MANGUPURA, Bali (BPN) – The Indonesian Bartender Association (HBI) hosted a spectacular flair bartending event titled “Indonesia Flair Tandem” on Sunday (July 12, 2026) at the Golden Tulip Jineng Resort, which is claimed to be the world’s first tandem flair bartending competition.
According to HBI Advisor Agung Darmawan, globally, the flair bartending competition is currently booming, with international competitions happening nearly every month or year.
However, the vast majority of these events focus strictly on individual performances rather than tandem duos.
“Tandem competitions are incredibly rare worldwide. This tandem competition might be the first in the world, because it requires two flair bartenders to work as one. The real challenge lies in perfectly synchronizing two different individuals,” Darmawan noted. “Through this event, we want to show the world that we are capable of hosting world-class flair competitions, and this will become an annual HBI event.”
This prestigious event brought together six pairs of the finest flair bartenders, all ready to test their skills and synchronization on stage.
“The judging is based on creativity, difficulty of moves, and synchronization. Points are deducted for drops, spills, and missing ingredients,” Darmawan explained.
Darmawan further elaborated that each duo was required to craft two distinct cocktails using different base spirits: vodka and tequila.
This tandem competition is uniquely challenging and rarely seen in Indonesia. Unlike individual categories, the tandem format demands an exceptionally high level of difficulty.
Every pair had to align their rhythm, choreography, and precision while simultaneously tossing bottles and shakers, all competing for a total prize pool of IDR 15 million.
Meanwhile, HBI Executive Chairman I Gede Adijaya, affectionately known as De Bean, stated that the goal of the competition is to create something authentic that defines HBI’s identity while truly challenging the bartenders.
“Why tandem? We want to emphasize teamwork because there is no ‘one-man show’ in the bartending world. We wanted to see how well these bartenders cooperate and manage their individual egos,” De Bean explained.
De Bean added that hospitality is not just about the product or service, but also about entertainment—an element that can be elevated through flair events. Mastering this skill allows bartenders to engage guests interactively, ensuring a dynamic and lively bar atmosphere.
The Golden Tulip Jineng Resort was chosen as the venue due to its strong alignment with HBI’s vision and mission.
Baramukti, General Manager of Golden Tulip Jineng Resort Bali, explained that both parties are fully committed to continuously encouraging bar industry practitioners to boldly create and innovate.
“Through this collaboration, we hope to foster a talented new generation, specifically in the field of flair bartending,” Baramukti concluded.
Beyond the thrilling competition, the event also marked a new chapter for the HBI organization.
On the same occasion, HBI officially introduced its interim executive lineup that will lead the organization until February 2027: I Gede Adijaya (De Bean) as Executive Chairman, Ni Komang Arlin Widiastuti (Arlin) as First Vice Chair, and I Gede Bayu Krisnawan (Bayu Alexander) as Second Vice Chair.
This new leadership transition team is expected to drive HBI forward, continuing to actively support and accommodate the creativity of Indonesia’s bartending community.
 made history by hosting the world's first tandem flair bartending competition at Bali's Golden Tulip Jineng Resort.){kind=link}