Behnam Gerami lives in Las Vegas and works at the Rio Casino in the I- Bar. He is an active flairbartender since 10 years. He is known as someone who is competing a lot and making the finals of some of the biggest flair competitions in the world. It´s a great pleasure that Behnam Gerami answered the questions.

1. What do you think about the arising voices in the community complaining the “big dogs”, like you, are cheating by making “empty bottle flair” ?

Behnam Gerami: I saw this concern under Cocktail Shows about Tom Dyer. There were over 55 comments and I was biting my tongue trying not to respond to this. So I’m glad you ask. I personally find it insulting. I disagree 100%, the people who are talking obviously do not compete very often or in major comps, because every major comp that is FBA approved checks bottles while you are on stage setting up your bar. So that does not happen. I just got back from Roadhouse last week which is not sponsored by the FBA and they checked my bottles as well. Last week I had a local comp in Vegas and they checked bottles so I have to disagree. Furthermore the proof is in the results. For example I was not there but I spoke to a judge from the Skyy Global Challenge I heard the reason Tom lost to Christian was because of the spills. He only had one drop but the spills made the difference. So you have to have liquid in order to have spills. Lastly anybody want to accuse me of cheating, next time you see me at a comp, you are welcome to come check my bottles. I am sure I speak for everybody regarding this matter..

2. Do you think that flairbartending could become a kind of sports or do you think that flairbartending will always belong to the bar culture ?

Behnam Gerami: I do believe that flairbartending is a sport. Wheater it’s going to be big like X games? I hope , that is what we are all pushing for. We need to be more professional and treat it like a profession then just a hobby. Because if you don’t take it seriously no one will.

3. How long will you be an active flairbartender ? What are your dreams for the future ?

Behnam Gerami: You sound like my mom ha ha ha That is a question I ask my self all the time how much longer can I do this? I just turned 34 so I guess time is ticking but I have to say I still enjoy competing and I do believe that I am getting better every year. I always wanted to win one World Championship and until That happens it’s going to be really hard for me to call it quits. So I guess that answerer is never ha ha. For the future I hope to have my own bar and to organize comps as well. But that just my flair future I have other dreams that we will not get into.

4. What do you think about the german flair community ?

Behnam Gerami: Unfortunately I have not been to Germany because of Visa issues. However I hope to make it down soon. I am not that familiar with the German flair community. I do know Giovanni Doimo very well who is the current Champion. I have seen several clips from “Sushi ” I think he is great, but I have never meet him. I have seen a few people on You Tube like the Shadow Shaker crew and they were all very good. I wish they would come down to the states to compete IN Legends or Nations or UFBC.

Thank you for this interview.