Came here for a refresher course and the experience was amazing! I'm so happy I could gain more experience and knowledge here!

Excited to finally have time to review this school. Had some spare time on my hands; wanted to earn income and a technique as a single mother. The people here were fun and easy to learn! Thanks for the experience!!! read more

ABC Bartending Schools - Certificate - Bartending Schools Near Me - Orlando, Florida

You get what you put into it ---- I took the 2 week morning course this past summer since I was unemployed at the time and could use the job placement "help" they offered. Here are the pros and cons of the school: PROS: 1) The instructor, Chris, really really knows his shit and worked in corporate (BWW) for 20 years. Everything taught in the course is to that standard. 2) You will receive a book with over 100 cocktail and shooter recipes, as well as flavor profiles for liqueurs/cordials and major alcohol call brands. You are also assigned to make flash cards for the majority of the material to help with memorization. You won't receive a "grade" for not doing it, but once you start working, having to still rely on the book will be your problem. 3) The two week course is the ideal class. I can't imagine taking a shorter section because you just won't have enough time to process and internalize the material. 4) Everyone is taught TECHNIQUE first, recipes second. Emphasis on free pour technique and accurate counting. Also, you will get tested on ingredients and measurements for dozens of different drinks. 5) If you bust your hump memorizing the recipes and techniques, as well as having a practice setup at home, by the end of the course you could definitely outperform some of the dive-bar bartenders out there. That confidence is worth the price of the course (you will make it back after you start working anyway). CONS: 1) The class was scheduled from 9am-1pm, but most days we didn't start until 9:30/10 and left around noon. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it did start to feel like a rip-off. The tuition was ~$500 for 40 hours, but this schedule knocked it down to about 25. Plus, Chris didn't feel like teaching on the 4th of July, so my class was cut down by almost half (21hrs). 2) This isn't really the schools fault, but most of the other students were generally unresponsive to Chris' questions/prompts/conversations etc. This can really wear down anyone in the class trying to do well. Even basic questions like "what are three types of red wine?" got awkwardly dragged out because no one wanted to talk. How do you expect to make good tips as a bartender if you fail to hold a simple interaction? 3) The book used for the course needs to be seriously updated. A good chunk of the class some days was focused on "fixing" and adding recipes. I understand taking notes, but now more instruction time is being eaten into over something that can be easily solved. 3) This was my biggest problem with the school - hire a f'ing secretary! Chris is the only real employee of ABC, which means he does all of the scheduling, payments, teaching, promotion, etc. Why is this important? Because he only gave us a 2-hour window on fridays to call him for help finding a job. Consequently, the two weeks following my graduation, Chris was on vacation and didn't respond once to any of my calls or texts. I couldn't tell you how many places I had gone to and applied, only to receive no response, and to not get any help from him made it even worse. Eventually, the only opportunity I had was for a job an hour away, and I took it, but I wonder what could have been if Chris had actually stepped in, or had another instructor substitute for this role. ------------ My advice, feel free to take this class if you are already a bar back or a bartender looking to sharpen your skills or get promoted. It's legit. but DO NOT consider ABC if you are seriously looking for job leads. read more

don't get your hopes up, they directly advertise they have job assistance, but when I come to the completion of the program, the instructor just leaves you with nothing, no leads just says good luck searching on indeed. don't get your hopes up about the job assistance read more

I had an uncomfortable experience in April where the teacher Chris made comments about going on dates with me and was commenting on my character in the middle of the class in front of other studies. super weird & unprofessional. read more

Hands on, lots of information and a great teacher! :-) thank you Chris for your service!

