Costa Mesa Bartending School

4.8 (150 reviews)

Train to bartend in the heart of Orange County! Our Costa Mesa campus puts you near South Coast Plaza, the Triangle, and OC's finest dining destinations. With Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Irvine just minutes away, you'll have access to one of Southern California's most vibrant hospitality markets.

Online Program

Serving Costa Mesa, California

Call Us

(888) 901-8477

Email Us

info@bartendingcollege.com

Flexible Schedules

Self-Paced Online

Start Online Course Call (888) 901-8477

Class Schedules

Choose the schedule that works best for you at our Costa Mesa 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

Serving Costa Mesa & Surrounding Areas

Learn bartending from anywhere with our comprehensive online program. We serve students in Costa Mesa and throughout California with flexible, self-paced training that fits your schedule.

Explore Online Program Call (888) 901-8477
Flexible Nationwide Training

Training Your Way in Costa Mesa

No matter where you are in Costa Mesa or California, we bring professional bartending education to you with options designed to fit your life.

In-Home Instruction

A certified bartending instructor comes directly to your location in Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa. 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 Costa Mesa.

Call (888) 901-8477 Explore Programs
Flexible scheduling Certified instructors Nationwide coverage Job placement assistance
Local Insights

Costa Mesa's Bar & Cocktail Scene

Discover the local hospitality landscape where you'll build your career

Orange County Coast: Upscale Beach Living

OC's coastal communities offer some of Southern California's most lucrative bartending positions, serving an affluent and discerning clientele.

Top Destinations

  • Lido Marina Village - Newport's waterfront dining complex
  • Pacific City - Huntington Beach's new dining destination
  • Fashion Island - Upscale mall dining and entertainment
  • Laguna Beach - Artist community with boutique venues

Beach Bar Culture

Summer season transforms OC beaches into high-earning opportunities with tourist traffic and vacation spending.

Trending (2026)

  • Craft tequila and mezcal
  • Health-conscious cocktails
  • Local California wines

Job Market Data

Bartending career opportunities in Costa Mesa, California

Bartender Salaries in Costa Mesa

Entry Level $33,000/year + tips
Median Salary $40,000/year + tips
Top 10% $62,000+/year

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Job Market Outlook

2,100

Bars & restaurants in Costa Mesa metro

8% over next 5 years

Projected job growth

Peak Hiring Seasons

Summer beach season, holiday season

Top Employers Hiring Bartenders in Costa Mesa

South Coast Plaza Restaurants

Newport Beach Hotels

Fashion Island Dining

The LAB and The Camp

Pacific City Huntington Beach

Student Success Stories

Hear from our graduates who launched their bartending careers in Costa Mesa

"Newport Beach restaurants serve a discerning clientele. The professionalism training was essential - these guests expect excellence. Now I work at one of Fashion Island's best spots."
MP

Michelle Park

Restaurant Bartender

Class of 2023

"Huntington Beach in summer is incredible. High volume, great tips, perfect weather. The speed training I got prepared me for those packed weekend shifts."
RS

Ryan Simmons

Beach Bar Bartender

Class of 2022

"The wine knowledge from the program helped me land a position at a Laguna Beach wine bar. OC has a sophisticated palate, and the training covered it all."
LC

Lauren Chen

Wine Bar Specialist

Class of 2023

Local Information

Everything you need to know about bartending in Costa Mesa

California Liquor Laws

Minimum Age to Bartend 21+
Alcohol Serving Hours 6:00 AM - 2:00 AM
TIPS/RBS Required Recommended
Required Certifications:
  • RBS Certification (required)

Entertainment Districts

The Triangle

Costa Mesa's premier entertainment district with restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues.

Newport Beach

Upscale beachside dining and yacht club bars catering to affluent clientele.

Downtown Huntington Beach

Surf City's main street with beach bars, restaurants, and tourist-driven nightlife.

Laguna Beach

Artist community with boutique restaurants, wine bars, and oceanfront dining.

Insider Tips

Orange County values professionalism and presentation. Dress well, know your wines, and develop relationships with regular guests. Private club positions offer stability if you prefer consistent schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our Costa Mesa, California bartending program

How is Costa Mesa for bartending jobs?

Costa Mesa is central to OC's best markets. You're minutes from Newport Beach's upscale restaurants, Huntington Beach's high-volume bars, and Irvine's corporate dining scene.

What's the difference between Costa Mesa and Orange County campus?

Costa Mesa serves the coastal OC market (Newport, Huntington, Laguna) while our Orange location is better for inland Orange County. Choose based on where you want to work.

Are beach bars good places to work?

Beach bars offer incredible summer income with tourist traffic and vacation spending. Many bartenders earn their best money from May through September at beach locations.

Do you place in Newport Beach restaurants?

Yes! We have connections with Newport's dining establishments from casual to fine dining. Newport's affluent clientele means excellent tips for skilled bartenders.

Is parking available?

Yes, free parking is available at our Costa Mesa campus in the Harbor Boulevard complex.

What about yacht club and country club jobs?

Orange County has numerous private clubs that hire bartenders. These positions offer excellent pay, regular hours, and professional environments.

Nearby Bartending Schools

Explore other ABC Bartending College locations near you

Orange

California

Start your bartending career in the heart of Orange County! Our Orange campus provides convenient access to Anaheim's entertainment district, Old Towne Orange's historic charm, and the entire inland OC market. Perfect for those looking to work near Disneyland, Angel Stadium, or the region's growing restaurant scene.

9 miles away View

Los Angeles

California

Become a bartender in the entertainment capital of the world! Our Hollywood campus puts you at the heart of LA's legendary nightlife scene. From celebrity hotspots to rooftop lounges, learn the skills to work anywhere in this diverse and exciting city.

33 miles away View

West Los Angeles

California

Launch your bartending career on LA's affluent Westside! Our West Los Angeles campus serves Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and the entire Westside. Train for positions at upscale restaurants, hotel bars, and the region's most exclusive venues.

41 miles away View

Canyon Country

California

Launch your bartending career in the Santa Clarita Valley! Our Canyon Country campus serves the growing communities of Santa Clarita, Valencia, and surrounding areas. With quick access to Los Angeles and a thriving local restaurant scene, this location offers the perfect blend of suburban convenience and career opportunity.

61 miles away View
View All Locations

Start Your Bartending Career in Costa Mesa

Join thousands of successful graduates through our online bartending program. Learn from anywhere in Costa Mesa with flexible scheduling and earn your certification in just 2 weeks!

Start Online Course Call (888) 901-8477

Also Serving:

Newport Beach Huntington Beach Irvine Santa Ana Fountain Valley Tustin Laguna Beach Corona del Mar