OWEN O’ROURKE / ITEM PHOTO
Erin McCabe is a co-owner of the North Shore Bartending Services in Peabody, where she will teach bartending classes to the general public. Here she mixes the standard martini.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
PEABODY — Bartending classes will be coming to Bourbon Street.
North Shore Bartending Services, Inc. is mixing things up with the opening of a new facility at 6 Bourbon St., where it will offer basic bartending and certification courses to the general public.
Seminars on wine and craft cocktails, team building sessions, small group meetings on industry-related topics, a ServSafe Alcohol certification program and recertification courses will also be offered.
“We have built a state-of-the-art bar where people can come and learn in a simulated setting,” said company president George McCabe. “Our location is easily accessible for our students and clients.”
The company serves as a bartending service for weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions, reunions, graduation partiers, business openings, clambakes and other backyard gatherings, birthday parties, wine tastings, Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, and dozens of other events, according to its website.
McCabe, who is also the founder and owner of North Shore Bartending Services, has more than 25 years of bartending experience. He’s certified by the National Restaurant Association as a ServSafe Alcohol Instructor and teaches bartending and mixology at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill.
McCabe and his daughter Erin McCabe, who has 10 years of bartending experience, will be stirring things up with the addition of the new center and bartending classes.
“We now have a one-stop shop where our clients can come and see the glassware and types of bar set ups we offer,” said Erin McCabe, who is the vice-president for event planning and co-owner of the new facility.
The new facility will improve the company’s already busy service and rental business, she said.
“It will be especially beneficial for our wedding clients. We serve at a lot of weddings, in a variety of settings,” she said.
“We spent a little extra money so we could simulate working at a real bar,” George McCabe said.
Labeled liquor bottles are lined up behind the bar filled with appropriately colored water to make the experience more realistic, he said.
“We will have simulated training where people will learn everything from different garnishes, glassware, how to know when not to serve someone,” he said.
“We’re not in the business of getting people drunk,” he said. “We’re in the hospitality business, making sure people have a good time.”
“Really they can make anything once they get the techniques down,” McCabe said.
He said students will learn how to shake, stir, pour, layer, and chill, among other things.
“They’ll learn the proper way to pour and the proper amounts,” he said.
An open house for prospective students will be held on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Day classes will begin on Monday, Dec. 28 and evening classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 4.
Those interested can register by visiting the center or by calling either 978-535-4400 or 978-766-4673.