This class was fun and I came out learning more then when I went in. Chris gives you the history and funny stories to remember drinks. The man takes the class very seriously which is how it should be. Bartending may be fun but it is also a job. Chris is fun and games but when it comes to your learning it's not a joke to him. I really liked the class and it was worth the time and money. read more

Chris is a super cool Instructor keeps you on your toes and keeps the class interactive. Makes it feel like a true bar experience while learning as you go. Picked up skills tricks and knowledge that I've never directly noticed in a bar setting. Highly Recommend taking the course here with Chris, he will keep you laughing while learning what a bar setting can consist of. read more

Chris is very rude towards anyone that speaks English as their second language. Made fun of the language barrier by pretending not to understood a word. You can't ask him questions or repeat what he was saying without him getting frustrated. I wouldn't recommend this course for anyone that wants to learn more about mixing drinks. Very unprofessional and rude towards students. read more

If you feel like spending 500 for basic bartending knowledge, I would recommend you to take the morning classes, for which the instructor seems to be on a better mood. Be aware that every drink is a simulation, so you won't be able to taste or see the actual drink. From my experience, I would not recommend the course. read more

I wanted to leave my testimony that I had at this school on my first day of class. I was so happy to start my class. 30 minutes later my worst nightmare started, the teacher discriminated against me because I was from another country speaking my language badly. class saying he didn't understand my English because I had a strong accent. When I signed with him on the website it says that he has patience with students from another country and that he will always be welcome and that's why I chose the school. I experienced discrimination for having a strong accent, I asked questions because it was my first day of class, and as a student it was my right to ask questions and the teacher would answer. By right He had to answer me because I was paying for it. They charge a lot for a license of just one week, and you don't want to be patient in teaching? I want to leave my testimony so that other people don't go through what I went through. I cried all day because this man tried to destroy one of my dreams... This teacher, who is said to be a good professional, is rubbish. I don't indicate the school, and besides that the drinks aren't real and he doesn't write, he just talks. read more

I attended their 2 Week Course in March. The classroom is small but it mimics exactly how a bar would be set up and you don't need much for that and it helps the instructor be more effective anyway. Chris is the Director and Instructor for the classes and he was pretty awesome. He made the class fun and informative and his focus is on the students effectively getting what they need and paid for in the short time he has with them. Within the 2 week period, I went from knowing little to nill to now knowing the ins and outs of how a bar should be ran, how to read drink recipes/break down recipe names quick and easily, how to properly serve the drinks, etc by the time you leave that class, you'll be able to easily jump behind that bar yourself so well it may ruin your favorite bar depending on how well their bartender does their job lol These classes are well worth the money you pay for them. It's a very fun, interactive class and Chris works hard to make sure you know what you're doing and talking about by the end of it. Plus, they offer you job leads if you need them as well. There is a test daily and you do have to study but as long as you do, you'll be fine. I know what at least one of the other reviews said but do not let the t-shirt and jeans fool you. Chris has a wealth of knowledge and skill to pass to you and he is highly-effective. Also, the building comes off a little sketchy but it's in Downtown Orlando. The CVS and Fashion Square Mall down the road look sketchy, everything looks sketchy downtown. The sign's posted outside the building, just go in and check it out. You won't be disappointed. My only thing I would give a head's-up with is Aaron. He's nice for the most part and does his job but he does come off as a bit scatterbrained and overwhelmed at times. Just work with it and you should be fine though. read more

Chris is awesome! He made the class fun and he had great tips on learning! If you're interested in taking a bartending course, this is the one to sign up for! Thanks Chris! read more

As a recent graduate (April-2016) of ABC Bartending School/Orlando, I am compelled to express the level of knowledgeable satisfaction I've received during the two week course. The curriculum is hands down - hands on "FUN", simply because Chris made it fun with his impeccable sense of humor as well as his ability to demonstrate by way of infectious role-play. Chris is not just a bartending instructor. He is an artist. If you've been procrastinating about taking this course , STOP... GO SIGN UP TODAY! In closing, I must thankfully acknowledge Mr. Tony Sylvester himself. Because without him, most of us may not have had the opportunity to indulge in this wealthy plethora of wisdom in the infinite world of cocktails. Respectfully, Jeanine* read more

Chris was an awesome instructor! He explained everything clearly and thoroughly while also having fun with it! He really made everyone comfortable with the tools and recipes. read more

Chris is a dick but he definitely knows what he's doing and talking about. I came into this class with zero experience whatsoever, I couldn't even name more than one brand of tequila but after taking ABC's week long bartending course I actually feel really confident behind the bar. The Thursday night of the class I went to a local club and realized during the week I had gained the same amount of skills as some of the bartenders that worked there! Extremely great class. The one week class is intense and very time consuming but I highly recommend it if you're serious about learning the art of bartending! read more

