Fast-track your way into the bartending industry with a highly practical mixology experience inside a real working cocktail bar in Manchester city centre. This is not a classroom-based course. It is a practical bar experience where you learn by working behind the bar. You will receive an initial introduction and ongoing supervision from our experienced instructors. This experience is designed to reflect real bar working conditions, so you will not have an instructor constantly by your side. “Private” and “one-to-one” mean that only one participant is trained at a time and that no other students are present during your training period. Course format & timing The experience is tailored to your background and goals. It can be suitable both if you want to start a career in bartending or cocktail making, and if you already have experience and want to develop your skills further in a real bar environment. Scheduling & timing You can propose your preferred training week, which will be confirmed and approved by us. The experience includes 20 hours of practical training. This is usually delivered from Wednesday to Saturday, during the bar’s busiest service times, to maximise real-world exposure and learning. Typical training schedule: Wed: 17:00–21:00 (4 hours) Thu: 17:00–21:00 (4 hours) Fri: 18:00–22:00 (4 hours) Sat: 14:00–22:00 (8 hours) If you have specific scheduling needs, these can be discussed with us in advance. Training hours may be split across multiple weeks, subject to availability and approval. 📍 Dirextra Wine & Cocktails School – 14 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DZ Highlights Private practical experience – one participant at a time (no group training) Hands-on training inside a real working cocktail bar Learn by working behind the bar, not in a classroom All drinks are prepared by you, gaining more repetition and real experience Gain the equivalent of 3 months of real entry-level bar experience By the end of the experience, you’ll be able to prepare 30+ classic cocktails with confidence and consistency Learn to keep a bar organised, clean and service-ready, following real industry standards Develop speed, efficiency and workflow behind the bar Learn to handle cocktails, wine service, coffee, soft drinks and everyday bar orders Work using real ordering systems (KDS) and live service flow Understand what working behind a bar really involves — not just making cocktails Be awarded a Dirextra certificate at the end of the experience Build confidence to start in an entry-level bartending role and progress over time Why real bar experience matters In the hospitality industry, most bars do not train complete beginners from scratch. If you apply for a bartending role with no real bar experience, you will usually be offered a bar back or glass collecting position, often for several months — sometimes up to a year — before being trusted behind the bar. This Practical Mixology Experience is designed to bridge that gap. By working behind a real bar with real customers, you gain: Confidence in a live service environment Familiarity with bar pace, workflow and pressure Practical experience preparing drinks, not just observing A realistic understanding of what bartending actually involves This means that, while 20 hours are not enough to make a complete beginner fully confident, they can be enough to: Build real bar awareness Develop basic speed and organisation Apply for entry-level bartending roles, rather than bar back positions Continuing your training Bartending confidence comes with repetition and time behind the bar. For complete beginners, it is normal to need more than 20 hours to feel fully confident. For this reason, additional training blocks of 20 hours can be purchased after completing the first experience. Any further training is: Tailored to your progress Focused on your weak points Offered at a discounted rate, discussed and agreed at the end of the first 20 hours This allows you to build confidence gradually, without committing upfront to a long programme. Training Programme If you are a beginner, you’ll learn how to: Set up a professional bar Use basic pour techniques Prepare simple garnishes Deliver smooth, confident service Prepare 30+ classic cocktails with confidence and consistency, including Bramble, Whiskey Sour, Espresso Martini and Old Fashioned, using fresh ingredients Master essential bartending techniques such as muddling, churning, shaking and stirring Learn how to layer shots, blend cocktails, pour accurately and use a jigger Become confident with key bar tools and basic equipment Understand the fundamentals of spirits and their origins — covering vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and brandy — plus an introduction to beer and wine Practice all of the above continuously behind the bar, working in a real service environment with real customers If you are more advanced, you’ll focus on: You’ll learn how to prepare core ingredients used in professional cocktail making, including: Syrups Cordials Foams Bitters Fat washes Shrubs Garnishes You’ll also develop advanced techniques such as: Double shaking Rolling Double stirring You’ll work on 40+ classic cocktails, with a strong focus on understanding flavour structure and ingredient pairing — essential skills for developing your own signature drinks. Course Venue Sicilian NQ, award winning "Best Neighbourhood Bar 2023 - Central Manchester", it's a charming mediterranean style wine bar, relaxed and characterful venue nestled in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter, right in the heart of the city center. Northern Quarter is a cool neighbourhood, with lively street art, bohemian bars and independent shops. It's home to lively restaurants and some of the city's biggest music venues, featuring concerts from trendy independent bands and famous artists.
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