Source: Google Reviews

BEST BARTENDING SCHOOL IN MIAMI

By Andew - Mar 28, 2012 : they teach you what you want to know and help you find jobs. I just got a job offer today working at the AAA for all the heat games. Thats after they helped me get in to work ultra. Elite bartending is where its at.

Outstanding school

By AlanT ‎- Mar 23, 2012 : Outstanding school with owners and staff who work hard to teach you, find you a job and place you at events. If you put in the effort, you will be rewarded. The school's placement assistance helped land me a job at American Airlines Arena. I'm very happy I chose Elite to train me and highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in learning how to bartend. I have yet to meet or hear of anyone who went to the school who had anything but great things to say about it.

By Jordan ‎- Mar 19, 2012 : Three years ago I took the bartending class. It goes without saying, that the teachers were excellent and that I learned how to make over 200 drinks. What truly sets Elite from the other bartending schools is what they offer you after you graduate. Day 1 after I graduated, my teacher helped me write my resume. I went to school out of state and when I applied to bartend, my manager told me that he checked out my references (my teachers at Elite) and he has never heard a nicer one before. After college, I moved back to Miami and wanted to start bartending again. Not only did they help me find a job (3 years after I took the class), but just by being an alumnus I get to go to different mixology and flair workshops, such as how to make different mojitos and different spins on martinis... all for free. Normally, these classes cost more than $200, but just by being a graduate of Elite, they are free. If you want to have fun while you learn and then have a staff that still cares about you after you graduate, go to Elite. 3 years in the bartending scene and I have not yet met someone who has had a better experience from their bartending school.. and honestly, I don't think I ever will.

Elite bartending school is amazing

By daniel ‎- Mar 12, 2012 : I had known idea i could learn so much in 10 days let alone go on to work ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL a week after graduating it’s a great opportunity to learn something new and make a lot of money doing it. They work in a real world setting and prepare you for real world situations if you put in the work you'll get every penny back in the blink of an eye

Is a great bartending school

By Ed ‎- Dec 30, 2011 : Friendly environment, all instructors are down to earth and very knowledgeable of drinks, and bartending. You will be surprised how much you will learn in 2weeks of class. They help with staffing with events and job opportunities! I currently work at the AAA arena and have worked many events.

Elite Bar-tending school is absolutely amazing!

By tyler - Dec 8, 2011 : Everything they claim is completely true. The class is very hands on and really does prepare you for a career in bar-tending. It is in Downtown Miami but they offer free parking to all students. When you complete the class they help you look for a job. Austin and Gordon really keep their word and really care about their student. Gordon recently walked me and about 10 other alumni into interviews at the American Airlines Arena and I just received a call today confirming i got the job. Highly recommend this school!

Elite Bartending School was worth every penny.

By Zach R ‎- Nov 30, 2011 : The class is set up at an actual night club with several full bars for students to learn and practice their new skills. Class sizes are very small in order for the instructor to be able to work with each individual. This class not only licenses you in the state of Florida, but it also teaches you proper technique and how to use it with speed, efficiency, and accuracy. Not an easy course by any means but if the student puts in the time and effort to perfect his/her skills it will pay off. All of the instructors are very friendly and very focused on making sure each student is properly working the bar from every aspect of the trade. They are all bartenders at well-known bars here in the Miami area and can give great examples of any situation you could come up with while tending to a bar. A two handed, free pouring method is mastered at this school and makes for a faster bartender. Even those who have prior experience have a lot to learn from this school and can really take it to the next level by correcting some of the poor habits that may have been obtained over the years. There was never a dull day in the class and always something to learn. Very overwhelming at first but very rewarding when it all starts coming together. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to learn how to bartend and would recommend it even more for those who have been bartending for years; you would be surprised how much more there is to learn. Since the school also staffs events, there are plenty of opportunities for students to fill in and make some extra money on the side. This school is the way to go and is a great boost to a resume.

