School of Spirits Bartending College, San Diego

Supposedly teaching is for those who can't do, but that's not the case at School of Spirits Bartending College. Offering either one-week courses with a class size of 8-12 students or two-week courses with 10–30 students, expert bartenders teach the tricks of their trade, from free-pouring and mixing skills to creating colorful garnishes. Class time consists of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on drink-making workshops, during which instructors and peers have the opportunity to critique each student's performance and offer pointers. In between classes, students can brush up on their bartending knowledge by practicing with the school's mixing kits or flash cards. After graduation, the school's team happily assists pupils in their job search, tracking down more helpful leads than a dog trained to sniff for job openings. When in high demand, the school offers weekend sessions that are posted on their website monthly.