November 10th - 11th , 2002
Article & Photography by Rob Husted
The Finals
1st Place - Levi " The Great White Hope " Donaldson
The kid from Indiana surprises all ! . Levi Donaldson known formally for his routines that mimic the Argentinean style , had a whole new routine with Argentinean influence and American ingenuity.
Levi had one of the fastest Speed/ Accuracy rounds combined with his near flawless three bottle routine that brought him in enough points to capture First place and $2,000.00 .
Congratulations Levi , We are all proud of you !
To check out Levi's routine , click on his picture on the left.
2nd Place - Daniel Rossi
What can I say but...... WOW ! Team Argentina always puts on one hell of a show. From elaborate costumes to some crazy multiple object combination while looking calm and confident behind the bar.
And Daniel Rossi did just that , Daniel had some of he best four bottle combinations in the contest. From columns , to stagger , to over the top .... Daniel's Flair round was one of the best I have seen from him yet. If it wasn't for a simple mistake at the end of his Flair round the positions might have changed.
To check out this smooth Argentinean , Click on his picture to the left.
3rd Place - Eric Moon
One of Tallest competitors of the night.... Eric Moon. One of West Palm Beach's local Flair bartenders , Represented for the home town crowd. Eric had one of the smartest rounds I've seen from him yet. With the fast pumping music and crowd going nuts screaming him on... Eric still kept his head and did what he had to do.
Eric has a different style of Flair all to his own. From his insane two bottle to his under hand grip three bottle..... Eric is always one to watch at the comps.
Click on his picture to see
what I mean...
4th Place - Adriano Marcelino
All the way from Buenos Aires, Argentina . Adriano Marcelino always has all eyes on him... After seeing his qualifying rounds , Adriano was one of the comps favorites to win. Adriano has some of the most smoothest three , four , five and six bottle combinations I have ever seen.... And yes I said six bottles.
Keep an eye on this kid ... He is making a name for himself and I expect great things from him in the near future.
Thanks for your support Adriano !
Click on Adriano's picture to see a highlight from his routine.
5th Place - Steve " The Show " McLavish
Steve Mclavish hails all the way from Alberta , Canada . Steve has been showing up at more and more competitions lately and placing really well. Some of you guys and girls might remember Steve from the WBC ( World Bartender Championships) in Orlando earlier this year. Where he put on one of the best Austin Powers impersonations and most entertaining Specialty rounds I have ever seen. This time was no exception.....
Steve had three different costumes , a huge Canadian flag , a mirrored ball Stanley cup and some awesome Flair to boot.
Click on his picture to see him in action....
6th Place - Gouzdo " Coco " Garcia
Consistency is the name for Gouzdo " Coco " Garcia.... In the last BarWars, Coco took the sixth place spot and this time he shows you he can do it again.
Dressed up like Obi Wan Kenobe , Coco shows us how a true Jedi master would Flair!
Good job Coco !
To check out Coco's routine , click on his picture on the left.
7th Place -Hernan Markowitz
Every time I see this guy he just keeps getting better and better. Hernan Markowitz has some difficult moves which he keeps fluid and fun. Being the first one to go , Hernan defiantly warmed up the crowd and gave them a taste of things yet to come.
Exciting as usual Hernan !
To check out Hernan's routine , click on his picture on the left.
8th Place - Mike Holmes
Some of you guys might know Mike Holmes from the Adobe Gila's "Battle of the Bartenders" competitions. Mike is usually everybody barback and now its its his turn to shine , And shine he did. Mike had one of the best intros in the comp with an awesome Yoda Impersonation followed by some impressive Flair.
One of my favorites moves from Mike was his double helicopter outs and the best break of the night went to Mike as he attempted four bottles the last 5 secs of his routine.
Can't wait to see what you have in store next time Mike!
To see this barback in action, click on his picture on the left.
9th Place - Ati
Yes you're eyes don't fool you... she is female and all Flair. This little firecracker of spunk comes to us from South Beach , Miami. Ati gives the guys a run there money by adding a little bit of her fun and energetic pizzazz to her Flair with a woman's touch!
You might recognize Ati from other comps where she is always dancing and getting the crowd behind the bartenders , And this time the crowd was behind her.
Ati had some nice bottle tin and even some three bottle combinations that gave some of the new up and coming female bartenders the confidence to start Flairing as well.
Way to go Ati !
Check out this feisty female and click on his picture on the left.
10th Place - James Hadhazy
Taking the 10th place position is James Hadhazy part of Barmasutra.com. James is another one whom everytime I see them they just keep getting better and better. James had some nice variety from one bottle and tin to three bottles.
Loved the incense James!
To check out James's routine , click on his picture on the left.
11th Place - Robin Closson
Robin Closson from Kahunaville and Blue Martini ,Tampa has been making a name for herself lately. By hanging with the boys and showing them what " Girl Power " is all about !
Robin had some nice combinations and like a woman I think four different costume changes.
It's nice to see more and more females getting into this sport!
To check out Robin's routine , click on his picture on the left.
12th Place - JP Varvarigos
Only Flairing for three months Jp Varvarigos has been a quick up and comer. This being his third comp already , JP shows the new guys all you have to do is get out there and practice and you will be able to hang with the big dogs.
JP put alot of time into this and it paid off nicely!
To check out JP's routine , click on his picture on the left.
Flairco's BAM ( Big Ass Move ) Award
The award for best move had to go to Daniel Rossi for his five bottle flash at the end of his routine.
To see this amazing move that left the crowd in uproar... check out the clip by clicking on Daniels picture to the left !
Best Specialty Drink - Levi Donaldson
Best Speed / Accuracy Round - Daniel Rossi
1st Place Levi " The Great White Hope " Donaldson
2nd Place Daniel Rossi
3rd Place Eric Moon
4th Place Adriano Marcelino
5th Place Steve " The Show " McLavish
6th Place Gouzdo " Coco " Garcia
7th place Herman Markowicz
8th Place Mike Holmes
9th place Ati
10th place James Hadhazy
11th place Robin Closson
12th place JP Varvarigos
13th place William " Woody" Wiggins
14th place Tim Plummer
15th place Joel Olinskit
16th place Teddy Buckley
17th place Brian " Buffalo " Kishel
18th place Dennis Simon