Bartending?

My fiance was recently laid off. He's been getting unemployment, but since we only have 11 more weeks until our daughter is born, he would of course like to get a job ASAP.
One idea he has brought up is being a bartender. He says his brother used to be one. That the hours are flexible, and the tips are great.
He says he can take a few week long class that will cost $395 (Starting out with a down payment of the first $200 and the rest can be paid upon completion of the class if wanted). He says there are a lot of job openings at bars in our city and that the reason is because people don't want to pay for the class.
He wants me to help him pay for the class, because he says this would be a good investment when it comes to increasing our income. He says it will be temperary because that isn't what he wants to do for the rest of his life, but that he's thinking in terms of making money and being able to spend as much time with us as possible so he can help care for our daughter as well.
What do you ladies think? Is this a good idea? I'm afraid there's not as much money to be made in it as he thinks their is.
TIA.  

I think it would be a great idea. Around here you can make a lot of money as a bartender.

around here you make really good money bartending, but the hours are not flexible. If you want to work when/where you really make money, you have to work late. Like, to closing time (past 2AM)
but I guess it would really depend on your area.

Quoting GrumpsMama.:" I think it would be a great idea. Around here you can make a lot of money as a bartender."

Really? Thank you. I just need my mind put at ease that this wouldn't be something that costs us money, but brings no results.
We live in a city called Long Beach that has a huge gay seen, and lots of bars.
My fiance is one of those straight guys who is a big hit at gay bars for some reason lol so maybe if he woorked at a gay bar the tips would be aflowin' in.

You make good tips if you're good at what you do. If he ends up being a smurffy bartender it might not be as good as what it seems  

Quoting Amber :]:" around here you make really good money bartending, but the hours are not flexible. If you want to work ... [snip!] ... you really make money, you have to work late. Like, to closing time (past 2AM) but I guess it would really depend on your area."

What he means by flexible is that he can work at night, and maybe only part time.
He goes with me to college during the day currently and when baby is born he says he'd like to be here with her.
but the money is good though? iI know he'd be making minium wage but he says
tips is where the money is really at.

If he finds a job at a nice bar, he could make a really good wage. My dh's friend did bartending when he was laid off and he and his wife didn't have to worry about how they were going to pay their bills.

Quoting S+K=R [34 WEEKS!]:" You make good tips if you're good at what you do. If he ends up being a smurffy bartender it might not be as good as what it seems   "

He says he has experience bar tending in TX when he used to live there. Because I did bring up that what if he sucks at it.
I guess I'm kind of an anxious person when it comes to money so I'm just worried.

Quoting J+K=Bri+?  :" If he finds a job at a nice bar, he could make a really good wage. My dh's friend did bartending when ... [snip!] ... did bartending when he was laid off and he and his wife didn't have to worry about how they were going to pay their bills."

Thank you. Reading this makes me less worried. We are worrying about our bills now, and it would be great to not have to so much.

Quoting Two Princesses:" He says he has experience bar tending in TX when he used to live there. Because I did bring up that ... [snip!] ... I did bring up that what if he sucks at it. I guess I'm kind of an anxious person when it comes to money so I'm just worried."

Does he HAVE to take a class? I know around here there are bars that will train people on the spot.

Quoting S+K=R [34 WEEKS!]:" Does he HAVE to take a class? I know around here there are bars that will train people on the spot. "

I will ask him about that option when he gets home.
If he could do it and also not have tooo pay $395 for a class when he says he already has experience would be awesome.

Any service job (wait staff/bartending) the money is definitely in the tips. That being said the other ladies are right, it all depends on how good he will be at it and you won't know that till he tries it. Depending on the bar part time might yield some good money but usually full time/regular bartenders make the money. Another plus is you get money everyday that he works.

<blockquote><b>Quoting S+K=R [34 WEEKS!]:</b>" Does he HAVE to take a class? I know around here there are bars that will train people on the spot. "</blockquote>




This! Since he already has experience, a place may hire him and just give him a refresher training.

Quoting Krystal Shelton:" Any service job (wait staff/bartending) the money is definitely in the tips. That being said the other ... [snip!] ... some good money but usually full time/regular bartenders make the money. Another plus is you get money everyday that he works."

Thank you for the info.
Hoping a bar will train him without the class like another momma said. So if he does happen to tank it, he at least won't have wasted the money.

Quoting J+K=Bri+?  :" <blockquote><b>Quoting S+K=R [34 WEEKS!]:</b>" Does he HAVE to take a class? I know ... [snip!] ... "</blockquote> This! Since he already has experience, a place may hire him and just give him a refresher training."

I hope so.