There’s more to being a Bartender than simply making and serving great drinks. Seasoned bartenders understand that engaging customers involves more than conversation — it includes the captivating art of flair bartending, where mixology meets performance.
What Is Flair Bartending?
Flair bartending, also known as flairtending or extreme bartending, involves the artful manipulation of bar tools and liquor bottles to entertain guests while preparing drinks. This practice combines the skill of a mixologist with the theatrics of a performer, creating an unforgettable experience for patrons.
The earliest record of flair bartending was in the 1800s by Jerry Thomas. Jerry poured fiery streams of hot water and flaming whisky to create the Blue Blazer. This earned him the nickname “The Professor.”
Flair bartending gained widespread popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, notably through the influence of bartenders like Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail and Steve Schneider at New York’s legendary bar Employees Only.
Fun fact: Tom Cruise was trained by John Bandy, The Grandfather of Flair.
While it sounds simple on paper and looks easy for Tom Cruise in “Cocktail,” flair bartending takes a lot of practice to master.
Benefits of Flair Bartending
Mastering flair bartending not only differentiates you in the industry but also enhances your earning potential. Flair bartenders often command higher salaries and receive increased tips due to their unique skill set and the added entertainment value they provide to patrons. Beyond monetary benefits, it offers a rewarding sense of creativity and personal growth within the craft.
Bartending is considered an entry-level position in the hospitality workforce. Almost anyone can become a Bartender with a little bit of practice and knowledge.
By learning flair bartending you can make yourself stand out and progress to new heights in your bartending career.
How To Learn Flair Bartending
If you want to become a flair Bartender, you should anticipate going through a lot of trial and error. Here’s how you can get started:
Join communities
- Sign up for the World Flair Association (WFA) to connect with other flair Bartenders and earn your first WFA grade.
- Consider joining Tom Dyer’s Pro Flair Group, a platform offering monthly tutorials and live video calls.
- Explore Flair Flow, an online community offering practice rooms and networking opportunities.
Utilize learning resources
Next, watch a few videos that teach the flair bartending basics. Some notable flair Bartenders to follow are Alexander Shtifanov, Enrico Meloni, Román Zapata and Tom Dyer. All of these Bartenders have different styles, showcasing just how versatile flair bartending can be.
Platforms like FlairBartending.TV provide structured lessons tailored to beginners and advanced learners alike.
Watch and participate in competitions
You can also watch professional competitions like the Roadhouse World Flair and the Las Vegas World Championship to draw inspiration from the best Flair Bartenders in the world.
Start by joining local competitions and gradually progress to prestigious events like the Cocktail Art Challenge.
Invest in equipment
If you like what you see and you want to start flair bartending, you’ll need a few prop bottles and Boston shakers. Prop bottles are lighter and easier to work with, while Boston Shakers are simply sturdier.
Tips for Learning Flair Bartending
Now that you have practice equipment, here are a few tips that can help you improve as a flair Bartender.
1. Practice Makes Perfect
As mentioned, flair bartending takes a lot of practice. You can always learn new tricks, and you can always practice the old ones to perfect them.
Even if your routines are perfect at home, juggling bottles can be different and more stressful in front of your boss and a large crowd.
For that reason, start small. Don’t try to mimic what you see in flair competitions. Those people have years of experience and have spent thousands of hours practicing. Start by adding a little flair to your cocktail-making routine with a simple tin spin or ice toss.
2. Record and review your performances
Recording your practice can give you a different perspective. Even if you’re doing everything right, does it look cool? More importantly, do you look confident? Going through your previous performances and practice sessions can give you the answers to these questions so you know what you need to work on.
3. Join flair bartending communities
Joining a flair bartending community can be of great help. You’ll get to talk to other aspiring flair Bartenders as well as professionals who might offer help.
Tom Dyer has a Pro Flair Group that costs $8 a month to join. There, you can learn from one of the most legendary flair bartenders in the world. He does monthly video calls where you can learn new moves and improve your flair skills. Additionally, you can ask questions, get advice and network with other Pro Flair Members.
The World Flair Association also fosters a community of flair Bartenders. All you have to do is register and have your profile approved by an admin before you can start interacting with other members.
Another option would be Flair Flow. This online community offers over 50 “rooms” where you can practice working flair and exhibition flair. They can also help you gain followers and make a name for yourself in the flair bartending world.
4. Participate in flair bartending competitions
Participating in flair bartending competitions is the best way to make a name for yourself and improve your skills. If you’re confident in your abilities and want to test them out on a grand stage, consider joining a local competition.
Once you get past the local competition, you can consider joining competitions like the Cocktail Art Challenge 2024 in Florida. Competitions like this are ideal for proving yourself and networking with world-renowned flair Bartenders.
Why Become a Flair Bartender?
Working flair can be rewarding on both a professional and personal level. Flair Bartenders are highly respected and often well-paid. If you truly enjoy making great cocktails and you’re looking to broaden your skillset, taking up flair bartending might be the best way to grow your Bartending career.
For those joining flair bartending contests, these present an opportunity to get your competitive side out. You can compete with other flair Bartenders for national (or even global) recognition and create a personal brand for yourself along the way.
