Northwest Chicago Suburbs Bartending School

4.8 (150 reviews)

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.

Class Schedules

Choose the schedule that works best for you at our Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect & Surrounding Areas

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

Flexible Nationwide Training

Training Your Way in Mount Prospect

No matter where you are in Mount Prospect or Illinois, 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 Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect. 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 Mount Prospect.

Flexible scheduling Certified instructors Nationwide coverage Job placement assistance
Local Insights

Mount Prospect's Bar & Cocktail Scene

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

Chicago Northwest Suburbs: Corporate and Community

The northwest suburbs offer excellent opportunities near O'Hare and in growing local downtowns.

Key Areas

  • Arlington Heights - Thriving downtown scene
  • Schaumburg - Corporate and convention market
  • Des Plaines - Rivers Casino and O'Hare area
  • Palatine - Growing local community

Business Travel Market

O'Hare proximity creates consistent demand from business travelers and conventions.

Rivers Casino

Illinois's premier casino offers excellent positions minutes from the campus.

Job Market Data

Bartending career opportunities in Mount Prospect, Illinois

Bartender Salaries in Mount Prospect

Entry Level $29,000/year + tips
Median Salary $36,000/year + tips
Top 10% $55,000+/year

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Job Market Outlook

2,200

Bars & restaurants in Mount Prospect metro

9% over next 5 years

Projected job growth

Peak Hiring Seasons

Spring through fall, convention season, holidays

Top Employers Hiring Bartenders in Mount Prospect

Schaumburg Convention Center

Woodfield Mall Area

Rivers Casino Des Plaines

O'Hare Airport Hotels

Arlington Park Area

Student Success Stories

Hear from our graduates who launched their bartending careers in Mount Prospect

"The O'Hare hotel market is huge. Business travelers and conventions keep us busy year-round. The professional service training was exactly what I needed."
SP

Sarah Peterson

Hotel Bartender

Class of 2023

"Rivers Casino is the best casino job in Chicagoland. Great pay, professional environment, and close to home. The high-volume training prepared me perfectly."
TM

Tom Mitchell

Casino Bartender

Class of 2022

"Downtown Arlington Heights has become a real dining destination. Training close to home meant I could work nearby instead of dealing with the city commute."
AC

Amanda Chen

Restaurant Bartender

Class of 2023

Local Information

Everything you need to know about bartending in Mount Prospect

Illinois Liquor Laws

Minimum Age to Bartend 21+
Alcohol Serving Hours 6:00 AM - 4:00 AM (5:00 AM Saturday)
TIPS/RBS Required Recommended
Required Certifications:
  • BASSETT Certification (required)

Entertainment Districts

Downtown Arlington Heights

Charming suburban downtown with diverse restaurants, bars, and seasonal festivals.

Schaumburg/Woodfield

Major commercial hub with convention center, mall dining, and corporate hotels.

Des Plaines/Rivers Casino

Casino entertainment and O'Hare-adjacent dining and hotels.

Downtown Palatine

Growing restaurant scene with local character and community events.

Insider Tips

Build relationships with O'Hare hotel bartenders for shift opportunities. Rivers Casino values reliability and professionalism. Downtown Arlington Heights has great local character.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our Mount Prospect, Illinois bartending program

Why train in Mount Prospect instead of Chicago?

If you live in the northwest suburbs, why commute downtown? Train locally, work locally, or use your skills anywhere. The suburban market is excellent.

What is BASSETT certification?

BASSETT is Illinois's required alcohol server training. We include this certification in our program, so you're legally ready to work immediately.

Can I work at Rivers Casino?

Yes! Rivers Casino Des Plaines is one of the region's premier employers. These positions offer excellent pay and benefits in a professional environment.

What about O'Hare airport area jobs?

The O'Hare corridor has numerous hotels with bars and restaurants serving business travelers and convention attendees. These positions value professionalism.

How is Arlington Heights as a market?

Downtown Arlington Heights has developed into an excellent restaurant and bar district with local character. It's become a destination for suburban dining.

Can I work in Chicago after training here?

Absolutely! Our certification is valid throughout Illinois. Many graduates work in Chicago while living in the more affordable suburbs.

Start Your Bartending Career in Mount Prospect

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

Also Serving:

Arlington Heights Schaumburg Palatine Des Plaines Elk Grove Village Rolling Meadows Buffalo Grove Wheeling