What is Flair??

The concept of flair bartending, was also known as Olympic Bar tending. Developed at the end of the 70th beginning of the 80th the century in the USA, it was used to offer customers an additional attraction in bars and clubs to ensure  they were not only offered delicious drinks, but also a great show.

The term 'Flair bartending' defines an artistic way to present work at the bar, making it  both entertaining and enjoyable for customers. Therefore bottles and other bar equipment is juggled and drinks are prepared in an artistic fashion.

Jerry "The Professor" Thomas
Is known as the inventor of Flair bartending.


Jeremiah (Jerry) P. Thomas (1830 - 1885) used a special technique to create his signature drink - Blue Blazer,  where he poured flaming Whiskey from one glass into another.

In Europe Flairbartending became famous mostly due to the film 'Cocktail' starring Tom Cruise.
For the juggling acts Bryan Brown and Tom Cruise were trained by J. B. Bandy who also designed the teaching videos for Flair bartending as well as for bar and restaurant chain T.G.I (God thanks it´s) Friday´s. One of the first places in America to introduce Flair bartending into the concept of their chain and also one of the very first representatives in Flair bartending.

Tom Cruise in the movie "Cocktail" from 1988

Besides behind the bar, bartenders like to spice up there work with flair performances at several Flair competitions that have developed over the years. These competitions are held in accordance to rules devised by different associations. The most famous possibly - the Flairbartenders Association (FBA), founded in 1997 and the World Flair Association (WFA) . Nowdays the biggest network for international Flair bartending.