ABC Bartending Schools - Bartender Jobs and Employment Nationwide

Trade School

June 1997

Mixing studies

If sleeping late is your thing, get a night job, but first try Jacksonville's bartending school.

ABC Bartending School offers 40-hour courses that mix hands-on experience with classroom studies. Students learn how to mix drinks, cut fruit and operate a cash register. The history of beer and wine is also taught. "We teach people how to walk, talk, think and look like a bartender," said Ron Hobbs from ABC Bartending, " and of course, that comes down to customer service." Apparently, the stereotype of bartenders as confidants is true.

"From my experience, we're the poor man's psychiatrist," Hobbs said. "We don't use couches, we use bar stools."

Graduates get jobs at night clubs, hotels, restaurants and sports bar.

Collen Hiltz, 36, of Jacksonville attended the ABC school in April. Now she works weekends at Seafood Galore in Neptune Beach.

"I would recommend bartending for everybody," Hiltz said. "It's good to have on the side to make some extra money. "Hiltz graduated from college with a degree in advertising. She chose the bartending school so that she could have a flexible schedule and a way to make money while she looked for a full-time job.

Hiltz recently started a job at Apple One employment agency, but she plans to keep bartending.

Students of the Bar

March 1997

The Perfect Bartender

Always light the customer's cigarette. 'I was like a panther moving towards them if I saw someone lighting a cigarette
Always give the customer a clean glass with each drink.
Always acknowledge a new customer. If you're busy, let them know you see them right away
Don't buy drinks for a good customer. Introduce him to the owner or manager, and that way, they're both flattered.
Serve the ladies first. Chivalry still exists, and remember, the lady always tell the man how much to tip.

Hey, bartender

By Daniel P. Ray (Freelance Writer)

Almost anyone can belly up to a bartending job, but making a decent living at it requires a double shot of personality and hustle.

Training is relatively brief, and available either on the job or from a private school. Age, gender and looks, while important, won't preclude employment. And an ever-thirsty South Florida keeps the job market brimming.

Mastering Mixology

Getting set with a job requires training and several private schools offer bartending courses. They generally last for two weeks, with varied hours to accommodate day and night students. The schools boast tremendously high placement rates for graduates.

Students learn drink mixing, procedures for opening and closing bars and cash register operation. They also learn about Florida's dram laws, which hold bars responsible for the actions of over served customers.

At the end of ABC's two-week course, owner Tony Sylvester also demonstrates how to flip bottles, a la Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail.
"I used to teach it early in the course, but then there would be broken bottles and glasses all over the place." he said. "I learned my lesson. Now, I do that in the last hour to two hours of the program, so they'll go home and practice it on their own bottles."

Compatible with the club

Clubs tend to hire bartenders who match their clients.

"This business is set up on the theory right face, right place." Sylvester said. "That means your style and your personality matter, in addition to your ability to get the job done. Different bars require different style, and that's what gets you the job."

November 1990

Tony Sylvester's Advance Hospitality Services Connects Employers and Restaurant Personnel

When you are new to an area, such as South Florida, it is an unusual experience to find people who know their business, and are ready and able to help you get settled. Tony Sylvester is that kind of person. His motto is "Don't Worry, Be Happy! Help is Here." Tony Sylvester owns and operates one of the finest hospitality employment agencies in the Broward/Palm Beach/Dade corridor - Advanced Hospitality Services. He has a long and illustrious record with the restaurant and hotel industry. To say that Tony knows everybody is an understatement. They not only know Tony, but respect him.

Tony started his career after serving in the military during Vietnam. In New Jersey, he started out by running a successful cabaret nightclub. He then spent many years traveling the east and west coasts of the United States tending bar and managing various facilities. He has worked in every imaginable operation. This is why Tony knows the business. And that is why Tony is more qualified to help those in the industry. When Tony Sylvester moved permanently to Florida in 1977, he opened the first school for bartending and restaurant service. Later the company grew to four schools. He noted the tremendous growth and the severe need for well trained personnel. After ten years of providing top notch graduates to the area, he sold his interest in the schools to concentrate on his latest venture - the employment service. His knowledge of the area and it's restaurateurs make him highly qualified to provide successful career guidance.

The Broward Times

August 24,1978

By Shirlee Williamson

Staff Writer

Bartending School Teaches Gracious Service And Style

School Courses Mix Well

Bartending Classes Teach Attitude

Ft. Lauderdale News

November 1977

By Glenda Cohn

Staff Writer

Spirit's What Student Needs

In Passing This Bar Exam

Tony Sylvester could probable motivate a swizzle stick.