The Ace Bartending Academy

The instructor was very knowledgable, and very patient. The atmosphere was just incredible. Kellie, was amazing and she tries to help with job placement. I honestly learned more then I expected and I had an amazing team which really helped out. I never thought that I would have found friendship and guidance from complete strangers.

Kelly was awesome, Dave was cool too. This class was fun and I learned a ton. I highly recommend this class plus they give you updates on job opportunities.

Ace Bartending school is great. Even though they didn’t have high star reviews I took a chance and went there and I am happy I did. The class is very interactive and interesting. Our teacher, Don, is the best teacher I could have asked for. He reviews the important stuff over and over again so by the end of the course you will know a lot without studying. But, I highly recommend studying at home because it is necessary to pass the test and to know your stuff. Don is very entertaining and he explains the ingredients in the drinks in a funny and easy to remember way. Also, if you feel you need to practice more you can go back to the class without paying extra. Bottom line… I had a lot of fun, I learned a lot and I highly recommend this school.

Great Class. Teacher is a goofball. Its great havin a class you dont have to worry about sleeping in. Not an upright class, but the instructor won’t give you bull crap instruction. My head was hurtin I had so many drinks in my head, but its all worth it.

I had an awesome time in this class. The group was very motivated and energetic. The instructor was professional and knowledgeable about his craft as a Master Bartender and willing to share all his information. If you want to be the best then you need to learn from the best. The course is only $ 300 for two weeks of intense training and hands on experience. All the other courses I checked were $ 3000 – 5000. I am looking forward to a new and exciting career as a Master Bartender. Expect bar humor, after all, you will be working in a bar. Thank you Don and David.

If you’re going to go to bartending school, just remember two things.
1) Memorize, memorize, memorize
2) Make sure you’ve cleared your schedule for study time.
If you do those two things, you’ll do well in this school because two hundred or so drinks is a lot to learn.
Someone had posted on Facebook that Groupon was running a sale on a bartending school in Las Vegas and they added «Wouldn’t it be fun?» I was in agreement with that idea so while I was in Vegas over Christmas break from school I took the two week course and I’m glad I did.
As for the Groupon, there was a misprint or perhaps some miscommunication on this offer stating something like «Bartending Certificate for $ 99.00.» At the end of the first week the school requested an additional $ 100.00 for the second week. I paid it to the school and got on the phone to Groupon and requested a hundred dollar credit — Groupon agreed. If you’re a Grouponer, you know you’re going to spend another hundred bucks on some other deals so…
Take the class with a friend or friends and have a blast.

Let me revise/​clarify since the owner or whomever placed the comment below —
Yes, of course you have to go to an interview — I don’t expect a job to be handed to me. I called or emailed someone in regards to this school before I paid in regards to the job placement. (This was when I first moved to Vegas 3 years ago) I asked them what all this entailed. They told me that they email out new jobs when they were informed about them so you can call and set up an interview. I was even told that if they feel a position would fit you, they would even set up an interview for you. This is not true. I have never received one email in regards to job postings. After a few weeks I saw that I received nothing, I called again. They said «Oh, no… you have to actually come into our location and look at our board.» I’m sorry, I’m 30 years old and I work an 8 – 5 job on the weekdays. I don’t have time to drive 20 minutes just to look for a part time job, especially when I went to this school because of the convenience I was told of that they would be emailed to me.
Oh, and look… they have it on their website —

I signed up on a whim and attended the class for fun. I have nothing bad to say except that the GroupOn wording was confusing. Overall I’m glad that I took the class and now I could basically work anywhere that allows alcohol. Dave and Don were easy to get a hold of and were very accommodating.

My parents bought me the 2 week class for my 21^st b-​day. It worked out good cuz the school is just a block away from my work. Don is a cool teacher. Really knows his stuff.
You will learn the basics of bartending and how to make a butt load of drinks. You won’t learn how to flip bottles or dance on a bar if that’s what your looking for.
I passed my final exam with a score of 90%. They say only 5 people in the past 10 years got 100%. If you get a perfect score you get to sign a wall picture or something.
Really a great time and made a lot of friends I still text and hang out with after graduating.

If you are wanting to learn all the ins and outs about bartending in the Las Vegas market then skip this business all together because the ONLY thing they teach students is to memorize a bunch of drinks. That’s it! Don’t believe the hype on their website.
Anybody can buy a drink book and memorize drinks for minimum cost and without the hassle of attending class.
Dave and Don run the show and they both dress like slobs. Don does the training and I have absolutely no clue what value Dave adds to the class.
Expect the place to be run down and missing a bunch of basic bar equipment like glasses.
If you plan on attending in Winter dress in layers of clothing because they refuse to heat the classroom. And, the bathroom is filthy.
They heavily advertise on Groupon and Living Social. Make sure you read the fine print of the coupon as to what you are exactly buying because many of the coupons are only good for one week of training yet the training program is designed for two weeks (or 30 hours) and they will try to squeeze you for more money on the second week of training.
They do not issue students with a certificate of attendance unless you pass the final exam which again is based on memorizing drinks.
Apparently they are authorized to issue a Nevada Alcohol Education Card for $ 30 cash (emphasis placed on cash) yet Don refuses to spend any time teaching the subject matter. All you do is take the test and then you are issued a card.

I just completed the Ace Bartending Academy in Las Vegas. I loved this school, and am very proud of my certification. This hands-​on approach academy not only gave me sincere skills for bartending, but I learned the business as well as day-​to-​day practical advice for bartending in a city that is filled with the industry. This is the only school to attend if bartending is what you want to do. Don, the owner, is amazing. His knowledge of the industry and insights to the field are so helpful and will give future bartenders an edge in the industry. He knows his industry cold — and is such a great teacher, advisor and mentor. This two week class is tough. You need to be really vested to do well but as Don says, you get out what you put in. I have such a new appreciation for this industry. Best bartending school in Las Vegas. Must attend if this is what you want to do.