I wanted to try something new

By Rob ‎- Nov 15, 2011 : I wanted to try something new and eventually decided on bartending school. I was a little hesitant to dole out $500, but I can honestly say I got my money's worth. The course is 40 hours and you complete it over the course of two weeks (unless you take the weekend courses). You have the option of taking a morning class, an afternoon class, and an evening class and each session lasts 4 hours. Traffic will be an issue on the way there or on the way back (it took me 20 minutes to get there and sometimes over an hour to get home), but hey, that's Miami for you. Morning classes seem to be the most popular so if you're looking for a smaller class size, consider taking the afternoon class. My class was only five people so I got a lot of one-on-one time with the instructor, Kevin. As other reviews have mentioned, the course is fun but definitely challenging. I think a lot of young people sign up thinking they'll just do shots and BS their way through a common-sense exam, but that is NOT the case. You're expected to learn a TON of material in a short amount of time so studying is a must! You will get to drink real liquor occasionally, but 95% of the time you'll be practicing with water. I was impressed by Kevin and Austin (the owner)'s professional yet easy-going attitudes. They're both very good teachers who are passionate about what they do. Even though my class coincided with a lot of weird conflicts and distractions (Labor Day, job issues, an R Kelly music video, pole dancing auditions, setting up for a UFC fight...no I'm not kidding), they took it in stride and still gave us a really good experience. At the end of the two weeks, you'll take an hour long written exam, a practical, and a pour test. All three can be daunting if you're unprepared, so you're encouraged to study and stay after class to practice your pours and time yourself making multiple long drinks, shots, and martinis. Take the tests seriously! Elite offers opportunities for job placement and they've delivered more than I expected. You'll have access to a forum after you graduate where you can post your resume and sign up for events (the company IS called "Elite Bartending School and Event Staffing" after all). Many gigs require a score of 90% or higher to be eligible but some of the more lucrative events ask for a 95% or higher. This is really only possible if you take the class seriously, memorize your recipes, and practice your rounds and pouring. Because I scored so high, I've booked three events and even got a job interview through the forum. Other perks: 1) Lifetime membership. If you didn't do well or need a brush-up a few months down the line, you can jump into another class for free. 2) They offer a flair and mixology course. 3) They have "open bar" 5-6 days a week where students are allowed to come in and practice making drinks. 4) BBC accredited and state licensed! 5) Great staff, very cool club environment, and an all-around good time. Highly recommended!

By TeddyKGB‎ - Aug 9, 2011 : The course was both fun and challenging. The instructors are knowledgeable and helpful and make their classes entertaining as well as informative. There is a lot to learn in a short period of time. It's the type of thing where you will get out of it exactly what you put into it..... The only gripe I have about the classes is that the daily starting time would be delayed until all students arrived. Naturally, there was one student who habitually couldn't manage to show up on time, routinely leaving the rest of us sitting there banging our heads off the bar top..... If you work hard you'll learn a lot here. But coming out of the course (in this or any other bartending school) with no prior experience, even if you ace it, you will not be prepared to step into a busy bar or club during prime hours and bartend effectively. This course will only lay the groundwork for your skills. The rest can only come over time, through experience working behind a real bar. The trick is to find your first job so that you are in a position to do so..... The true measure of the quality of any school, in my opinion, is whether its students are able to find jobs (ideally, good jobs). This is where the jury is still out, at least for me, regarding the school (or any bartending school, for that matter)..... Like most other schools, Elite advertises its job placement assistance. And, like most other schools, issues the disclaimer that it does not guarantee employment. Elite does staff occasional events throughout the year. They also staff Heat and Marlins games. But the majority of students who take the course do so with the hope and intention of finding an actual ongoing job at a bar or club..... Upon completion of the course, students are helped to create their “bartending resume.” In my case, this is where things seem to have been left. The possibility of job placement was not discussed. No “connections” to places in the industry were mentioned. I was told to pound the pavement until I found something. And I did extremely well in the course. They do publish weekly job leads on their website, but the ones I've seen so far have been the same ones advertised on job boards. I'm not speaking for everyone who has ever taken or will ever take the course. I'm just saying that in my experience, no type of job assistance has been discussed or offered..... So the bottom line of my experience at Elite is that the school offered me a place where, if I applied myself, I could learn the basics of bartending from knowledgeable instructors in a fun atmosphere, but I'm apparently on my own as far as finding a job goes, which I can't say was entirely unexpected. But I also have to be real and say that when a school touts its job placement assistance and you are a top performing student in the program, you don't hope to effectively hear from them that "yes, we do have job placement assistance but unfortunately not for you." Well, who for then? ..... I do recommend Elite to anyone who would like to learn to bartend. All things considered, I can't imagine that you'll find a better school. And if you score high enough on your exams and qualify to be staffed at their events or Heat/Marlins games, you can make back some of, all of, or much more than the money you spent on the course. You can trust that the school will live up to all that is promised, though possibly not all that is advertised, depending upon how you may interpret the meaning of "job placement assistance." So be advised that all you should expect from them is to provide you with the bicycle, so to speak. Be ready to do the pedaling both during and after the course. Finding a job may be an uphill ride or it may even be a Tour de France type of endurance test. Maybe you'll get lucky and coast into something good. But be prepared to have to work hard to get that first job even though the odds are that it won't be an ideal one, which, unfortunately, may be all that can reasonably be expected from even the best of bartending schools

A great learning experience!

