Directed by Jason R. Garrett, the documentary Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending dives into the high-energy world of competitive flair bartending. The film follows three top-tier bartenders preparing for the Bartenders Shakedown in Florida, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, precision, and showmanship that define the sport, along with the economic realities of keeping the competition alive.
The subjects of Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending feature Colby Ashton, Lorenzo Garcia, and Lindsay Palumbo. Colby is known for his European flair style, incorporating complex grips and multiple object exchanges. Lorenzo, a former hockey player from Texas, approaches flair like a sport, practicing religiously and focusing on precision and performance. Lindsay is the only woman in the trio. Inspired by seeing Colby perform years ago, she brings theatricality and a musical rhythm to her routines and thrives on crowd energy. She also brings her experience as female competitors have struggled to truly break through in the male-dominated profession and aport.
The film also weaves in interviews with legends in the world of flair bartending, giving context to how the craft evolved from simple showmanship into a serious sport. The interviewees trace the roots back to bartender Jerry Thomas and the emergence of the term “mixologist.” The documentary discusses the mainstream exposure flair bartending got from the film Cocktail and how TGIF restaurants became a hub for flair training.
“…the high-energy world of competitive flair bartending.”
As the competition approaches, each bartender commits to grueling training routines. Colby practices in public parks while Lorenzo builds a setup in his garage, sometimes training for hours before working a full night shift. Injuries are common, but so is the drive to perfect their routines. The competition itself tests both flair and mixology, requiring contestants to entertain while also crafting high-quality cocktails. Beneath the spectacle lies a deeper story of personal growth, changing industry dynamics, and the physical and emotional toll of performing at the highest level.
Some of the most compelling moments in Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending come from discussions about how the sport has evolved. At its core, every sport is a business. It ebbs and flows between focusing on the artistry of flair bartending and the economics of running the sport. Over time, the number of rules has grown almost oppressive. Competitors must also consider that in all the “shows,” they still mix actual drinks. Audiences have dwindled dramatically since Cocktail was in theaters. Many organizers must resort to gimmicks to draw an audience. One example involves requiring competitors to have a significant social media presence.
Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending is the story of a competition that took off thanks to a movie. It’s similar to how Rounders created a boom for Texas Hold ‘Em and this captures the theatrics and artistry of flair bartending while giving us insights into what it takes to be good and what the next level of bartending must cross to compete in competitions. Of course, we’re mostly here to be captivated by the best flair bartending in the world (mostly America) has to offer.
For more information, visit the Shaken & Stirred: The Story of Flair Bartending official website.
"…mostly here to be captivated..."
