Chicago and Montreal branches. Founded in 2001, Len Fragomeni's program has benefited immensely from the opening of Spirit House, granting participants access to one of the best bartending playgrounds you could find anywhere. Programs from $399.

Bartender One

Like the Institute of Bartending, Gavin MacMillan's Bartender One has programs in a number of locations outside T.O., including Mississauga, Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and Montreal. Toronto classes are held at either King West's Repeal, or College Street Bar. There's a range of packages, from $299 right up to the $799 ten day course, teaching a range of spirits, as well as molecular mixology techniques like spherification and fatwashing.

Bartending School of Ontario

The oldest bartending school on this list, BSO has been around for over 40 years. The popular program focuses on some skills beyond the drinks, such as cash register handling and customer service. Intro courses start at $125 for a 5 hour class, and you can bundle Smart Serve certification or even wine training in with the program.

BareBones Bartending

The newest school on this list, BareBones teaches largely out of the Madison in the Annex, and offers two tiers, at what must be the most affordable rates in the city. $99 is a one day class for those who just want to have some fun learning about cocktails, while $199 sets you up with a two-day crash course taught over a weekend.

George Brown

Less of a stand-alone course, and more of an element of the Hospitality Management diploma offered as part of George Brown's restaurant and catering-focused division, this course gives you 28 hours of class time spread out over three months for the price of $292. Being within an accredited college lends an air of authority, and each student has a proper well station with a sink to work out of.

Photo of Spirt House

by Jen Hunter via blogTO