My journey as a bartender started completely by chance in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. At the time, I was working as a server at a local restaurant when, out of the blue, the owners asked me to open the next day as the bartender. Naturally, I said yes—I’ve always been the type to jump at an opportunity to pick up extra shifts. But I was honest with them: I had zero bartending experience. They reassured me, saying all I had to do was set up the bar, and if I got stuck, there was a cheat sheet behind the bar with all the cocktail recipes.
The next morning, I showed up and did my best to set up the bar. To my surprise—and the owners’—the restaurant was packed that day. I had no idea what I was doing. I was putting mojitos in rocks glasses, piña coladas in margarita glasses—you name it. It was chaotic, but something clicked for me. That day sparked a fire inside me, even if I didn’t realize it fully at the time.
Fast forward a few years, I had moved to New Jersey and was helping out with my wife’s uncle’s private waiter business. During a baby shower event, they needed a bartender at the last minute. With only two of us working the event, I volunteered to step up. I figured I had some bartending experience, even if it was a bit rusty. That night was a turning point. It reminded me of how much I loved being behind the bar.
After that event, I decided to take bartending seriously. I signed up for a bartending course to refresh my skills and build a solid foundation. Soon after, I received a private message on Facebook about an opening at a new Mexican restaurant in Wallington, NJ. I went for the interview, got the job, and the rest is history. I started as a server but quickly transitioned to the bar, where I built a loyal following of regulars.
Then COVID-19 hit. It was a challenging time, but we made it work with outdoor dining. During that period, I used the connections I had built at the restaurant to launch my own private bartending business. At first, I did a few free parties to get the word out, but soon, business started to take off.
In 2023, a friend of mine who owns a Mexican restaurant reached out to me. He was opening his third location in Fort Lee and needed help during the launch week. I told him I’d do one better—I’d be his head bartender. Since then, I’ve spent the past year and a half building something amazing in Fort Lee. I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible brands and meet some amazing people along the way.
Looking back, I never imagined that saying “yes” to a random bartending shift in Riverdale would lead me here. Bartending has become more than a job for me—it’s a passion. Whether I’m crafting a cocktail, running a private event, or connecting with guests, I’m always reminded why I love this industry.
You can find Jose Cordeo bartending at any of these three great bars and restuarants:
El Asadero Mexican Grill (Mondays)
2052 Hudson Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Maize Cocina & Cocktails (main place throughout the week)
301 N Ave W, Westfield, NJ 07090
Caldera at Vida (Saturdays)
12 Armory St, Englewood NJ 07631
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