How My Son Started His Career as a Bartender in Los Angeles (and What We Learned Along the Way)

If you had told me five years ago that my son would become a bartender in Los Angeles, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because there’s anything wrong with bartending—but because it just wasn’t something I imagined for him. He wasn’t the “party guy” in school, never really hung out at bars, and didn’t seem particularly interested in cocktails beyond the occasional beer at family BBQs.

But here we are.

The Day He Told Me

I still remember the day he called me from his small apartment in LA and said, “Dad, I’m thinking about getting into bartending.” My first reaction? “Are you sure? You want to work at a bar?” It’s not that I didn’t support him—I just didn’t get it at the time. I always pictured him doing something more... conventional, I guess. Maybe marketing, maybe something with music. But bartending?

Then he explained what drew him to it. The creativity, the social energy, the pace, and yeah—being in control of his own income. He talked about how he didn’t want to sit behind a desk. He wanted something real, something people-focused, something alive.

That’s when I started listening.

Learning the Ropes

What impressed me was how seriously he took it. He didn’t just show up at a bar and hope for the best. He did his research, found out he’d need his Responsible Beverage Service certification (California law), and started looking for training programs.

That’s when he found Los Angeles Bartending School. He told me it was legit—structured classes, experienced instructors, hands-on training. He even practiced making drinks at home (which, I won’t lie, wasn’t bad for me either—I got a few decent cocktails out of it).

I could see the shift in him. He wasn’t just trying something for the sake of it—he was building a skill, a craft. It felt like a real career move.

Landing That First Gig

After the course, he landed a barback job at a small cocktail bar in downtown LA. Nothing fancy, but it was a start. He was hauling ice, cleaning glasses, prepping garnishes—doing all the grunt work. And you know what? He didn’t complain once.

After a couple of months, he got bumped up to bartending. He was nervous, of course, but I could tell he was proud. That first week behind the bar, he called me and said, “Dad, I made it through a Friday night rush and didn’t mess anything up.” I could hear the pride in his voice.

It wasn’t long before he started crafting his own drinks, learning the names of regulars, and building real connections.

Watching Him Grow

I’ve watched him become more confident, more mature, and honestly, happier. Bartending isn’t just mixing drinks. It’s managing stress, multitasking, keeping your cool when the bar is packed, and still treating people with respect.

He’s now working at a higher-end spot near Hollywood. He makes decent money, loves what he does, and is even talking about taking some mixology certification courses. He’s learning about flavors, hosting private events, and networking with people I never thought he’d meet.

What I Learned as a Dad

Look, as a father, you always want the best for your kids. And sometimes that means letting go of what you thought was “best,” and trusting that they know what they’re doing.

Here’s what I took away from all this:

Bartending is a real profession, especially in a city like LA where the scene is alive and competitive.

Education makes a difference. That bartending course gave him the tools—and confidence—to actually break into the field.

It's a stepping stone. This career could take him in so many directions—management, events, even opening his own bar one day.

Support matters. Just being there to listen and not shoot down his idea meant more than I realized at the time.

So yeah—my son’s a bartender. A good one. And while I never saw it coming, I’m proud of the man he’s becoming. And hey, next time you’re in LA, ask for a mezcal old fashioned. If it tastes smoky and smooth with just the right kick—it might’ve been made by my kid.