How to Become a Bartender in New Jersey

To become a bartender in New Jersey you need to be at least 18, and you don't need a state license. Most people get hired faster with training: you can start today with unlimited hands-on training, it costs $299 today, and comes with job placement help.

6 steps to become a bartender in NJ

Make sure you're 18 or older
New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control says no one under 18 may be employed to work on licensed premises that serve alcohol. Some supervisory or management roles may require you to be 21 or older.
Age and license rules in NJ →
Know that NJ has no bartending license
New Jersey doesn't issue a state bartending license, so there's no exam to pass. Employers hire based on training, certification and experience — which is what a bartending school certificate shows them.
Do you need a license to bartend in NJ? →
Get hands-on training
Most bars won't hire someone with no training or experience. At Famous Bartending School you start today and train behind a real bar as much as you need (unlimited training): cocktails, free pouring, speed, beer and wine service, POS systems and customer service. Classes run mornings, evenings or weekends in Newark, Wayne and Woodbridge.
How the training works →
Earn your certificate
Graduate with a bartending certificate that shows employers you've done the training. Missed classes can be made up for free, and you can come back for unlimited practice and refresher classes.
Bartending certification in NJ →
Get hired
Our job placement team starts helping the day you graduate — 99.9% of graduates are placed. Partner bars across New Jersey send us their bartender openings.
Start earning
In the New York–Newark–Jersey City area, bartenders earned a mean of $27.91 an hour in May 2023, tips included, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much bartenders make in NJ →

Becoming a bartender in NJ — common questions

Everything you need to know about bartending school in New Jersey

How long does it take to become a bartender in NJ?

With bartending school you can start today: unlimited hands-on training at your own pace, then job placement help the day you graduate. Learning on the job instead usually means starting as a barback and working your way up, which takes longer and depends on the bar.

How much does it cost to become a bartender in NJ?

The course at Famous Bartending School, with unlimited training, costs $299–$349 depending on the day you enroll ($299 today), or $289 during holiday specials. You can start with a $100 deposit. There's no state license fee because NJ has no bartending license.

Can you become a bartender with no experience?

Yes. Bartending school is designed for complete beginners — you learn everything from scratch behind a real bar, then graduate with the training employers look for.

See all bartending school questions →