When are studio sessions offered?
Studio sessions are generally offered year-round. Standard sessions are 5 weeks in duration with participants attending one night per week. Some sessions may be "accelerated", in which the session is only 2.5 or 1 week in duration. In general, we offer 2 Fall sessions, 2 Spring sessions, and 3 Summer sessions.
Where is the mixology studio located?
After signing up you will receive a detailed email with the full room details for your course.
I don’t see any open mixology studio sessions anywhere on the site. When is the next round?
We update our site regularly, so you’ll probably see some new mixology studio sessions up soon! You can always contact us at info@columbiabartending.com to see if we have our next available dates ready.
Do I have to be a Columbia Student to attend the mixology studio?
No, our sessions are open to anyone and everyone interested in exploring bartending!
How much does the mixology studio session cost?
Our introductory mixology studio session starts at $350 without discounts. This includes guiddance from our professional mixologists and a book with over 100 recipes. The course fee also includes a certificate of completion for those participants that score well on our skills challenge. This certificate is a cool way to show off to your friends but is not a license, endorsement, or any official recognition of job-readiness.
Yes. You’ll study and practice classic cocktails, modern standards, shaken vs. stirred variations, and build a strong recipe foundation.
We offer two discounts to qualifying students, each discount grants $50 off the course price:
In the case of an invalid discount, the student must pay the difference between discount and full price before being allowed to attend the course.
Do I need a license to bartend?
New York State does not offer or require bartending licenses.
What happens if I don’t pass the skills challenge?
Don't worry you probably will!
The mixology studio is not an official school or instructional program. Completion of a mixology studio session is not a license, endorsement, or any official recognition of job-readiness. The mixology studio and Columbia Bartending Agency does not provide any job placement services or promises of future employment.
I’d love to learn more about mixology!
Well then our mixology studio is the only bartending experience for you. Our price is low enough for people interested in gaining personal knowledge. In addition, if you are interested in taking a course for personal knowledge, flavored water wont’ teach you very much.
What is the refund policy for the mixology studio?
Before the first day of studio session:
After the first day of studio session:
For all refund requests, please send an email to info@columbiabartending.com
Can I attend the mixology studio if I am under 21?
Yes, you can certainly attennd the session and start your journey of mixology if you are under 21. However, you will not be able to drink the beverages that you mix. In New York State you must be 21 to drink.
How are the sessions structured?
Each session is broken down into two sections: discussion and practical. During the discussion portion you will learn mixology techniques, spirit education, bartending tips, and other aspects of mixology. During the practical portion you will be able to put your skills to the test mixing cocktails and mocktails. A portion of the practical periods will be only with water, and a portion of the periods will be with real alcohol. This balanced approach allows participants to first get comfortable with the underlying mixology techniques, and then apply those skills towards making real cocktails that the guides can sample and provide constructive criticism.
Why should I choose the Columbia mixology studio?
We are also the ONLY mixology experience (that we know of) in New York to give you the opportunity to mix with real alcohol. We believe that learning to make good drinks with flavored water, the common practice at other experiences, is like learning to cook with fake food. It just doesn’t make sense! Great mixologists do not simply memorize ingredients, they know what flavors mix well together. We will teach you the most popular new and classic drinks and also give you a chance to develop your own palette, providing you are 21 of course.
Our mixology guides are also all ex-participants of our own studio. They were at one time all in your position and understand the most effective way to convey the necessary information, as they themselves were once sitting in the same studio where you will be sitting.