Chris was a great instructor. I knew almost nothing about bartending-- from drinks to types of alcohol. I took the two week course which was flexible with my schedule and I appreciate how much I learned within that time. read more

I decided that I didn't want anything to do with this school after I checked it out. The school is located in an old building between a bunch of old Chinese stores. There are no signs indicating that this place even exist. On the glass door for the building there is the school's name and address along with another business's information. Unless you are looking for it you won't probably won't notice it. The inside of the building looked like an empty office building. After going up a flight of stairs There is a door with crooked letters indicating the school's name. So I opened the door and walked inside. The inside was dark, dreary and dated. This guy name Chris who appeared to run the school came out of an office He was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans. He personality seemed abrupt. There was a room to the side that had a bar set up. There was only one student there. The school and the one staff member that I came in contact with did not look professional. I know that if I was looking to hire bartenders I wouldn't trust the training someone received from this school based on their appearances. Unless, someone is just looking to get a job at a trashy dive bar I trust the professionalism that they are trying to teach. read more

I would highly recommend abc bartending school on mills to anyone whose interested in learning how to bartend, how to free pour correctly and constantly every time, and if you enjoy having fun while doing so. Chris is a great instructor with a good scenes of humor and a wealth of knowledge in the business. read more

I had to go through the hassle of finding this dumb app and downloading it all over again just so I could give this wonderful teacher the best review I could manage. If you're thinking about bartending, you have to remember that where you begin is what your career leans on the most. Chris is fun and so influential, and makes sure that your success is his only goal. For the bit of price you pay, it's almost a steal considering everything you're learning- both industry experience and life lessons included. You can choose how long your course is, and after you graduate you can be placed in a job program that is seriously helpful finding "your place" in life! read more

I have to admit, when I first walked in the school to enroll.. I thought it looked a little strange, there was only the instructor and it was just completely silent. Regardless I had enrolled in the 2 week program. On my first day to start class, all my fears.. and nerves vanished. The music was going, the instructor Chris, had introduced us and started us off with a funny joke.. which made the atmosphere light and friendly. From that moment on, I loved everything about the class and school; I never wanted it to end. The way he taught things was really a neat way to remember and was fun on top of it all. My class had about 7 of us, some had never poured a drink in their life, while some others were much more advanced. By the end of the 2 weeks, none of that mattered. We all did awesome and never once did he disencourage anybody, make fun of or harp on anyone who was struggling. He made everyone feel very comfortable and was really there to help you learn the trade. Needless to say, I had morning classes and i'm probably the worst morning person of all time. With that being said, everyday I walked into class with a smile on because I knew that not only was I going to be in a fun environment, but I was also going to be taught by one of the best to awesome bartender. Props to this school, and props to Chris. Don't change a thing...the way you teach, the way you make the atmosphere for everyone, and the way you make jokes while teaching drinks..it is an awesome way for learning and making everyone feel comfortable and confident in your class. Thank you for the WONDERFUL experience, and teaching me to be the best. read more

Chris is an incredible bartending instructor. He's engaging, entertaining, and an easy-to-follow-and-understand perfectionist. He takes a great deal of pride in the school's well-equipped training bar, and in the drinks he demonstrates - establishing a standard that all students should make an effort to attain. Chris provides a tremendous amount of value in this course, making it more than worth the cost, many times over. read more

The instructer ( Chris) knows his shit. Super chill and relaxed environment. 80% hands on & 20% bookwork. He can turn anyone into a bartender that is willing to put the work in. read more

Great school, learned a variety of information ranging from customer service, bar ettiquete and as well as a variety of drinks. Chris is very knowledgable and does a great job going into detail on the material being covered. Well worth the money read more

Great and funny teacher. It goes quick, but it's an experience filled with a lot of information. I definetly believe I am ready to enter the bartending workforce. read more

