If you want to get your foot in the door and behind the bar without experience then I propose that you create your own Bar School Boot Camp. 

Take a bartender book and go to a bar that has a nice bartender working the day shift. Be there between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Great places to try are chain restaurants or any restaurant with a bar. You’re searching for a BarMentor. You might have to check out a few of places until you feel a connection with someone, but it’ll happen. Most bartenders like people with books because often guests look to bartenders to entertain them, but when you bring your own source of entertainment the bartender will immediately like you. I predict the bartender will ask what you are reading, but if they don't then ask them something about something in the book that you don't understand to make a connection.

Tell them that you want to be a bartender one day and you’re trying to learn everything about it. Then ask them how they learned to be a bartender. Making a good connection like this is one of the best things you can do. You’ll be able to return and ask questions and get information and instruction from someone who is actually doing what you want to do.

Somehow, someway, obtain several empty liquor bottles. Frat house trashcans, your barmentor, end of the night parties, or dumpsters behind bars are excellent places to look. Clean them inside and out, fill them with water, and put pourers on them. You can even get creative and add food coloring and label them. (A few drops of tea work well for the whiskeys.) Next, go to your local thrift stores and get a small collection of bar glassware. You'll need to purchase some bar tools because every profession has tools of the trade. You must know how to use them, and more important, get a good feel for them. And after you own them, you have the bonus of being ready to work for any private party anytime, anywhere.

Teach yourself how to pour, strain, muddle, stir, build, rim, roll, chill, flame, float, layer, shake, etc. If you don’t have a counter that’s the height of a bar, use your ironing board. Go to bars and watch bartenders. What do they have on tap? Where is their wine kept? Where’s the trash can? Are they running tabs? Are the beer glasses chilled? What kind of bottle opener are they using? Just be aware of everything they do. If you can find a bar where the bartender is slammed and you can hide in the corner at the end of the bar, this is great—you don’t want them seeing you stare. 

Go out and find a job anywhere in the food and beverage industry, even if it’s part-time. It’s important that you understand the inner workings. Also, if you’ve never worked a POS system or cash register, I highly recommend that you pick up a shift somewhere where you have to use one so you can get some real hands-on experience.

Keep your eyes and ears open for any mention of any party of any kind. When you hear of someone throwing a party, tell them you’d like to bartend the party for free. If they say, “All we’re serving is sangria,” reply, “Ok! I’ll serve the sangria!” If they’re only serving beer and wine, it’s a great chance for you to practice opening beer and wine bottles. The whole idea is repetition. Stop and think of something you’re good at. Now, why are you good at it? Most times it’s because you’ve had lots of practice.

Try to learn something new every day. Learn how to cut garnishes, do bar tricks, spiral napkins, etc. Make flash cards, keep practicing, learn from books or any other media, and visit bars. When you finally apply at a bar, go there and hang out. Listen to the drink orders and watch how they do things and you’ll be prepared for how that bar operates.