Bartending 101 course goes dry

"In vino veritas," the saying goes. Yes, in wine there is truth, but for students in Bartending 101, offered by the Princeton Bartending Agency, wine also offers friends, instruction and lots of cash.

The question is: Does the course offer real alcohol?

According to Mia Boserup '05, manager of the bartending agency, colored water, not real alcohol, will be used in the course this year.

She declined to comment on whether or not real alcohol was used in past years. The dry course will also be held in Frist Campus Center, not an eating club, this year.

"Harvard has run its course without using real alcohol for 20 years," Boserup said. She said the students will use real bottles from alcohol makers with accurate colors to attain a certain realism.

The Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students serves as an intermediary between the bartending agency and the administration.

Under the supervision of Student Agencies Director Sean Weaver, many precautions are taken in the bartending course, including certification to learn how to check ID's and when to stop serving alcohol to an intoxicated customer.

Because many bars and restaurants requires it bartenders to be certified for insurance reasons, it has become an integral component of the course.

The bartending agency also provides jobs for the most skilled bartenders in the course. Many jobs are available on campus at faculty and departmental functions.

The students are not, however, allowed to provide their services for students parties, Boserup said.

"It's so much fun and elegant," she said of manning the bar at faculty parties.

During Boserup's freshman year, Bartending 101 was overflowing with students as 300 enrolled in the course.

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Last year the course boasted about 100 students, and it will be offered both semesters this year.

This year professional bartenders from all over New Jersey will teach the courses, instead of traditional University students.

Boserup added that she is trying to solicit bartenders from Princeton's Triumph Brewery to help instruct the students.

Lucrative living

But students who have taken the course agree on one thing: bartending pays well.

Bartenders make $9 to $12 an hour at faculty affairs and many will pick up large tips at these events. Those trained by the bartending agency also have the opportunity to work part-time jobs in the Princeton area and full-time jobs during the summer.

"People in the course make a lot of money," Boserup said. "It's a huge investment."

Social component

The social aspect of the course also appeals to University students.

"The class just seems like a good way to meet people . . . very social," said Luke Cohler '08, who signed up for the fall semester course. "I want to be able to mix drinks . . . fix a martini for guests who come over."

The bartending course "stresses fun . . . even if some people don't want to tell their parents," Boserup said.

Bartending 101 requires a $80 enrollment fee and meets once a week — with two courses available at 9 p.m. on Thursday and two more at 9 p.m. on Saturday.