What is Flair Bartending?
In layman’s terms, Flair Bartending is bartending with a twist. You may have seen elements of Flair in movies, TV or in person. Bartenders trained in Flair believe in providing the customer with exceptional service and entertainment at the same time. Bottle flipping, ice catching, glass spinning and impressive acrobatics are but a few elements of flair. Bartenders from around the world compete annually in such competitions and make tremendous amounts of money in their careers. However, it takes personality, skill, coordination, dedication, and lots and lots of practice to become an expert in such a field.
Flair is a style of bartending that has existed for at least 150 years. Fabled American bartending legend Jerry “the professor” Thomas performed flair in the mid 1800s, whenever he made his famous Blue Blazer, pouring flaming scotch and water from mug to mug in a long, fiery stream. Any bartender who has ever put two or more bottles in one hand uses flair. Flair is simply efficiency of movement with a little pizzazz. Technically speaking, flair is the act of flipping, spinning, throwing, balancing, catching bottles, drinks, and various bar tools while in the process of making cocktails. Flair involves highly technical pours and cuts that ensure accuracy and no spillage while performing various tricks and moves. Speed bartending a form of flair in that the fastest, most efficient way to make drinks involves multi-bottle pours; inverted catches and grabs; stylish, martial-art like movements; and even behind the back throws and catches from time to time.
