bartending toronto

The top 10 bartending schools and cocktail classes in Toronto

Bartending schools and cocktail classes in Toronto might not replace the years of experience required to truly learn the art of cocktail-making, but they can be a fun way to up your skills in a hurry.

Here's are some of the top places in Toronto to go and pick up some cocktail making skills.

Bartending School of Ontario

At BSO you can opt to take a bartending skills course or a mixology workshop like Cocktails 101. This school is also a destination to receive a Smart Serve certification for $85. 

Toronto Institute of Bartending

The training programs that used to take place at Spirit House have moved to the Distillery District. Here, you can take a bartender certification for $359 per course and cocktail workshops for $59.

BareBones Bartending

This school currently offers two courses, each focused on different interests and needs. There's the $99 BareBones Bartending Course that can be done online and the $69 Cocktail Workshop that can be taken at bars like Dumbo Snack Bar

George Brown

The Ontario college offers a number of Food and Beverage courses and workshops that dabble in the realm of bartending. Take courses and expand your knowledge on MixologyCocktails and much more.

BarChef

Toronto's bar known for their outrageous cocktails also offers a number of mixology workshops. Take a class on cocktails and spirits while you imbibe on fabulous concoctions. Seminars are 30 to 40 minutes long and are available at the Queen West bar, or they can come to you.

Grey Tiger

The Bloordale bar offers a series of cocktail classes facilitated by their co-owner Ryan Ringer. For beginners they offer at Intro to Cocktail Basics for $85. Once you've completed the intro course, opt for their intermediate class to learn more about vermouth for just $75.

Civil Liberties

If you're looking to elevate your bar game, this bar near Bloor and Ossington may just be the place to visit. They offer a Bar School that teaches you the fundamentals of bartending over the course of four days. Classes run from noon to 3 p.m. and cost $400.

Famous Last Words

This literary-themed bar in the Junction is not just a spot to geek out. They offer $60 cocktail classes that will teach you all the tricks of the trade. Classes includes four cocktails across various styles and spirits. They are 90 minutes long and run on Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Grand and Clover Cocktail Co.

Beyond offering services for celebrations like birthdays or bachelorettes, Grand and Clover Cocktail Co. has a number of community workshops. Workships run as a low as $65.

Suite 114

This speakeasy at Bay and Dundas offers cocktail classes for groups ranging from 4 to 12 people. Classes will teach all the techniques to stir and shake cocktails. It costs $65 and spots can be reserved online

Lead photo by

Jesse Milns at Grey Tiger. With files from Jen Hunter, Lisa Cumming and Jaclyn Skrobacky.


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