Danilo Oribe

By Kiko Miyasato

Danilo Oribe

Jimmy Buffett slides into town this week to perform, and that means a lot of Parrotheads will be perched at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar up the street at the Margaritaville Casino at the Flamingo. But Buffett won’t be the only one to watch, as flair bartender Danilo Oribe puts on quite a fantastic show of his own.

With a decade of experience behind him, Oribe is now ranked one of the best flair bartenders in the world. “Flair started out just as a hobby for me,” said Oribe, who began his career in his native Uruguay. But his hobby turned into practicing every day, and by the time a year had passed, he had entered his first competition. A couple of years later, Oribe claimed the International Bartending Association World Championship title, and has since won two more titles. “In the past 10 years, I have competed in more than 100 competitions in 30 countries,” he said. But, five years ago, he decided to set up shop in Las Vegas. “Vegas is, and has been, the hottest city in the world for flair bartending.”

During each of his shifts at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar (where all the bartenders are flair bartenders), Oribe puts on a show for his customers—twirling, flipping, throwing and catching as much as five objects at one time to make a cocktail. “One must be a good overall bartender first, and then you have to be able to completely entertain a crowd with flair. You have to put on a show for the people to enjoy.”

5 O’Clock Somewhere

With 60 ounces of its potent mix, the bar’s signature drink will definitely help you pass the time. The 5 O’Clock Somewhere is made with Margaritaville Premium Jamaican Silver rum, Margaritaville Paradise Passion Fruit tequila, Bacardi 151 rum, sour mix, orange and pineapple juices and grenadine, all served in a souvenir clock. Nine more signature drinks are on the menu, all available in sizes from a 12-ounce glass to 60-ounce souvenir cups.