Barmixer, Barkeeper/Barmixerin, Barkeeperin

Preparatory courses for the examination take place, for example, at educational centers of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and private educational institutions. For in-person events, the learning locations are training rooms. For digital and combined learning formats (e.g., online courses, blended learning), the learning locations are training rooms for in-person events and at home for online learning units.

This is a type of continuing vocational training (Weiterbildungsberuf). The continuing training is an examination according to the regulations of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or internal regulations of the educational institutions. Participation in preparatory courses is not required. The duration of the continuing training varies depending on the educational offer, teaching time (full-time/part-time), and learning format. Barmen and barmixers, or barkeepers, mix alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails according to recipes and their own ideas. They also cater to individual guest requests. Furthermore, they prepare hot beverages, decorate drinks, provide snacks such as peanuts or olives, and serve small snacks if necessary. They ensure that all ingredients and materials for the preparation and serving of drinks are available. In addition, they monitor compliance with hygiene regulations and carry out cash settlements and inventory counts. Work areas and locations are the establishments where these professionals are employed.

Varies depending on the educational offer, teaching time (full-time/part-time), and learning format.

Distribution of hours (example): Bar Specialist Theory: General Bar Knowledge: 20 teaching hours, Product and Beverage Knowledge: 60 teaching hours, Bar Operational Procedures: 20 teaching hours. Total Bar Specialist Theory: 100 teaching hours. Bar Specialist Practice: Recipes: 13 hours, Setup of the Workplace, Application of Work Techniques, Presentation and Serving: 2 hours, Guest Consulting and Sales: 5 hours. Total Bar Specialist Practice: 20 teaching hours. Learning and Working Methodology: 10 hours. Total hours: 130 hours.

Attending preparatory courses generally incurs course fees, and the examination itself usually incurs examination fees. Additional costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities for particularly talented young professionals: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium (Continuing Education Scholarship) is available.

Specialist Theory: General Bar Knowledge, e.g.: Types of bars, maintaining equipment and facilities, adhering to basic rules such as safety, health, youth, and environmental protection. Product and Beverage Knowledge, e.g.: Learning about the origin, raw materials, and production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as infused drinks. Bar Operational Procedures, e.g.: Controlling stock levels, ordering, receiving, and checking goods, taking guest orders and preparing invoices, settling daily revenues. Specialist Practice: Recipes, e.g.: Learning recipes including garnishes, mixing techniques, and glass usage. Setup of the Workplace, Application of Work Techniques, Presentation and Serving, e.g.: Setting up the workplace clearly and functionally, professionally implementing recipes using the correct tools, presenting and serving drinks and food. Guest Consulting and Sales, e.g.: Advising guests in a targeted and factual manner, attending to guests, managing conversations.

Depending on the educational offering, there may be different additional qualifications, such as a Flairbartending Certificate or a HACCP (Hygiene Instruction) Certificate.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Product and beverage knowledge, for example, to prepare drinks according to international professional guidelines and recipes; warehousing knowledge, for example, to ensure quality standards in the storage of ingredients; hygiene knowledge, for example, to comply with hygiene regulations.

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: For full-time instruction, lessons are full-day on at least four weekdays; for part-time instruction, it is usually career-accompanying advanced training on weekends or evenings, or in block form. Learning formats include classroom instruction at the educational institution for in-person events (possibly not at the place of residence); exclusive learning via electronic learning platforms and systems for digital learning forms (e.g., online courses); and for combined learning forms (e.g., Blended Learning), in-person events in a classroom setting at the educational institution and self-directed learning via electronic learning platforms and systems from home.

For advanced training abroad, the following options are available, for example: In Austria, advanced training offers are available from AMS - Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich - Weiterbildungsdatenbank and WIFI Österreich (e.g., with the search term "Barkeeper/in"). In Switzerland, advanced training offers are available from wab - Die Weiterbildungsdatenbank der Schweiz (e.g., with the search term "Barkeeper/in"). The Europass offers the possibility to document learning stays completed abroad. Further information on the Europass is available.

Participation in advanced training is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Barmixer/in and Barkeeper/in: In the beverage sector, 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist Sommelier/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin Sommelière' (Certified Sommelier Specialist). Commonality: Attending to guests or customers and serving beverages. In the hotel and catering industry sector, 'Geprüfter Hotelmeister/Geprüfte Hotelmeisterin' (Certified Hotel Master) and 'Geprüfter Restaurantmeister/Geprüfte Restaurantmeisterin' (Certified Restaurant Master). Commonality: Taking on specialist and leadership tasks in the hotel and catering industry.

In 2020, the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended, introducing advanced training qualifications such as 'Certified Vocational Specialist', 'Bachelor Professional', and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations.

Exemption from individual parts of the advanced training examination is possible. Individuals are generally exempt from certain components of the examination if they have successfully completed an equivalent examination within the last 5 years.

Depending on the responsible chamber or educational offering, for example: Barkeeper (IHK), Barkeeper, Barmixer, Certified Barmixer.

Barmixer/Barkeeper is a vocational advanced training. The examination is regulated according to the legal provisions of the respective Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or by internal regulations of the educational institutions. Admission requirements, duration, and qualification titles may vary depending on the responsible chamber or educational institution. It is not necessary to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

Improve opportunities with additional qualifications: Aspiring barmixers and barkeepers can gain a good starting position by acquiring additional qualifications during their advanced training, such as the 'Flairbartending' certificate. Find the right employment: After their advanced training, barmixers and barkeepers work in establishments in gastronomy, hospitality, and the leisure industry. Secure employability: Through adaptive advanced training, one can keep their specialized knowledge current, up-to-date, and expand it. The range of topics extends from bar service to warehouse management. Advance professionally: Building on existing qualifications, career advancement training courses specifically designed for advanced training graduates can expand and complement their competence profile. Taking the examination as a Bar Master is a logical option. With a higher education entrance qualification, one can also study and, for example, obtain a bachelor's degree.

For the examination: The responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) issue examination regulations, for example: Special Legal Provisions for the Certified Barmixer from 15.11.2007 (IHK Südwestsachsen Chemnitz-Plauen-Zwickau). Overview of the responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce: Barmixer, regulations of the responsible bodies for vocational advanced training. Further: Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Humans (Infection Protection Act - IfSG), last amended by Article 3 Paragraph 1 of the Act of 04.03.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 60).

Admission to this advanced training (Weiterbildung) usually requires completing a relevant, recognized Ausbildung (vocational training) program and having corresponding professional experience, or having at least 4 years of relevant professional experience. Working with food requires instruction and a certificate from the Health Office (Gesundheitsamt).