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West LA College
Orange Coast College
East LA College
Santa Ana College
Do everything you can to help people have a good time. Make them feel special. Chat with them if they want to talk,
pay compliments, and remember their favorite drinks. Smile as much as possible.
Look clean and presentable. Good hygiene and well-kept nails and hair are important whenever handling things that
people put in their mouth. Keep your hands and drink glasses clean, and pick up glasses at the stem or bottom so
you don't touch where people will drink from.
Keep your bar area neat and clean. Pick up trash from the floor. Douse a rag with club soda to help with cleaning.
Keep your bar organized. If you know you're going to be using a lot of something-like limes, triple sec or
glasses-keep the item close by. Have your bottles aligned, with spouts on, ready to go.
Don't serve alcohol to people who are obviously intoxicated. In a bar setting, this is illegal. At a private party, you
have the responsibility to take care of your guests.
pay compliments, and remember their favorite drinks. Smile as much as possible.
Look clean and presentable. Good hygiene and well-kept nails and hair are important whenever handling things that
people put in their mouth. Keep your hands and drink glasses clean, and pick up glasses at the stem or bottom so
you don't touch where people will drink from.
Keep your bar area neat and clean. Pick up trash from the floor. Douse a rag with club soda to help with cleaning.
Keep your bar organized. If you know you're going to be using a lot of something-like limes, triple sec or
glasses-keep the item close by. Have your bottles aligned, with spouts on, ready to go.
Don't serve alcohol to people who are obviously intoxicated. In a bar setting, this is illegal. At a private party, you
have the responsibility to take care of your guests.
| HITTIN' THE BOOKS, NOT THE BOOZE |
A bartending class emphasizes the duties and responsibilities of the job.
BY JESSICA PERALTA
BY JESSICA PERALTA
True, there's plenty of fun to be had bartending, but it's still a job - and sometimes a very stressful one.
That's one of the many lessons we learned from bartender Kellie Nicholson through her two-day class, "Bartending
the Easy Way," which we took at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa (bartendingtheeasyway.com)
With 25 years' experience bartending in restaurants, bars and clubs, Nicholson now works private events and offers
consulting services to bars and restaurants.
Her class was mostly in lecture format for two hours per night, with no actual alcohol mixing involved. We did have
homework, though: memorizing drink recipes.
Here are some of the basics we learned in Nicholson's class. They may serve as useful tips for your next party.
That's one of the many lessons we learned from bartender Kellie Nicholson through her two-day class, "Bartending
the Easy Way," which we took at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa (bartendingtheeasyway.com)
With 25 years' experience bartending in restaurants, bars and clubs, Nicholson now works private events and offers
consulting services to bars and restaurants.
Her class was mostly in lecture format for two hours per night, with no actual alcohol mixing involved. We did have
homework, though: memorizing drink recipes.
Here are some of the basics we learned in Nicholson's class. They may serve as useful tips for your next party.
We stayed after school to ask Kellie Nicholson more questions.
BY JESSICA PERALTA
BY JESSICA PERALTA
The price of the drink is for the
alcohol. If you want more alcohol,
pay for it and buy a double. If you
want good service, then tip
generously.
alcohol. If you want more alcohol,
pay for it and buy a double. If you
want good service, then tip
generously.
| might want to bartend their own party? |
Nicholson: Have your money in
your hand and tip properly!
When I'm slammed, I always go to
the people with money in their
hands, so I don't have to wait for
them to pay. It's more of a courtesy
to the other customers. Also, many
people erroneously think that the
tip is for the alcohol, but it's for the
service.
your hand and tip properly!
When I'm slammed, I always go to
the people with money in their
hands, so I don't have to wait for
them to pay. It's more of a courtesy
to the other customers. Also, many
people erroneously think that the
tip is for the alcohol, but it's for the
service.
Nicholson: Knowing how to make
everyone feel special, preparing
ahead of time and staying organized.
everyone feel special, preparing
ahead of time and staying organized.
Nicholson: Buy a jigger to
measure the alcohol- use it -and
buy a book of recipes to use.
Create a theme, like flavored
martinis or margaritas, to keep it
simple. Have everything you need
out on a counter and put pour
spouts in the bottles. Don't forget
lots of ice.
measure the alcohol- use it -and
buy a book of recipes to use.
Create a theme, like flavored
martinis or margaritas, to keep it
simple. Have everything you need
out on a counter and put pour
spouts in the bottles. Don't forget
lots of ice.
| SqueezeOC: What are the key ingredients to become a successful bartender? |
| SqOC: What are common mistakes bartenders make? |
Nicholson: The biggest mistake
bartenders make is giving away the
alcohol or overpouring. As I teach
in my classes, the purpose of the
business is to sell alcohol. It is a
business, not a party at your house.
bartenders make is giving away the
alcohol or overpouring. As I teach
in my classes, the purpose of the
business is to sell alcohol. It is a
business, not a party at your house.
| SqOC: General tips for readers who |
Nicholson: Mojitos are difficult
because they require the muddling
of mint and other ingredients.
