Jackie Chan's new place will share the flair

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Come November, bored barflies will be able to sate their thirst for stool-side entertainment at Hawai'i's first flair bar.

Jackie's Kitchen — martial arts actor Jackie Chan's new chain restaurant — is scheduled to open Nov. 21 on the third floor of Ala Moana Center. It will feature some 14 bartenders trained in the condiment-juggling, shaker-spinning, bottle-flipping art of flair bartending.

"The concept fits with the sort of crazy, physical stuff Jackie Chan is known for," says Cache Bouren, co-owner of Flair Hawai'i and creative design consultant for the restaurant. "It's not just one or two bartenders flipping bottles occasionally. When you come in, you will see how exciting and creative flair bartending can be."

Bartenders will practice what Bouren calls "working flair," a style of preparing drinks that employs a bit of showmanship but without the wait.

Bouren and his Flair Hawai'i partner Mike Graves will handle the bartender training, with some supplemental instruction from some of Las Vegas' top flair practitioners. Bartenders will be certified by the restaurant according to their experience and skill level.

"Level 1, they'll only be allowed to use flair with unbreakable stuff like shakers," Bouren says. "Level 4, they're completely unrestricted. They can throw people around if they want, as long as they don't drop them."