The Art of
Flair bartending
Flair
bartending
The Art of
In 1988, a movie called Cocktail helped to kickstart a worldwide trend – thanks to Tom Cruise’s portrayal of a bartender.
The iconic scenes of the suave actor flipping bottles and spinning shakers introduced many to flair bartending, the art of performing fancy tricks while making fancy drinks.
Flair bartending can be traced back to American restaurant chain TGI Friday’s in the 1980s, where bartender John Bandy started experimenting with bar tools and tossed bar napkins like frisbees.
Fun fact: Bandy himself taught Tom Cruise how to flair for his role in Cocktail.
Flair bartending can be traced back to American restaurant chain TGI Friday’s in the 1980s, where bartender John Bandy started experimenting with bar tools and tossed bar napkins like frisbees.
Fun fact: Bandy himself taught Tom Cruise how to flair for his role in Cocktail.
In Singapore, four Filipino bartenders are helping shake up the bar scene with their deft skills – and entertaining us along the way.
In Singapore, four Filipino bartenders are helping shake up the bar scene with their deft skills – and entertaining us along the way.
On-trade Specialist,
William Grant & Sons Singapore
Shallum John, 31
Shallum John, 31
On-trade Specialist
William Grant & Sons
Singapore
On-trade Specialist,
William Grant &
Sons Singapore
Shallum John, 31
Shallum John, 31
On-trade Specialist
William Grant & Sons
Singapore
“I’ve been doing flair for over 13 years and I still find it fun. It’s a craft that improves from generation to generation.”
“I’ve been doing flair for over 13 years and I still find it fun. It’s a craft that improves from generation to generation.”
Flair bartending is often taught in hospitality schools, where beginners train using practice bottles made of plastic, before transitioning to real glass ones.
Bar Manager, Kafe Utu
joma rivera, 32
Joma Rivera, 32
Bar Manager, Kafe Utu
Bar Manager, Kafe Utu
joma rivera, 32
JOMA RIVERA, 32
Bar Manager, kafe Utu
"The first challenge was transitioning from practice bottles to real bottles because I was scared to break them. Thankfully, I haven’t had any major injuries – just some small cuts that didn’t take long to heal!"
It has now evolved into a highly skilled and competitive profession where “flairtenders” incorporate complex juggling routines and tricks into their performances – often in competition with each other.
It has now evolved into a highly skilled and competitive profession where “flairtenders” incorporate complex juggling routines and tricks into their performances – often in competition with each other.
Flair bartending competitions are like dance contests. Participants carefully select the music, choose their choreography and polish their routine. Quick thinking and precise coordination between eyes, hands, and feet are essential to pull it off.
Edu Zamora, 34
Head Bartender, Origin Bar
"I may not be the most technically gifted, but I prioritise entertaining my audience. I select soundtracks that allow everyone to relate and sing along, creating an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment."
Watching a skilled bartender juggle bottles and shakers while crafting cocktails can be both mesmerizing and thrilling. However, despite its popularity, there are still some misconceptions about bartenders who flair.
Despite its popularity, there are misconceptions about the craft. The most common one is that it's only about showmanship and not about making good drinks.
Despite its popularity, there are misconceptions about the craft. The most common one is that it's only about showmanship and not about making good drinks.
But there are actually 2 types of flair bartending: Exhibition flair is primarily for entertainment purposes, while working flair is when a bit of style is added to cocktail-making without slowing down the speed of service.
Bryan Bonifacio, 32
Bar Manager,
Employees Only Singapore
