POUR
INTERNATIONAL BARTENDER’S COURSE
International Bartender Certificate
During the POUR international bartender course, the content is carefully structured and delivered in focused sections each day, allowing learners to build a strong, practical foundation before progressing to more advanced concepts. By covering a few modules at a time, students can deeply absorb the essentials—like tools, service, and spirit knowledge—before moving on to complex techniques like flavour balancing and cocktail creation. This layered approach ensures that every new skill builds naturally on the last, resulting in confident, well-rounded bartenders ready for the real world. It’s not just information—it’s a progressive journey toward mastery behind the bar.
International Bartender Certificate – R16 000 per person
Why our training program?
Created and run by CAUSE | EFFECT, the highest awarded cocktail bar in Africa. Our world-class bartender school offers an intensive 3-week course combining hands-on practical training with in-depth theory.
What sets us apart is our unique focus on bar prep, operations, and real-world experience—students gain on-the-job training through an integrated internship at CAUSE | EFFECT itself. Only take 12 students per month will be accepted in order to keep the training tight and focused.
We also include a creative cocktail design element for budding mixologists, so whether you’re starting out or looking to level up, you’ll graduate with a certificate, industry-ready skills, and the confidence to thrive behind any bar.
*Internship can be extended at no extra cost.
POUR COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE MODULES
40% Theory | 60% Practical
MODULE 1:
ORIENTATION TO BAR TENDING
- The goals of the course and your future
- Career pathways in hospitality
- Understanding the hospitality hierarchy
- What it means to be a bartender
- Key bartender qualities: professionalism, awareness, ownership
- Introduction to sustainability in bartending
MODULE 2:
HYGIENE & BAR READINESS
- Personal and station hygiene
- Waste management and bar cleanliness
- Mise en place: prep and readiness for service
MODULE 3:
TOOLS, EQUIPEMENT & GARNISHES
- Introduction to bar tools and cutting techniques
- Types of knives, boards, shakers, strainers
- Garnish preparation (basic to advanced)
- Glassware types and usage
MODULE 4:
PRODUCT & ALCOHOL KNOWLEDGE
- What is alcohol? How is it made?
- ABV, fermentation, distillation, maturation
- Spirits: Brandy, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Whisk(e)y
- Wines, beers, ciders, vermouths, liqueurs, bitters
- Classic cocktails by spirit type
MODULE 5:
LEARNING & COCKTAIL CREATION (CUSTOM ADDED)
- Understanding flavour structure (sweet, sour, bitter, umami)
- Matching spirits with modifiers and mixers
- Balancing cocktails with acidity, sweetness, dilution
- Building new drinks from base spirits
- Creative garnish, aroma, and texture design
- Concept creation: turning a flavour idea into a signature drink
MODULE 6:
COCKTAIL MAKING CONCEPTS
- Cocktail mechanics: glass, method, ingredients, garnish
- Shake, stir, build, blend, layer, float, dash
- Working with speed and accuracy
- Pouring techniques and jigger accuracy
- Practical drills (e.g. throwing a Negroni, speed rounds)
MODULE 7:
ICE, SERVICE & DRINK ASSEMBLY
- Ice types, quality, handling and dilution
- Highball and lowball service rules
- Drink building: how to layer flavour and speed up service
- Non-alcoholic drinks and mocktail creation
MODULE 8:
CUSTOMER SERVICE & GUEST EXPERIENCE
- Greeting, seating, taking orders
- Reading the guest and anticipating needs
- Upselling and building regulars
- Alcohol responsibility and legal compliance
- Complaint handling and shortage communication
MODULE 9:
BAR OPERATIONS & SETUP
- Bar station setup (speed rails, glassware, condiments)
- Opening, closing, and shift handovers
- Stock control and brand placement
- Bar layout, efficiency and flow
MODULE 10:
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS & REAL LIFE SETUP
- Speed pouring drills and station timing
- Cocktail service simulations
- In-store shadowing experience
- Final theory and practical exam
Exams include:
Practical test
Theory test
Creative cocktail evening with guests & friends
Next Course start date:
July 21st 2025 – 8th August 2025
Cocktail evening with friends: 13th August 2025
Classes:
Day: Monday – Thursday – 10:00 – 15:00
Evenings: Friday – Sunday – 16:00 – 01:00.