"Chicago takes cocktails seriously. The foundation I got at ABC Bartending College helped me land a spot at one of the world's most innovative bars. Dreams do come true!"
MO
Mike O'Connor
Bartender
Class of 2022
Chicago Bartending School
Train to bartend in the Windy City! Chicago's legendary bar scene offers incredible opportunities from dive bars to rooftop lounges. Our Chicago school puts you at the heart of it all, with connections to venues throughout Chicagoland.
1034 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
Call Us
(224) 634-0914
Email Us
info@bartendingcollege.com
Flexible Schedules
Day, Evening & Weekend
Program Length
2 Weeks
Flexible scheduling
Class Schedules
Choose the schedule that works best for you at our Chicago campus
Weekday Classes
Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (2 weeks)
Weekend Classes
Saturday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (2 weekends)
Evening Classes
Monday - Thursday, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (3 weeks)
All schedules cover the same comprehensive curriculum. Choose based on your availability.
Enroll Now
Flexible Nationwide Training
Beyond Our Chicago Campus
In addition to our Chicago campus, we offer flexible training options tailored to your schedule and location across Illinois.
In-Home Instruction
A certified bartending instructor comes directly to your location in Chicago for personalized, hands-on training.
Live Virtual Training
Interactive Zoom sessions with professional bartenders. Learn cocktail techniques, bar management, and more from anywhere.
Instructor's Facility
Train at a certified instructor's professional bar setup near Chicago. Real-world environment, real-world skills.
Partner School Placement
We find and enroll you at a bartending school in any city. We handle all the coordination and communications for you.
Corporate & Event Training
Custom programs for restaurants, hotels, event venues, and private parties. Train your team or learn for your next event.
Hybrid Programs
Combine online coursework with in-person practice sessions. Flexible scheduling that works around your life.
Let's Build Your Custom Training Plan
Call us to discuss which training option works best for your schedule and goals in Chicago.
Flexible scheduling
Certified instructors
Nationwide coverage
Job placement assistance
Local Insights
Chicago's Bar & Cocktail Scene
Discover the local hospitality landscape where you'll build your career
Top Cocktail Bars
Chicago features a growing craft cocktail scene with speakeasies, hotel bars, and innovative mixology destinations.
- Award-winning cocktail lounges
- Historic hotel bars
- Speakeasy-style venues
Craft Beer & Wine
The local craft beverage scene offers diverse opportunities beyond cocktails.
- Local craft breweries
- Wine bars and tastings
- Sports bars and pubs
Trending in Chicago
Espresso Martinis
+45% popularity
Low-ABV Cocktails
Growing demand
Local Spirits
Regional focus
Job Market Data
Bartending career opportunities in Chicago, Illinois
Bartender Salaries in Chicago
Entry Level $31,200/year + tips
Median Salary $31,200/year + tips
Top 10% $48,530+/year
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), 2025
Job Market Outlook
3,800
Bars & restaurants in Chicago metro
5% nationally (2025-2035)
Projected job growth
Peak Hiring Seasons
Patio and rooftop season (April-October) plus summer festival season (Taste of Chicago in July, Lollapalooza late July-August, Chicago Blues Festival in June) and the holiday/convention season in River North drive the heaviest bartender hiring.
Top Employers Hiring Bartenders in Chicago
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Hogsalt
Bally's Chicago
Rivers Casino Des Plaines
United Center
Student Success Stories
Hear from our graduates who launched their bartending careers in Chicago
"Working Cubs games is the best summer job ever! Great tips, great atmosphere, and I get to watch baseball. The program's high-volume training was essential."
SJ
Sarah Johnson
Event Bartender
Class of 2023
"I fell in love with tiki cocktails during training and pursued it after graduation. Now I manage one of Chicago's top tiki bars. Follow your passion!"
