Nicolas ‘Nico’ Antivero – Rocks the Hard Rock

One of the newest Argentinean bartenders to hit the US Flair scene. Fresh off his win down at Bartenders Bash, Nicolas Antivero talks about his debut at the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa, Florida and the building of a new Flair team!

Age? I’m 21 years old.

Where are you from? I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

How long have you’ve been bartending? I have being bartending for three years.

And Flair bartending? two and a half years.

Where do you work? In the new empire of Flair, the fabulous Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida.

What got you into Flair bartending? It started like a hobby and today I can say that is my way of life.

How did you start learning to Flair? With Matias Supan and Adriano Marcellino in the Instituto Forum in Buenos Aires.

What makes you stand out from other Flair bartenders? I’m still looking for my own personality and style in Flair. If I have to chose one quality, it’s that I’m always competing against other competitors and myself. For me, work behind a bar is a passion. I believe that to compete in all the tournaments is in a higher step in my goals.

What do you hope to get out of Flair? I really enjoy work and travel, and make new friends. But I practice hard every day to get from Flair the best and accomplish my goal, that is to be the number one in the world. If I wouldn’t wish to be the best, I couldn’t call my self a Flair bartender.

Watch the video (right) to see Nico down at Bartenders Bash Flairing without spilling his drink.

Why do you Flair now? I Flair now for fun.

How does the general Argentinean public react to Flair bartending? Definitely they are colder than here, but with out a doubt the people really enjoy Flair in Argentina, the USA and all around the world.

Who do you look up to in this Sport? Definitely I think that ‘The Master’, Christian Delpech, is my idol, but I can’t not forget to mention my first teachers, Matias Supan and Adriano Marcellino. They are not only in the top five of the world of Flair bartending, but also in my heart.

Pictured left is Nico after many shots of Abuela. That’s Grandma in Spanish.

What is your favorite Flair bartending competition? To look the Roadhouse, to win the Legends and if I could get time back I will die to compete in a Quest for the Best Bartender. I really want to compete in all of them and once have compete in all of them I can answer this question more precisely.

What are the biggest differences working in an American Flair bar rather then a bar in Argentina? Definitely in America the bars are more professional and they have all the equipment to do Flair Bartending, the Americans have more alcoholic culture than the Argentineans, but the party in an Argentinean bar has NO comparison with a bar in America. I like both styles. Just to mention, in Argentina there’s only two Flair bars, Sahara Continent (my last job) and Stone Bar.

How did you get the Job at the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa? A friend called Martin Janica ‘The Crazy of the Pool’ thought about us when he got the chance of bring Argentineans Flair bartenders to the US. He told us to send videos and resumes and he and Sujoy Brahma, they put together this Flair team. I use this interview to say THANKS to Martin and Sujoy for this unique opportunity.

Pictured right is Nico hard at work at the Hard Rock.

You just won 1st place down in Bartenders Bash, Tell us about your experience down there? It was a different tournament, beside a great tournament is a great party. I’m still shocked because was my first 1st place win in the US and sharing time with legends like Rob Husted and Rick Barcode and Bill Long, persons that until a couple of months ago, I have only seen in videos and internet. It was a great comp and a great experience.

How often do you practice? Every day at least one hour. Before a tournament I practice like five or six hours a day. Lately since I’m here in the US, I don’t have to much time to practice because the job keep us very busy. But I will get the practice rhythm again.

What do you like most about America? I like the life style. The people is very friendly and above all, there is a lot of Flair competitions and Flair is taken very seriously in this country. It’s really considered a sport.

What is your favorite drink? In the US Jager and Red bull on the rocks and in Argentina the Fernet with Coke. But I’m still impress with the great American shot Sex with an Alligator.