Just completed their two week bartending course and I absolutely loved it. With the hands on practice and some studying you will have no problem remember the 100 or so drinks. The instructor Don was awesome, he had helpful ways of learning the drinks and made the class fun and entertaining.

What a fun experience! I never had the courage to do this in the past; so I’m glad to have found the groupon and Ace Bartending Academy!
Learning the recipes to so many drinks can be daunting but Don, the instructor, makes this class very fun and easy. It’s all about studying and hands on practice. You’ll get lots of practice in class so come early and don’t be late!
Its my last day and I’m relieved but sad to end the experience. I met some truly wonderful people here and Don is the best! Two weeks have flown by but I’m now ready to mix some drinks and get this «employment» party started! lol

Purchased the 2 week class off of group on, so the class was half the price. Don was an awesome teacher, the class is very fast paced after the first week is over so make sure you pay attention. Only thing that stinks is they say on their site they do job placement, they don’t. They ask you to write down your email and they will email you job information, but they never do. Just a heads up.

I purchased a Groupon for the 2-​week bartending class and I had a blast behind the bar!
Coach Don was great and had an awesome personality — he gives you tips on how to learn the drinks and creates a fun environment so you will have fun doing it!
Now I can proudly say that I know over 200 cocktails by heart! Including shots, 2-​liquor drinks, margaritas, martinis, sours and collins.
As long as you dedicate yourself to the class, you’ll enjoy it. Those that didn’t dedicate themselves, dropped off.
I would definitely recommend this class to anyone!

I got the Groupon deal for the 2 week bartending class and have to say it was a great investment.
During the 2 weeks of class, we covered basic bartending jargon and over 200 cocktail recipes, most of which I am now happy to say I know at the top of my head.
The teacher is fun, relaxed, and constantly asks you questions about different types of liqueurs, alcohols and recipes. Most of all, I like the fact that most of the class is hands-​on: after all, you want to become familiarized with working in a bar area.
Although I wish we had covered how to pour a beer and wine, as well as some other few drinks, I have to give this school 4 stars. I ended up being fast, knowledgeable and confident behind the bar while having a great time doing it.

This course was awesome. I enjoy it so much. Coach Don the instructor was really nice and entertaining. He’ll educate you and quiz you to most of the drinks that you make. He’ll give you ways on how to memorize the drinks easily, there relations and to be familiar with it as well. And he’ll make you feel comfortable behind the bar. I 100% recommend this class to anyone. You will learn and at the same time you will have fun. It’s really worth of my time. Keep it up.

Screw this place.
I bought a Groupon in JUNE to take a 4 hour mixology course here. I planned to use it while I was in Vegas from July — September, but I never got the chance to use it. Why? It’s almost impossible to get in touch with these people. They have a voicemail that says they’re with other students and to leave your name and number so they can call you back within an hour, but that’s bullsh*t because I never got a single call back. I probably called about 4 or 5 times during the two months I was in Vegas and left one voicemail with my name, number, and reason why I called. Every time I called it was between 10am-​2pm Mon-​Thurs. Did I really have to call and leave more voicemails? Apparently it wouldn’t have mattered. I don’t know if it was the fact that I mentioned I had a Groupon on the voicemail or what, but that shouldn’t make them completely ignore me.
Since I wasn’t able to use my Groupon while I was in town, I gave it to my boyfriend and he tried to make an appointment today for Oct 11 (2 weeks in advance). The first person who answered said they didn’t have October’s schedule, so they’d give him a call back when the person with the schedule gets in today. Of course they didn’t give him a call back, so I told him to call them and the guy with the schedule was there (go figure). He said their only opening in October for the Groupon mixology course is October 24 because they’re so booked. REALLY?! That’s a little hard for me to believe considering I was never able to get through to them and they apparently ignore all voicemails and don’t return people’s calls.
We’re going to have to resort to selling this Groupon now because this mixology course is obviously not going to happen. I actually purchased two, but I already sold one because they failed to be available for me to make a reservation for my brother’s bday (I had to get him another present). I STRONGLY advise any of you who are even thinking about getting their Groupon, to just IGNORE IT, especially if you’re from out of town.

This is my second week at ace bartending school. As of today reality hits, even a teacher who you pay will treat you like shit. You pay to learn, my teacher dawn is anything but helpful he’s perverted rude irrational and belittling. He asked how did I get a job? And then asked if ill become a stripper if bartending didn’t work out. As he goes on he asks me to leave the class because I am pointless being there
I’m in contact with a lawyer office now. Save your money

Ace Bartending Academy allows you to read over the information for your TAM card online and go in to take the test instead of making you sit through a 2 or more hour class. If you are in a rush and do not have the luxury of wasting time, then this is the option for you.
The website for online education shuts down at 9pm, which is much better than most class hours. The course consists of 6 modules, and you are required to stay on each slide for a minimum of 10 seconds. You will finish in 20 – 30 minutes. After you finish studying, you will print out the proof of completion form, and bring it in on your test day. Their normal hours for walk ins are 11am-​12pm and I want to say 5:30pm-6:30pm. If those times do not work for you, they give the option of calling in to set an appointment.
The cost of the class is $ 25. You can find cheaper proctors, but I was in a crunch. Now I am legal to handle alcohol. Less time to consume and more time watching other people enjoy. Bitterness is coursing through me as I type.