I was reading through some of the info on the various pages, and am extremely interested in obtaining employment in AC.

I read that it is impossible to obtain employment as a bartender in Belize, but I was wondering if you can bring a different aspect of bartending (being exhibition style... flipping bottles etc...) would I have a better chance of obtaining employment? Right now I run a flair bartending school here in Canada, and bartend for a few different establishments.

If anyone has any info/opinions regarding this, I would love to hear it... I plan on heading out to the island in a couple weeks to see what I can do.

Unless it's changed recently, bartending is one of those jobs in Belize for which work permits for non-nationals are not issued. An exception would be if you owned the business.

--Lan Sluder

Doubtful if you could get a work permit to actually tend bar, but you might be able to work out an arrangement to teach your skills to Belizean bar tenders. Check with owner/managers of larger bars in San Pedro Town.

You would not be able to get a work permit as far as I know. But you can teach a few bar flair courses. I can get you set up to do so in Corozal. You can use my bar for the course free of charge. You could get the local bartenders and charge a fee. Maybe 1 day a week for X weeks. I could give you a hand getting the project going. My bartender already do a bit of flair and have their flair bottles & manual ready.
It is an idea to think about.
Check my web site at http://www.corozal.info

My friend is a Flair instructor and judge. He offered to teach a course at Caribe Island in exchange for his room and board. When we checked with the labour dept, we were told that it is illegal to do it behind the bar of an establishment. It would also be illegal to charge for a class. However, if you would like to volunteer to teach a class that was held outside of a bar, then you should be able to do it.
I would love to see some bartenders throwing rum bottles!!!!

it's considered illegal?

So, if I wanted to come down to teach a course for a resort... would I not be able to arrange so I would work bar a few nights per week and then train on the others? Or would I not be allowed behind the bar at all?

ibanole: who is it? I know a lot of the people from North America that compete/judge.

Corozal Bay Inn: I'm definitely interested. Please leave me an e-mail address or contact me @ brandon@flairtenders.com . I'm hoping to make a quick trip to Belize in the next couple of weeks to check out my options.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

You would need a work permit to work as a bartender AT ALL. Violation can get the bar owner a heavy fine, you a heavy fine and deportation.

I think I'm coming across the wrong way... I have absolutely no intentions in working illegally. What I want to do is hopefully bring this style of bartending to increase business and show tourists a better time.

I would hope to be able to teach the current bartenders around the island, but I also want to work bar. It's a style of life that I'm just not ready to give up... it's way too much fun.

I don't think your commin off wrong at all brandon, folks are just tellin ya like it is...
HOWEVER, I think your talent would be a cool thing to see around the Island and Belize as a whole!

I have a question though, who is the dude at Cannibals? I never saw him till Jan and he is tending bar, schmoozin big time, and pretty much runnin the place.
Did he hide Jan in a closet? Did HE "buy" pretty recently?

I sure miss the old look of Cannibals...

There was a guy in CC last year (I think he was on AC first) that did the same and taught some bartending courses - probably through the Tourism Board. I don't know the details but I do know that he could flip a mean one barrel or was it two one barrels...anyway, it was my for bday last June!

Brandon,
Steve Swenson from Hard Rock, Orlando (formerly from Dallas, Vegas and Buffalo). I was in Vegas last year when they were prepping for a big competition. It was amazing! He is actually on the team that is heading to BZ soon.
Apparently HR has gotten the go-ahead to build at the Tourist Village and they are scouting locations.
We have been friends for forever and I wanted him to come and work with our bartenders at Caribe Island. We were STERNLY warned.
One avenue you may want to check out... the AC Chamber of Commerce has sponsored some Customer Service classes.... maybe this would be something they would like to do... I'm sure they could get you the clearance you would need if it can be done.
And just FYI, we were told that the only way you can be a bartender and be non-Belizean is to own the bar, plus have your residency (which I do not have). I can't even answer the phones.
But good luck... I would love to see some great flair in AC!!

Can you imagine MARGIE & ADA flipping bottles ?????

When I was in AC in late Feb., there was supposed to be some guy come along and bartend with flair at Fidos one night. He didn't show. I dunno what happened there. Anyone?

Is CC Caye Caulker? If so, I know who it is... first name is Matt if I'm not mistaken. We just got back from a comp in Vegas (Legends of Bartending)... I met him there.

Hard Rock (the real one) at the Tourist Village? What a disaster that would be!

--Lan Sluder

Lan,
I happen to agree, but they have spent a good bit of money with the BZ government to get the rights to go in there.
I think it's still 3-4 years out, but who knows... they sent a team in November, but they didn't scout locations. Apparently, they have to be within a certain distance from the Tourist Village if they aren't "IN" the tourist village.
Cheerz,
Vicki

Like a McDonald's in the Zocalo of Oaxaca City The locals managed to demolish that idea.

Sad to say I saw a "Subway" sign in a new shop in Belize city last week. I heard it was not part of the chain but the sign definitley looked the same as the US logo. Store wasn't opened yet.

Hi Barb,
I'm pretty sure it's not the chain. My friends have the Subways in Ontario and tried to get rights to BZ. They were turned down by the BZ government. So they have instead gone to Costa Rica.
Vicki

Yes, Brandon, CC is Caye Caulker and yes, Matt is the guy.

Yes, Brandon, CC is Caye Caulker and yes, Matt is the guy.