"Denver's cocktail scene has exploded in recent years. ABC Bartending College gave me the classic cocktail foundation that landed me at one of the country's best bars."
JM
Josh Martinez
Bartender
Class of 2022
Denver Bartending School
Train to bartend in the Mile High City! Denver's booming food and beverage scene offers amazing opportunities in craft cocktails, craft beer, and everything in between. Our Denver school puts you at the heart of Colorado's hospitality industry.
420 E 58th Ave, Suite 135
Denver, CO 80216
Call Us
(303) 500-8672
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 Denver 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 Denver Campus
In addition to our Denver campus, we offer flexible training options tailored to your schedule and location across Colorado.
In-Home Instruction
A certified bartending instructor comes directly to your location in Denver 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 Denver. 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 Denver.
Flexible scheduling
Certified instructors
Nationwide coverage
Job placement assistance
Local Insights
Denver's Bar & Cocktail Scene
Discover the local hospitality landscape where you'll build your career
Top Cocktail Bars
Denver 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 Denver
Espresso Martinis
+45% popularity
Low-ABV Cocktails
Growing demand
Local Spirits
Regional focus
Job Market Data
Bartending career opportunities in Denver, Colorado
Bartender Salaries in Denver
Entry Level $31,080/year + tips
Median Salary $37,180/year + tips
Top 10% $97,950+/year
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), 2025
Job Market Outlook
2,650
Bars & restaurants in Denver metro
5% nationally (2025-2035)
Projected job growth
Peak Hiring Seasons
Late spring through early fall (May-September) for patio season and Denver's festival calendar, plus a secondary surge around the NFL season and the holiday/New Year's event season
Top Employers Hiring Bartenders in Denver
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Ball Arena, Paramount Theatre, Dick's Sporting Goods Park)
Sage Hospitality Group
The Oxford Hotel (home of The Cruise Room)
Student Success Stories
Hear from our graduates who launched their bartending careers in Denver
"I bartend at Vail in winter and Denver in summer - best of both worlds! The program helped me get my foot in the door at mountain resort venues."
KA
Kristin Anderson
Seasonal Bartender
Class of 2023
"Rockies game days are incredible - great energy, good tips, and I get to watch baseball. The high-volume training prepared me for handling the rush."
MT
Marcus Taylor
Event Bartender
Class of 2024
Local Information
Everything you need to know about bartending in Denver
Colorado Liquor Laws
Minimum Age to Bartend 18+
Alcohol Serving Hours 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Server Training Required Recommended
Entertainment Districts
LoDo (Lower Downtown)
Historic warehouse district with cocktail bars, sports pubs near Coors Field, and rooftop lounges.
RiNo (River North Art District)
Trendy arts district with craft breweries, distilleries, and creative cocktail bars.
Capitol Hill
Eclectic neighborhood with dive bars, LGBTQ+ venues, and late-night spots.
Highlands/LoHi
Upscale dining and drinking destination with city views and craft cocktail programs.
Insider Tips
Denver's hospitality community is friendly and accessible. Attend Denver Cocktail Week events. RiNo bars often host industry nights on Sundays. Consider seasonal work at ski resorts for unique experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Denver, Colorado bartending program
Can I bartend at 18 in Colorado?
Often, yes. In Colorado you can generally serve alcohol at 18 in a restaurant-style venue while someone 21 or older supervises; taverns without regular meal service require servers to be 21. Many upscale venues prefer to hire bartenders who are 21+.
Are there ski resort bartending jobs?
Absolutely! Colorado's ski resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone) hire seasonal bartenders. These positions offer ski passes, housing assistance, and unique mountain lifestyle opportunities.
Is Denver's craft beer scene part of the training?
Yes! Denver has 100+ breweries, so understanding craft beer is essential. We cover beer styles, proper pours, and local brewery knowledge in our Colorado program.
What's the patio season like?
Denver's 300+ days of sunshine make patio season huge! From March through October, rooftop and patio bars are packed. This is peak hiring season.
Do you help with Boulder/Fort Collins jobs?
Yes, our job placement network covers the entire Front Range including Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs. Each city has its own unique bar scene.
How competitive is Denver's bar market?
Denver has grown rapidly, creating strong demand for bartenders. The craft cocktail scene is competitive, but there are plenty of entry points at neighborhood bars and sports venues.
Do I need a special license to bartend in Denver, Colorado?
No statewide bartender license is required in Colorado. Most employers do ask for (or provide) responsible alcohol-service training such as TIPS, and specific situations like liquor-store tastings or special events do require classroom training, so check with your employer about their specific policy.
How much do bartenders make in Denver?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), the median bartender wage in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $17.88 an hour, and the top 10% earn $47.09 or more. Those figures include tips reported to employers; unreported cash tips often push take-home pay higher at busy venues.
When is it easiest to find a first bartending job in Denver?
Hiring tends to pick up heading into patio season (roughly May through September) and around Denver's packed festival and sports calendar - Great American Beer Festival, Taste of Colorado, PrideFest, and Broncos/Nuggets/Avalanche home games all drive short-term staffing needs that are a common entry point for new bartenders.
Nearby Bartending Schools
Explore other ABC Bartending College locations near you
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
Bartend in OKC's booming scene! Our Oklahoma City campus trains you for Bricktown's entertainment district, the Paseo Arts District, and Thunder game day celebrations.
506 miles away
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Scottsdale
Arizona
Train in the heart of Arizona's premier nightlife destination. Our Scottsdale campus prepares you for high-end resort bars, trendy lounges, and upscale nightclubs.
581 miles away
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Phoenix
Arizona
Launch your bartending career in the Valley of the Sun! Our Phoenix campus offers hands-on training with job placement assistance at Arizona's hottest bars and resorts.
586 miles away
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Las Vegas
Nevada
Bartend in the entertainment capital of the world! Las Vegas offers unmatched opportunities for bartenders - from high-end casino bars to pool parties and world-famous nightclubs. Train in Las Vegas and launch your career in Sin City!
613 miles away
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Start Your Bartending Career in Denver
Join thousands of successful graduates who launched their careers at our Denver campus. Enroll today and be working behind the bar in just 2 weeks!
Also Serving:
Boulder Aurora Lakewood Fort Collins Colorado Springs