Arctic Flair 2026
Restaurant Kekäle, Levintie 1590, 99130 Sirkka, Finland
Program
13:30 CoreGo Cocktail Workshop (18+)
14:30 Doors open to the public
15:00 Arctic Flair 2026 – Qualifying Round begins
19:00 Monnet Cognac Tasting (18+)
20:30 Arctic Flair 2026 – Final Round begins
Arctic Flair 2026
Arctic Flair 2026 is an international flair bartending competition that brings 25 of the world’s best show bartenders to Restaurant Kekäle in Levi to compete for the championship of the fells.
Flair bartending – or “flair” as it’s commonly called – is a spectacular style of bartending where entertaining tricks with bottles, shakers, and other bar tools are incorporated into drink preparation. Some may recognize the sport from the movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise. During competition performances, however, multiple bottles and shakers fly through the air at once, and many routines feature almost circus-like elements – without ever forgetting the craft of bartending itself.
Top professionals from around the world will compete, traveling from Argentina, Chile, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Venezuela.
Among the competitors is the reigning IBA World Champion!
This event is unprecedented in the sport, as flair bartending competitions have never before been held in a setting like Levi Fell. Sandy beaches and southern warmth are familiar environments for the sport and its close-knit international audience. Now we get to showcase the unique possibilities that Finnish Lapland has to offer!
Arctic Flair 2026 is sanctioned by the international governing body, the World Flair Association (WFA), and has the honor of launching the 2026 WFA World Tour. At the end of the tour, the competitor who has accumulated the most points throughout the season will be crowned the world’s best flair bartender.
The qualifying round begins at 15:00, with the top six competitors advancing to the final starting at 20:30.
Free entry to the event.
CoreGo Cocktail Workshop & Monnet Cognac Tasting
CoreGo Cocktail Workshop – 13:30
In addition to the competition, we are hosting the CoreGo Cocktail Workshop and the Monnet Cognac Tasting.
Cocktail masters Jukka Rauhala (CoreGo Finland) and Johanna Paasi (VIP Bartenders) will lead a cocktail workshop before the flair competition kicks off.
Participants will prepare three drinks under the guidance of experienced beverage industry professionals. The workshop is designed for anyone interested in cocktails – perhaps those who have already worked in the field for a while and want to deepen their knowledge and take their bartending skills to the next level.
No prior experience is required, so don’t hesitate to join!
Price: €15 per person (18+ only)
Register by sending us a private message on Instagram or Facebook @arcticflair to receive payment instructions. Places are filled in order of registration.
Monnet Cognac Tasting – 19:00
Many people may know in theory the differences between VS, VSOP, and XO cognacs – but how do these differences actually appear and, most importantly, taste in the glass? And how can this knowledge be used in cocktail creation?
Join us to learn more about cognac under the guidance of long-time industry professional Mikko “Popo” Pietikäinen. No prior experience is required – the tasting is open to all adults interested in the topic.
Price: €8 per person (18+ only)
Register by sending us a private message on Instagram or Facebook @arcticflair to receive payment instructions. Places are filled in order of registration.
Welcome to experience world-class flair action live on site!
