Seattle Bartending School

4.8 (150 reviews)

Learn bartending in the Pacific Northwest's largest city! Seattle's thriving craft cocktail scene, influenced by coffee culture and local ingredients, offers unique opportunities. Train downtown and tap into connections throughout the Puget Sound region.

Class Schedules

Choose the schedule that works best for you at our Seattle 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.

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Campus Location

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Campus Photos

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Flexible Nationwide Training

Beyond Our Seattle Campus

In addition to our Seattle campus, we offer flexible training options tailored to your schedule and location across Washington.

In-Home Instruction

A certified bartending instructor comes directly to your location in Seattle 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle.

Flexible scheduling Certified instructors Nationwide coverage Job placement assistance
Local Insights

Seattle's Bar & Cocktail Scene

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

Seattle: Pacific Northwest Cocktail Culture

Seattle's bar scene blends tech-driven innovation with Pacific Northwest values - local ingredients, sustainability, and craft attention to detail.

Top Cocktail Bars

  • Canon - World-renowned spirits collection and cocktails
  • Rob Roy - Belltown's classic cocktail destination
  • Navy Strength - Tiki and tropical drinks with PNW twist
  • Roquette - Modern French with exceptional drinks

Craft Distilleries

Westland Whiskey, Copperworks, and Seattle Distilling lead the local spirits movement.

Trending Drinks (2026)

  • Pacific Northwest spirit features
  • Coffee-based cocktails
  • Sustainable/zero-waste bar programs

Job Market Data

Bartending career opportunities in Seattle, Washington

Bartender Salaries in Seattle

Entry Level $32,000/year + tips
Median Salary $38,000/year + tips
Top 10% $58,000+/year

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Job Market Outlook

2,400

Bars & restaurants in Seattle metro

9% over next 5 years

Projected job growth

Peak Hiring Seasons

March-May, September-October

Top Employers Hiring Bartenders in Seattle

Amazon Corporate Events

Microsoft Campus Events

Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Climate Pledge Arena

Tom Douglas Restaurants

Student Success Stories

Hear from our graduates who launched their bartending careers in Seattle

"Canon has one of the largest spirit collections in the Western Hemisphere. The foundation from ABC Bartending College gave me the confidence to pursue positions at world-class bars."
EN

Emily Nguyen

Bartender

Class of 2022

"Corporate events at tech companies pay incredibly well. The program's professionalism training was just as valuable as the drink-making skills."
BM

Brian Morrison

Event Bartender

Class of 2023

"Seattle's farm-to-bar movement is exciting. Learning classic techniques at the school gave me the foundation to now create cocktails with local, seasonal ingredients."
RK

Rachel Kim

Bar Manager

Class of 2021

Local Information

Everything you need to know about bartending in Seattle

Washington Liquor Laws

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

Entertainment Districts

Capitol Hill

Seattle's most vibrant nightlife neighborhood with LGBTQ+ venues, dive bars, and craft cocktail spots.

Ballard

Former industrial area now home to breweries, distilleries, and Nordic-influenced cocktail bars.

Pioneer Square

Historic neighborhood with classic Seattle bars, live music venues, and game-day crowds.

South Lake Union/Amazon Campus

Tech worker hub with upscale happy hour spots and corporate event venues.

Insider Tips

Seattle's bar community is collaborative, not cutthroat. Attend industry events like Seattle Cocktail Week. Many top bartenders came up through Canon, Sun Liquor, or Rob Roy - these are launching pads for careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our Seattle, Washington bartending program

What is a MAST permit?

MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) is Washington State's required permit for serving alcohol. We prepare you for the MAST exam, which you must pass before your first shift.

How does the tech industry affect bartending?

Seattle's tech giants (Amazon, Microsoft) host frequent corporate events needing bartenders. Tech workers also drive happy hour traffic and support upscale cocktail bars. It's a significant employment driver.

Is the cocktail scene really craft-focused?

Absolutely! Seattle is home to several world-renowned cocktail bars and a strong local distillery scene. Knowing about Pacific Northwest spirits gives you an edge here.

Do you cover coffee cocktails?

Yes! Seattle's coffee culture extends to cocktails. Espresso martinis, coffee liqueurs, and creative caffeine-infused drinks are popular here, and we cover these in our program.

Can I work in Bellevue or the Eastside?

Yes! Our job placement extends throughout the Puget Sound region including Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. The Eastside has a growing restaurant and bar scene serving tech workers.

What's the bar scene like in winter?

Seattle's indoor culture means bars stay busy year-round! Dark winters actually boost bar traffic as people seek cozy, warm spaces. Don't let the rain scare you - it keeps the crowds coming in.

Start Your Bartending Career in Seattle

Join thousands of successful graduates who launched their careers at our Seattle campus. Enroll today and be working behind the bar in just 2 weeks!

Also Serving:

Bellevue Tacoma Everett Redmond Kirkland