Cayman Island Fire Flair

If Tom Cruise from the hit flick "Cocktail" were tending bar today, he would have a tough time keeping up with the new generation of Flair Bartenders. Today's talented bartenders tend to be found entertaining at the most desirable holiday destinations across the globe. In the Grand Cayman Islands, The bartenders at "O Bar" are turning heads as they transform a glass bottle into a prop for a Cirque du Soleil performance.

Moving as fluidly as the ingredients they are pouring, these bartenders flip, roll, and stall any object they might need to make a gin and tonic while still managing to keep up the immaculate level of service demanded at a high volume night club. However, when last call is over, they stop holding back and set fire to the tops of their bottles to serve up the grand finale. Flaming bottles spin through the air as a massive display of fire breathing lights up the room to expose a crowd of shocked expressions. Each fireball is timed to the beat of explosively energetic music and punctuated by a medley of high-pitched screaming.

Jono Firstbrook is a local celebrity on the island for his nightly performances at O Bar and tandem routines with Beth Herrera, who occasionally spins fire poi at the beach bar called "Calico Jacks". This week's show at Calico's was exceptionally unique as two extra performing bartenders happened to be in town on holidays. A fellow flair bartender named Adnan accompanied me to spend a week with Jono as we explored the island and took in what expat life in Paradise would feel like.

The adrenalin of being a part of a four-person fire performance was as intoxicating as a bartender's lifestyle. Especially since neither Adnan nor I had ever performed with fire before. "Just don't swallow the fuel and NEVER breath inwards!" Jono warns as he passes us two flaming bottles and the DJ starts spinning a track. The enticing atmosphere of the bar is derived from its open dance floor that spills onto the sandy beach where the fire performances took place and the audience circled around us. Feeling the heat from the fireballs, the crowd backs away as the danger of performing with fire becomes a little more obvious. Jono has singed most the hair off his arms and has admitted to losing a part of his eyebrow before. However, that doesn't stop him from feeling the rush of performing an art he is so passionate about.

It's easy to see the attraction of the Cayman Islands as a holiday destination. However, there is more than just warm weather and blissful beaches that attracts the masses of expat workers who occupy the service industry almost exclusively. There is a sense of community among the islanders that makes you feel like part of a big family… well, a big family that enjoys throwing large parties every single night of the week!

"It's a tough life, but I guess somebody's got to do it!" Jono explains with a cheeky grin. As the flair bartending community grows, you can expect to see more and more devastating performances around the Caribbean and anywhere else that a mix of tourism and adventurous escape draws the attention of these adrenaline addicted bartenders.

Paul Tipping