The Team:

Bartending: 14 years

Competitive Bartending: 12 years

Rank:  TGI Friday’s World Bartender Champion

Brian Zachau is a bartender, consultant, and corporate trainer who has been recognized for his competitive successes and achievements as a bartender.  He is the only american to win the internationally respected TGI Friday’s World Bartender Championship in the past 15 years.  On his path to the title, he “raised the bar” by setting company records for most World Bartender Finals appearances (7 consecutive), most US Championship titles (6 consecutive), and first place finishes in the speed and accuracy round, twice.  Brian has been featured in the media for his flair and bartending expertise and is a regular contributor to drink demonstrating segments on both a local and national platform.  He has been seen nationally on SPIKE TV, Food Network, Bloomberg, TMZ, The Dailey Buzz, and the Mancow show.  Locally he has been seen on Twin Cities Live, Franchise Times, MetroMix, TV Twelve, Twin Cities Live, Dallas Morning News, and many other shows.

Brian co-founded a beverage consulting company in 2006.  Liquidmotion, is a sought after bartender staffing, training, and performing expertise company.  The Liquidmotion team has performed for a wide range of clients including:  Hollywood premiere parties, billionaire’s birthday bashes, corporate events, and even barnyard weddings.  Their corporate clients have included: General Mills, Moen, Young Living, US Foodservice, Derse, Mohegan Sun, Activision, and Diesel USA. 

How long have you been bartending?
12 years
How did you learn to flair?
I got into flair bartending a very cool time.
What are some of the competitions you have done.  Which one is your favorite?
My favorite competition was Bacardi Pro Flair in Moscow, Russia.  Bacardi built bleachers in this place and fireworks went off when we walked on stage.  It was unbelievable atmosphere!
What awards have you won and which one means the most?  The two awards that I have won that probably mean the most to me would be Qualifying for the Grand Final at Roadhouse in London, UK and also taking top 5 at Legends.  They were the two most prestigious competitions at the time.
What is the craziest thing that has happened during a shift?  You don’t want to know.
What is your favorite event you have worked?  Favorite event I worked would have to be the James Bond Quantum of Solace release party in New York City.  Was a blast working in tuxedos and having Aston Martins at the entrance to the party.  It was really high profile and really fun.
Why do you like working with the other Liquidmotion bartenders?  We only employ skilled professionals and we work well and have a lot of fun together.
What is your favorite city to travel to?  There’s two.  Vancouver and Atlanta.  The industry in those cities have really taken care of me over the years.
What is your favorite cocktail?  Going to just say Bacardi Limon and Red Bull because it holds special memories for me when I worked a tour around the nation with Bacardi Limon.  We did 13 cities, 39 clubs, in 13 weeks.

What kind of music do you like to flair to?  Over the years it has been mostly rock and house music.

 I have been bartending for almost 3 years.

I learned flair bartending while working at T.G.I. Friday’s.
I have participated in various competitions put on by businesses like T.G.I. Friday’s and Red Bull, as well as several charity shows.
I have taken first place in the Red Bull sponsored Midwest T.G.I. Friday’s Bar Wars competition, as well as various first place finishes in charity shows, and currently the Midwest Regional T.G.I. Friday’s Bartender Champion. My last T.G.I. Friday’s World Bartender Championship run was the most meaningful due to the amount of time, studying, and practice it takes to reach that level of competition and succeed.
My favorite event was an event televised from Grand Casino in Hinkley.
I enjoy working with fellow Liquidmotion bartenders because we all enjoy the art of flair bartending and can always share a good laugh with eachother before, during, or after events.
So far my favorite city to travel to is Georgetown in the Cayman Islands, it’s hard to beat the “Island way of life”, not to mention they have some sick flair bartenders on the island.
My favorite bar is Kierans Irish Pub in Minneapolis, I love their beer selection, live music, and house made Irish Liquers.
My preferred drink is a Corona and lime, however for a cocktail I enjoy a nice Vodka/Redbull.
My type of music has a familiar good beat so the crowd can get into the music as well as what’s going on behind the bar, recently this has included quite a bit of LMFAO and Flo Rida.