Flair Bartender: Rob Turek Interview
When I saw Rob Turek spit fire across the bar I was ready to party. Even with it being 11:00 a.m. the day after the fourth of July. I hadn’t heard of flair bartending before I met Rob and I will now never forget it. We chat with him below to find out how he got his start in this flashy industry.
Q: How did you end up getting into bartending? And eventually into flair bartending?
A: I picked up a job at Jacob’s Field ( home to the Cleveland Indians) as a barback. Loved it ever since. I’m a showman at heart and love the stage. Flair was very enticing to me.
Q: What are the different types of flair bartending?
A: There is working flair (tricks in the process of making drinks with all tools) and Exhibition Flair (juggling and crazy balancing tricks) and Fire Flair. (Exhibition Flair with bottles lit on fire.)
Q: Tell us more about your style? And the use of fire.
A: I have a style of both working flair and exhibition flair (putting on a show). Fire is the danger element everyone wants to see! The people love it most although it has absolutely nothing to do with making a drink.
Q: Is it ever intimidating using fire?
A: Not anymore. When I first started it was, but over the years I have bonded with the element of fire. I expect to get burned even though I do everything to avoid getting burned. It comes with the territory. Fire is dangerous. You must not be afraid of it if working with it, and understand that it is a living, breathing thing. Know everything about safety first. I actually have an article in the archives of bartendbetternow.com that talks about Fire Flair…
Q: Do you think flair bartending will become more prominent or mainstream?
A: It actually was more mainstream in the late 90’s/early 00’s. It exploded in Las Vegas and Liquor companies invested big money into competitions. There are many, many more people today flairing-more so overseas in Europe and Asia, but it is still growing, just not as publicized any more, because the liquor companies are investing into craft cocktail culture more today.
Q: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I am a single father who has had haff custody of a disabled boy for all of his life. He has Landau-Kleffner Syndrome and Autism and has been through 2 Brain Surgeries. He’s the reason I never moved to Las Vegas to be a Flair bartender there. And I am 100% proud I made that decision. I just recently started a 501-C3 Charity in his name called the DAKOTA TUREK FOUNDATIONS FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND CONDITIONS. Looking to help others and keep flair as a big part of helping to raise awareness.
Q: What has been your most memorable show or bartending night?
A: Putting on the event, Dakota’s Challenge, along with my flair brothers and sisters….to raise money to help pay for my son’s brain surgeries.
Q: What famous people have you made drinks for?
A: I worked Super Bowl 40 for Red Bull and made drinks for hall of famers, Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, etc. I made drinks for Billy Bob Thornton, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, and Anthony Mackie (all movie stars). Joss Whedon (director of the Avengers movies and Buffy the Vampire creator) filmed my fire show one night. I did Anti-aging cocktails for Dr. OZ on his TV Show as well.
Q: Do you come up with these tricks on your own or study other people?
A: A combination of both. When you start flair, you learn fundamental moves like any other type of skill or sport. I watched how others would do tricks. As you become better, you begin to create your own tricks or just stumble upon new ideas while practicing.
