Kristin Amron is the co-founder of the Gainesville Hospitality Industry Guild. As the bar manager at Dragonfly Sushi & Sake for 10 years, she oversaw the bar program and staff to bring contemporary cocktails and excellent service to the community.
Amron was named a USBG World Class sponsored by Diageo Top 10 Bartender for the South four times and a Top 15 Bartender in the Nation in 2022. Amron plans to start her own business, MixMaven Mobile Bartending in Greater Gainesville.
I fell in love with Greater Gainesville the moment I first drove through this area. I was born and raised in Miami, so I appreciated the small town feel with the big city vibes.
I moved here 20 years ago to attend Santa Fe College and never looked back. After transferring to the University of Florida, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in event management. I chose to stay because I loved Greater Gainesville’s charm. I knew I wanted to help grow the food and beverage scene here.
Living in Greater Gainesville has given me the opportunity to work for an amazing company, Dragonfly Sushi & Sake. I was able to push my bartending and hospitality skills to compete nationally.
The support of the Greater Gainesville hospitality industry gave me the confidence I needed to push myself to be my best. We all look out for each other and help each other succeed. I admire the strong sense of community here.
In my free time, I enjoy visiting locally owned bars and restaurants in Greater Gainesville. We have a lot of incredibly talented bartenders and chefs that deserve our attention. I encourage everyone to be open-minded and try new things around the city that you may not get to experience anywhere else.
Favorite Restaurant: Dragonfly Sushi & Sake
Favorite Weekend Activity: Walking her dog through downtown Gainesville
By Jennifer Kennedy.