Anything frozen is a pain because
they are time-consuming drinks to
make.
Martinis need to be the exact
amount to fill the glass 3/4 full,
which is a challenge, especially
since there are so many different
recipes now.
Layered shots are also a pain just
because they slow everything
down. You have to get a spoon
and pour each layer slowly.
because they require the muddling
of mint and other ingredients.
Anything frozen is a pain because
they are time-consuming drinks to
make.
Martinis need to be the exact
amount to fill the glass 3/4 full,
which is a challenge, especially
since there are so many different
recipes now.
Layered shots are also a pain just
because they slow everything
down. You have to get a spoon
and pour each layer slowly.
| SqOC: What are some difficult drinks to make? |
GETTIN' JIGGER WITH IT
BY JESSICA PERALTA
At most social events, there are a select few people who everyone flocks to.
They become even more popular, coveted, and loved as the night wears on. And by night's end, they'll be among
the last left standing.
Yep, it's the bartenders.
There's just something about these servers that connotes fun, skill, and incredible cool. And it isn't just because
they know where to find the booze.
Bartending requires lots of quick thinking and plenty of perky personality.
"A good bartender is someone who can multi-task and remains calm under pressure," said Kellie Nicholson, a
bartender for 25 years and instructor of a two-day bartending class, "Bartending the Easy Way," at Orange
Coast College in Costa Mesa and at Santa Ana College.
"Contrary to what some may think, bartending is not for dummies. The job requires many skills, such as a great
memory, speed, endurance, patience, math and computer skills, efficiency and of course, all with a smile on your
face."
A couple of us at SqueezeOC challenged ourselves to step behind the bar for a change. We started by taking
Nicholson's class, and then took a stab at tending bar at several different Orange County venues-Sutra Lounge
nightclub and Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, Beachfire restaurant in Ladera Ranch, and a Share Our Selves charity
event in Costa Mesa.
We worked side by side with professional bartenders, serving drinks, chatting up customers, and adjusting to the
various environments.What we learned during our bartending experiences may help you in organizing your next
social gathering -or at least help you reach a better understanding of the people working hard to make sure you
have a good time.
At most social events, there are a select few people who everyone flocks to.
They become even more popular, coveted, and loved as the night wears on. And by night's end, they'll be among
the last left standing.
Yep, it's the bartenders.
There's just something about these servers that connotes fun, skill, and incredible cool. And it isn't just because
they know where to find the booze.
Bartending requires lots of quick thinking and plenty of perky personality.
"A good bartender is someone who can multi-task and remains calm under pressure," said Kellie Nicholson, a
bartender for 25 years and instructor of a two-day bartending class, "Bartending the Easy Way," at Orange
Coast College in Costa Mesa and at Santa Ana College.
"Contrary to what some may think, bartending is not for dummies. The job requires many skills, such as a great
memory, speed, endurance, patience, math and computer skills, efficiency and of course, all with a smile on your
face."
A couple of us at SqueezeOC challenged ourselves to step behind the bar for a change. We started by taking
Nicholson's class, and then took a stab at tending bar at several different Orange County venues-Sutra Lounge
nightclub and Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, Beachfire restaurant in Ladera Ranch, and a Share Our Selves charity
event in Costa Mesa.
We worked side by side with professional bartenders, serving drinks, chatting up customers, and adjusting to the
various environments.What we learned during our bartending experiences may help you in organizing your next
social gathering -or at least help you reach a better understanding of the people working hard to make sure you
have a good time.
| YOU HAVE TO BE COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED TO BE A BARTENDER |
Cerritos College
LA Harbor College
Glendale College
LA Valley College
Santa Monica College
Rio Hondo College
College of the Canyons
Pasadena City College
Riverside Community College
El Camino College
LA City College
Palomar College
College of the Dessert
City College of San Francisco
JER Group (JER Online)-national online college courses
Pierce College
We got a lot of good information
from our bartending classes. But we
had more specific questions for
instructor Kellie Nicholson, 45, of
Sherman Oaks.
from our bartending classes. But we
had more specific questions for
instructor Kellie Nicholson, 45, of
Sherman Oaks.
San Joaquin Delta College
| Telephone: (818) 995-6971 E-Mail: information@bartendingtheeasyway.com |
ANOTHER ROUND OF TIPS
| SqOC: Any tips for bar customers to help them get good service and drinks? |