BAR® – Who We Are
Partners & Faculty

Duane Sylvestre

Duane Sylvestre is armed with 25+ years of beverage hospitality experience, but if you ask, he’ll tell you he’s been doing “this” since he was two years old. He believes that his purpose is to both teach and entertain and to that end has been in that role since he can remember. He has an insatiable desire to learn and teach and believes that each is as important as the other. He believes that “raising the tide” for his industry peers benefits the entire food, beverage, and hospitality community. We couldn’t agree more which is why he fits in perfectly on our faculty!

Prior to joining The @compariofficial Group, Sylvestre served as @USBG DC Chapter President. The DC native bartended in and around the nation’s capital. In his last role he led the award winning beverage program at Micheal Mina’s @bourbonsteakdc located in the Four Seasons Hotel. Aside from fine dining and specialty “craft” cocktails, Sylvestre has crafted beverages in and for nightclubs, high volume restaurant chains, banquet caterers and local bars.

Sylvestre’s creative concoctions have been recognized by many notable publications including @dcmagazine, @washingtonpost (and express), @wineenthusiast, @GQ, @gardenandgun, @washingtonianmag, @washingtonlife, @ebonymagazine, Oprah.com, and many more. In addition, his drinks have won numerous local and national competitions and more importantly delighted thousands of guests and friends.

In a constant pursuit of education, Sylvestre has successfully navigated the certified level for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Advanced Spirits Professional of the USBG, and @bar5_day® “Ready”. He is a Certified Specialist of Spirits from the @societyofwineeducators, and holds certificates for individual spirit studies for Brandy, Rum, Tequila, and Gin. He shares his experience in classrooms and bars across the country, presenting for the Museum of the American Cocktail, @Tales_of_the_Cocktail, PDXCW, Whiskey in the Winter, Cochon 555, and of course all things Campari.

An active member of the beverage community both locally and nationally, Sylvestre is driven by that sense of community. He is as happy talking about all things beverage industry related as he is to prepare you a beverage that suits your mood.