I came into this school not knowing much about alcohol. I knew how to order a Captain and Coke but that was it. I walked up to the building and was kind of concern as I saw the previous Yelp comment. However once you go upstairs into ABC school it's just like a Full Bar with two catering bars. I took the one week class which was intense but you really got to be prepared as I made over a 100 drinks a day and had to find ways to remember them. I would suggest the two week course as it helps you understand each concept of your drinks better. The instructor (Chris) was awesome as he was very knowledgable and helpful. He would help myself and other students find ways to make the drinks faster. He would also teach us how to make other drinks not listed in our books to better prepared us in our future bartending jobs. If you feel like you want to learn more about bartending I would suggest you come by and watch Chris in action teaching the students. Also during the class ask him about his Hawaii a punch drink... It's an awesome drink! read more

See all

Great experience, Chris our instructor was a wealth of knowledge. He kept the class fun and interesting . Would highly recommend !

If you pay attention to the directions Chris (the instructor) gives you on how to get to the class you will find it with no problem. The class is fun, up to beat, and most of all very informative. You can depend on this schooling to obtain the information you need to become a great bartender. In my personal opinion I suggest that you study every night and note cards are helpful also. Even though it is a fun class there is tons of information you learn and have to remember. Over all, it is a comfortable enjoyable learning environment. I would suggest ABC bartending to anyone. read more

If there were zero stars possible, that is what I would choose. Let me start off by saying, I was super excited to see that this school popped up on my daily Groupon's deals giving me a nice 60% off of the tuition... I was very eager to get started on my new career. So, even after finding this place in what I would call "the butt-hole" of Orlando... And seeing the structure of the building this school is located in... I was still willing to look thru all of that. Here is my story... I purchased my groupon deal right away ($199 for the 35 hours of instruction). I called the next day to schedule my enrollment appointment with a man by the name of Kevin I believe. He had asked me to bring my social security card and drivers license as well as the groupon. I arrived at my scheduled time to the school and walked into this shady building... Grin on my face and ready to get excited about my future... Only to be greeted by an even shadier looking man who seemed disgruntled at my very existence. His name was Chris. He had no idea about my appointment and claims that "sometimes" he doesn't get his messages. All I'm thinking at this point is, why is there absolutely NO ONE here except this guy? They have classes daily and nightly... Yet no one was there. Moving on... When he asked me if I had 2 copies of my DL, SS Card and Groupon Voucher... I apologized for forgetting the voucher print out at work and I wasn't aware they needed 2 xerox copies of my DL and SS Card (which is dis-concerning in itself... Why do they need your SSN?) So, I politely ask him if they have a copier of some sort and he informs me that they do, but that I am not allowed to use it and that I need to walk down the street to Kinko's. I'm sorry, but this is a school that doesn't allow you to use their copy machine to make copies of your information for THEIR records? Odd... So, I calmly stand up and tell him I am going to think about enrolling some more because I was a bit disappointed in his attitude. This was a mistake. He then became even more rude which I didn't think was possible... By saying this to me: "From the moment you walked in the door you haven't given me anything we asked for". I didn't understand what he was so upset about or why he thought being so absolutely unwelcoming to me would make me want to ever come back. He refused to provide me with the enrollment paperwork without xerox copies of my personal information which was very alarming. I felt the entire time that he was only interested in obtaining my information, I believe this place is doing some "side" business or possible even selling people's identities. I am very saddened by this establishment and will now proceed with caution to any other Bartending school I look in to. It was the most ridiculous attempt at a "school" that I've ever seen in my life, and I was completely disappointed by the behavior of their staff. Above all, as soon as walking in he wanted to get straight to business. Didn't offer me a walk around the school... Didn't ask about my intentions or why I was joining... NOTHING nice about the experience at all. Here is the summary: Terrible location Horrible attitude/customer service - the worst I've ever experienced The place reeked of cigarettes NO one else was there, which was odd for a week night Completely unorganized Website is very misleading If I were the owner, Mr. Tony Sylvester... I would be ashamed of this place. This is ORLANDO, one of the biggest when it comes to hospitality business... Put a little more effort into the presentation of your school. First impressions are vital, this place was a big FAIL. read more