Buy a man a drink, and he'll be hydrated for a day; teach him to make perfect cosmopolitans, and he will be wetter than a mad hen—with knowledge. Cheers to a moister mind with today's deal: for $175, you get entry into the bartending training program (a $490 value) at Main Line Center for Bartending in Manayunk. Today's Groupon gives the option of taking five day classes (Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.), or 10 evening classes (Monday– Friday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.), or five weekend classes (Saturdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.). This Groupon does not include the optional T.I.P.S. class. See subjects and a schedule here.

Main Line Center for Bartending provides a hands-on learning environment to become a Pennsylvania-state-licensed bartender in just one, two, or five weeks. Each class spends at least 80% of the time behind the bar, with the remaining time filled with lectures, role-playing, or brainstorming how to mix undiscovered beauties, such as the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster. In class, students tend to a 35-foot bar completely stocked with all the necessary equipment. By the end of each session, wet-eared barkeeps will grasp the mixing of more than 250 drinks, ins and outs of general bar duties, and how to enlighten patrons with astute customer service and a convincingly consoling wipe-down of the guest-tender gap.

After course completion, graduates receive an official bartender's license and partake in a one-night test pour at a local bar. Then, certified Main Liners can step on the tending track through the center's many referrals and continue their journey with the lifelong comforts of free job placement assistance and free refresher courses. Classes must be scheduled in advance, so be sure to phone ahead and grab a few rubber bottles of non-alcoholic grain alcohol for pre-class practice.

Participants must be 18 or older.

Reviews

Five Yahoo! Locals give the Main Line Center for Bartending a perfect five-star average, as do three Google Mappers.

• I thought the relaxed atmosphere made learning simple and fun. The staff was upbeat and happy to be there. Teachers were knowledgeable and thorough. – renee, Yahoo! Local
• I basically walked in knowing nothing and came out feeling confident. My favorite part was graduation night when we were able to serve drinks at an actual bar!!‎ – mgiannetto, Google Maps