Vache Manoukian is causing mad noise over at Circa Resort & Casino—applause and “oohs” and “aahs” type of noise. As one of the property’s most popular flair bartenders—while we were conducting the interview and photo shoot, more than one guest stopped by to say they came to Las Vegas specifically to see Manoukian’s skills—he brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, has won seven championships and made countless Top 5 and Top 10 lists, and has an honest-to-goodness amazing energy that’s simply contagious. He’s also traveled the world, competing in places like Peru, London, Russia, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Born in Armenia, Manoukian did a bulk of his growing up in Massachusetts. He played drums for a long time, but when the band broke up, he still craved a creative outlet. “So I was on vacation with my cousin in Florida, and we happened to walk by a flair bartending competition,” he says. “It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be a flair bartender.” Never having bartended, he started learning the trade by working his way into the craft at TGI Fridays and Kahunaville, both well-known flair spots in his home state. After a few years, he decided to move to Las Vegas, one of the top cities in the world for flair; that was almost 18 years ago.
Since moving to town he’s worked at the Rio and at Carnaval Court at Harrah’s, where he dedicated 15 years to keeping that bar one of the best spots for flair in the city. When Circa was nearing completion, Manoukian was approached to join the all-flair-bar property.
“They really gave me the dream job of dream jobs,” he says. “The energy, the vibe here—it’s just magical. I love how the job allows me to be creative. It’s just such a fun job. We’re creating experiences for the guests that they’ve never had before with a bartender, maybe stuff they’ve never seen before. It’s a great feeling to give to someone.”
Libation: Moscow Mule
Manoukian flaired for us the refreshing and ginger-tasting Moscow Mule, mixed with Tito’s Handmade vodka, Fever Tree ginger beer and fresh lime. For the
photo shoot, we captured Manoukian at Mega Bar, Circa’s longest bar on property—reputedly the longest bar in Las Vegas—measuring a mind-blowing 165 feet! Mega Bar can seat more than 50 guests and offers more than 100 beers on tap. All of Circa’s bars offer flair bartending, so you can also catch Manoukian working his skills at Overhang Bar and Circa Bar.
Benefit: Want to see some of Manoukian’s flair bartending skills right now? Check out his TikTok account @flyin.v
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