What's the best way for somebody with no experience to get into bartending?

Go to bartending school. Some schools even find job placement for you. It's like two hundred dollars, and I think its a couple of weeks. It's worth it though!

I am a waiter, and have had to make drinks when working the over night shift, without knowing a damn thing about it. I just followed the book, and never had a problem. But if you really want to learn the four basic kinds of drinks and all the variations etc., and if you have $300 dollars, it might be worth it to go ABC bar tending school.

However, assuming you do not have $300, you could likely get a book on "how to be a bartender."

Read it, and then go and hang out at a hotel bar and chat with a bartender and tell them you want to learn how.

If you go in the afternoon, to a restaurant or hotel bar, they will not be so busy.

Also, if you are cute, just pick up the classifieds and tell them you don't have experience, but want to learn.

Third, you could ask if they need cocktail waitresses. If you can get a tray and practice carrying it with 8 drinks on it in your left hand, you might be able to get a cocktail job. Its super hard work, but you will eventually get to learn drinks.

Good luck.

(also mustang is full of it. wine knowledge is a whole different thing, and has not much to do with being a bartender. "volunteer" work at a nightclub? Please.)

Most cities have Bartending Schools. That is a good way to become a professional Bartender and make much better money and work in much nicer places.

A lot of the time these schools will assist you with placement.

hey im a bartender at the moment your first step is to go get a rsa (responsible service of alcohol certificate) its only a days course. Once you get that your on the way to being a bartender, your best best is to learn cocktails and wines since they are really big try doing some volunteer work at some local nightclubs or bars after you get your rsa once you have a little experience behind you, you should be on your way but if you really want to get into it you can get a diploma for bartending.

One option is you can become a waiter, and work your way up. That way, they teach you, and you can learn how to bartend in your own time.

There are heaps of rsa courses around, check your local paper, centrelink office and tafe

there are schools opened at night just to teach you... it may run about 500 or more for the course.. well worth it though.