5 Tips for Successful Bartending with Mixologist Tony Arnone

An expert in cocktail craftsmanship with extensive whiskey knowledge, Tony Arnone has over a decade of bartending experience.

Arnone serves as the lead mixologist at The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. He leads whiskey tastings and crafts whiskey-based cocktails for the popular speakeasy. Starting as a flair bartender, Arnone has traveled the world, creating nearly 50 different cocktail menus in countries such as Thailand, China, and the Philippines.

Arnone’s journey in the beverage industry began over ten years ago at a chain restaurant in Missouri. Ironically, he fell into bartending by accident after taking a dishwashing job as a teenager. Working his way up to bartender, he discovered a passion for the craft.

“I had no idea at the time how much I would fall in love with the industry. That love led me to start competing in flair and mixology competitions worldwide, giving me recognition among hospitality groups and accredited mixologists. Eventually, it landed me in Las Vegas, where you can see me behind the bar at The Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails by Clique Hospitality.”

For Arnone, the most rewarding aspect of bartending is the people. Over the years, he has built relationships with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, allowing him to grow personally while enhancing others’ lives. He believes that creating a memorable experience for customers is essential. He advises new bartenders to work diligently and immerse themselves in every aspect of the craft and business to gain respect and success.

Arnone emphasizes the importance of customer interaction as a crucial skill for bartenders. He believes that bartenders should make customers feel part of the enjoyable time behind the bar. For those looking to pursue bartending as a lifelong career, Arnone offers five, very specific tips: “Follow your passion, profit will come; get comfortable with being uncomfortable; invest in comfortable, indestructible shoes; naps are not just for old people; and maintain a team mindset, as a bar is not a one-person operation.”

His charismatic personality and bartending expertise have led him to be featured on TV shows, but Arnone does not consider these appearances his greatest accolades.

“My greatest accomplishment is hearing my guests tell me: ‘This was the best experience we’ve ever had,’ and ‘This is our new favorite place to come.’ Moments like that are why I love this profession.”