Toronto Flair Bartending League

On the heels of a very successful TFL#2, the promoters decided to host TFL#3 just two short weeks later, on September 14.

The reason behind the decision was because there were two other flair bartending competitions taking place on the 13th and 15th. These competitions were a part of the FBA (Flair Bartending Association) advanced tour. The FBA is one of the main governing bodies for flair bartending in the world. Any time the FBA hosts an event, there are many bartenders that travel around the world to take top prize money, and to accumulate points for the over all world rankings. So it only made sense to host a Toronto Flair League competition in conjunction with the FBA shows.

All previous TFL competitions had been held at the Loose Moose tap and grill, however this time the Moose was to be closed for construction, so a new venue would have to host the event. After a brief search, the venue to host TFL #3 would be Jack Astor's John St. For the first time, Toronto would have three flair bartending competitions in three nights! Bartenders traveled from Reno Nevada and Las Vegas and would be competing in all three. That would mean for the first time, the Toronto Flair League would have outsiders competing at their show.

The stage was set. The roster was set. There were six bartenders competing in the Amateur division, and 15 in the Advanced, including the #1 ranked Advanced division bartender in the world, Santiago Gomez from Rock and Rita's in Las Vegas!

With a new venue and a new stage, the competition kicked off with newcomer Vadim Posodyan from the Amateur division. Traveling all the way from Nevada and competing in the Advanced division were Matt Baker and Kimo Mulder from Reno, and Ezequiel Abergo and Santiago Gomez from Las Vegas who headlined the show.

The show was the best to date. It was time for the results.

In his first competition Vadim Podosyan finished sixth, Jay Myers took fifth place, Amanda McCormick finished fourth, Defending Amateur champion Mark Broad finished in third place taking home $30, Mohammad Abazarifeh finished second in his first TFL competition taking home $40, and a new Amateur champion is crowned as Reed Pettit took top honours and the $50 prize.

For the Advanced division, the top 10 bartenders were introduced to the crowd. In his first Advanced division competition after two top three finishes in the Amateur division, Ryan DesJardins placed tenth. Kimo Mulder from Reno Nevada took ninth, Kris Perez finished in the eighth spot, Zack Prohaska ended up in seventh place followed by TFL #2 champion Michael Monthermoso who landed in sixth place. Fifth place was claimed by the TFL#1 champion David Jennings who finished 1 point behind Matt Baker of Reno Nevada. The TFL’s own Dustin Keifer cracked into the top three finishing in third place taking home $200. Second place went to Ezequiel Abergo from Las Vegas who received $300, and the New Toronto Flair League champion taking home the $500 prize was Santiago Gomez from Las Vegas.

TFL #3 was definitely a sign that the word is spreading quickly throughout the flair community that the Toronto Flair League is one of the biggest up-start flair bartending organizations in recent memory.

The fact that some of the best flair bartenders in the world are taking time to compete at TFL competitions shows that something is starting to take shape… TFL#4 is scheduled for October 25th 2010 and promises to be the biggest Toronto Flair League competition yet.

Until next time, keep flipping.

Well, TFL2 was a HUGH SUCCESS! We packed the Loose Moose! All the competitors did a great job! Awesome shows! So congrats to all of you! I would like to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who came out lastnight! We really appreciate all your support! Thank you!

Congrats to Mark Broad!! Placed 1st in his first competition in the amateur division! He put on a fantastic show! Great job buddy! The Rookie  Reed Petite finished 2nd  and Dave Disjardins placed a proud 3rd!  Another big Congrats to Michael Montehermoso for his 1st place finish in the Advanced division!! He rocked the stage in front of a roaring crowd! Great job Mikey! Dustin Kiefer made Windsor proud with his second place and Zack Prohaska with a happy 3rd! Great Job to all the competitors! Now lets get ready for TFL 3!!!!!!!

THE FOX AND THE FIDDLE COMPETITION!! AUGUST 24TH!! GREAT PRIZES!! GREAT FLAIR!! GREAT TIMES!!! STARTS AT 9PM! 1535 YONGE STREET!

Well the TFL's first comp was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! We packed the Loose Moose!! Had a wonderful crowd!! Thanks for ALL the Support!! I would like to give a MASSIVE CONGRATS to David Jennings! Placing 1st in the first the TFL flair comp!!! He rocked the stage!! I , Zack Prohaska came in 2nd! and Michael Montehermoso came 3rd with a crowd roaring Routine!! Another HUGE CONGRATS to Ryan Desjardins for his first comp ever and taking home 1st place in the NOVICE division! Matt Holtom with an impressive 2nd! and 3rd went to our Kiwi, Mikey Baker! I would also like to thank Mike Mclean for judging and teaching a seminar. Phill Quinn for providing the venue, and Ryan Smyth for... just being handsome...and judging. All competitors did a FANTASTIC job and put on GREAT shows!! You all did wonderful!! I hope this experience has motivated ALL of you to continue practicing! Keep flipping those bottles!!! Thanks for making the TFL a success!!! Cant wait for the next one!!!

Zack Prohaska

Hey everyone! I will be starting a flair league for all of us flairbartenders! There will be monthly comps held at the Loose Moose and possibly other venues aswell. I am creating this league because Toronto has a lot of talent and its time to showcase it! Many of you havent performed on stage yet. So, its time to break the ice!! The comps will be small at first and get bigger through out the year. We will be performing infront of eachother and our guests. Drinking beers and having a good flip! This will help all of us get better behind the bar and on stage!

Lets make this a success! Lets show the world that Toronto flairbartenders have talent!

Keep flipping!

Zack Prohaska

President Toronto Flair League