DC
David Chen
Bar Manager
Class of 2020
Local Information
Everything you need to know about bartending in Chicago
Illinois Liquor Laws
Minimum Age to Bartend 21+
Alcohol Serving Hours 6:00 AM - 4:00 AM (5:00 AM Sat)
Server Training Required Yes
Required Certifications:
- BASSET Certification (required)
Entertainment Districts
Wrigleyville
Cubs game day destination with rooftop bars, sports pubs, and late-night venues.
River North
Trendy neighborhood with upscale lounges, nightclubs, and restaurant bars.
West Loop
Chicago's hottest dining neighborhood with chef-driven cocktail programs.
Lincoln Park/Lakeview
Young professional haven with neighborhood bars, sports pubs, and comedy clubs.
Insider Tips
Chicago's hospitality community is tight-knit. Industry nights are Monday-Tuesday. The Bartender's Guild hosts tastings and education events. Start in your target neighborhood to build local connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Chicago, Illinois bartending program
What is BASSET certification?
BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) is Illinois' required certification for anyone who sells or serves alcohol. We include BASSET training in our program.
Are there seasonal bartending opportunities?
Yes! Chicago has strong seasonal patterns. Patio season (April-October) sees huge demand. Sports venues hire for Cubs, Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks games. Festival season (Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago) also brings opportunities.
Can I work at Cubs or Bears games?
Many of our graduates work at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and the United Center! We have connections with event staffing companies that serve these venues.
How do Chicago's late bar hours work?
Chicago bars can serve until 4 AM (5 AM on Saturdays) - later than most major cities! Some venues stay open even later with special licenses. This means longer shifts but better tips.
Do you help with jobs in the suburbs?
Yes! Our job placement network covers Chicagoland including Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston, and other suburbs. Suburban restaurant groups are always hiring.
What's the best neighborhood to bartend in?
It depends on your style! Wrigleyville is great for sports fans, River North for nightclub energy, West Loop for craft cocktails, and Lincoln Park for neighborhood regulars.
How much do bartenders make in Chicago?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), the median bartender wage in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $15.00 an hour, and the top 10% earn $23.33 or more. Those figures include tips reported to employers; unreported cash tips often push take-home pay higher at busy venues.
How old do I need to be to bartend in Chicago?
Illinois generally allows serving alcohol on-premises starting at 18, but individual employers and some municipalities may set higher age minimums for bartending specifically, so it's worth confirming with the venue you're applying to.
How do I find my first bartending job in Chicago after training?
Chicago's dense hospitality scene, spanning restaurant groups like Lettuce Entertain You and Hogsalt, hotels, casinos such as Bally's Chicago, and venues like the United Center, hires bartenders year-round, with hiring peaking during patio season (spring-fall) and major festivals like Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza. Starting as a barback or server and getting BASSET certified before you apply both make you a stronger candidate.
Nearby Bartending Schools
Explore other ABC Bartending College locations near you
Mount Prospect
Illinois
Launch your bartending career in Chicago's thriving northwest suburbs! Our Mount Prospect campus provides state-approved training with industry-expert instructors. Convenient for students throughout the northwest suburbs, from Arlington Heights to Schaumburg to Palatine.
17 miles away
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Frankfort
Illinois
Train to bartend in Chicago's southern suburbs! Our Frankfort campus serves Will, southern Cook, and Kankakee counties with industry-expert instructors and a true-to-life bar environment. Approved by the Illinois State Superintendent of Education, we provide the area's best bartending training with affordable tuition.
32 miles away
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Detroit
Michigan
Bartend in Detroit's renaissance! Our campus prepares you for the Motor City's booming downtown scene, sports venues, and emerging craft cocktail culture.
238 miles away
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St. Louis
Missouri
Bartend in the Gateway to the West! Our St. Louis campus prepares you for downtown's entertainment scene, the Grove's nightlife, and legendary Cardinals game days.
265 miles away
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Start Your Bartending Career in Chicago
Join thousands of successful graduates who launched their careers at our Chicago campus. Enroll today and be working behind the bar in just 2 weeks!
Also Serving:
Evanston Oak Park Naperville Schaumburg Waukegan