By OscarG‎ - Jun 20, 2011 : A few years ago, I attended a fairly known bartending school here in Miami. I won’t say their name to prevent throwing them under the bus lol. So I wanted to get back into the trade and I decided to look into Elite. I saw their reviews and I had to go see it for myself. From day one, everyone was nice. The instructor Kevin seemed like he truly wanted the best for his students because I did sit in during one class before I signed up. The place was beautiful. A well-known club in Miami Beach. I decided to do the morning class with Austin since I figured I could stay a bit after to practice and not get any traffic lol. Austin was great. Very knowledgeable and gave many real life experience stories that were priceless. Especially the wet sock! lol I liked the fact that he's also still in the field in a very popular hot spot. So he obviously knows what he's talking about. I met some nice friends in my class. And the whole experience was fun. Everything is laid out so it won’t be too overwhelming. But you sure better study if you want to pass. I got a 95% overall but I did put it some time. Gordon was also very nice and cool. He's the one in charge of the forum and job leads. I never met the female instructor but she seemed nice. Overall, it was a great experience. Besides learning behind a real bar. You get to taste and make real drinks. From margaritas, martini's, mojitos, some shots and shooters, daiquiris. etc. Id def recommend this course to anyone who’s looking to get into this trade or just wants to further expand their knowledge.

It's been a great experience!!

By Giuseppe ‎- Jun 18, 2011 : The last 2 weeks are been fun and intense, i met a lot of nice people and i feel that i really learn a lot of new things. The teacher were great and at the same time straight, which i love it!! I really suggest this 2 weeks intense course to anybody. I already did my sommelier coarse and now after this 2 weeks i feel much more rounded and ready to approach any kind of job with the necessary knowledge!!

By Àsgeir ‎- Jun 18, 2011 : I Loved the time I spent there came all the way from Iceland to attend they’re course and it was so worth it!

Absolutely phenomenal!

By X_Karel_X ‎- Jun 5, 2011 : I have been wanting to bartend for years and as soon as I sat in on one of the classes, I knew I found the right place! The teachers were stupendous and really worked to make sure I understood EVERYTHING about making and serving drinks, they even talked about how to interact with customers in certain situations. My teacher Austin was really supportive and made sure I understood everything and gave us plenty of practice time. They even gave us an hour of flair class which was absolutely amazing, since flair is the reason I first got into bartending. If you want to really learn about bartending, this is the place for you!!!!!

Great school!!

By alexandra ‎- Jun 3, 2011 : Very friendly environment. Loved every minute of it. I started last week not knowing a thing about bartending and drinks. I had a great teacher. Austin is awesome! He made sure that everyone in the class was comfortable and understanding the program. Now i feel like a pro, and can't wait to start showing off everything Austin thought us. Seriously, 2 weeks ago I didn't know a thing about mixing liquors and liqueurs, or about the 3 Wise men and how they are different from each other. ;)... so 2 thumbs UP Elite! I can't wait to start with the other workshop they have coming soon.

Hands down the BEST bartending school around.

By Tesia ‎- Jun 2, 2011 : The staff will work with you no matter what skill level and spend as much time needed to get you to your desired skill level. Within 7 days I know SO MUCH about bartending and have even spoken to the Director about a couple of job opportunities he sent me. I came in knowing nothing about bartending. It is one of the only licensed bartending schools... If you think bartending is for you, Elite is the way to go!!!

Elite Bartending is the school to go to get top of the line education in the field of Bartending and Mixology.

By Jenner - Jun 2, 2011 : It is a great school for beginners, as well as veteran bartenders who want to touch up on their skills. In just 2 weeks they teach you everything there is to know in order to become a great bartender. Austin is a great instructor who emphasizes on speed and efficiency, and provides plenty of insightful advice about the business of bartending. Elite is hands down the best bartending school in Miami.