Have you ever come to a point where you were confused of flairtending and bartending as one? Or is flairtending just one simple act of performance and show off? This is to elucidate flairtending as a part of a bartending work and as a simple or complex art of performance.

Worldflairassociation.com establishes that Flairtending is the practice of bartenders entertaining the guests or audience with the manipulation of bar tools like cocktail shakers and liquor bottles in tricky, dazzling ways. It is often referred to as ‘extreme bartending’ or ‘bar tricks’. It requires skills commonly associated with jugglers and it is also known almost in every bar in the world. Flairtending is showmanship added to bartending that enhances the overall guest experience.

                However, there are two known types of Flairtending. First is the ‘Working Flair’ and the second is the ‘Performance Flair’ according to www.fineartbartending.ca.

                For Working Flair, it is a combination of routines that may be composed of basic tricks like a simple toss or a bottle flip just to impress the guest and add showmanship in mixing the drinks. It commonly takes 3-5 minutes of routine including the mixing but not too long to make sure that service speed won’t be compromised. It is also most of the time finished with a pour on either the shaker or the glass of the customer. Due to lack of space behind the bar counter, the working flair is primarily made up of basic trick to reduce the risk of damage to bar property like glasses and bottles and as well as the safety of the customers.

                On the other hand, the Performance Flair is composed of extreme tricks and routines that won’t be shorter than 5 minutes. Its routines usually involves multiple bottles and shakers resulting in extra ordinary performance thus increasing risk of damage. It is commonly performed on stage or in competitions. Most of the time, its routines are finished with a basket or a snatch of the shaker into the bottle.

                Performance Flair and Working Flair are used in two different set-up, the performance flair for competitions while the working flair is done behind the bar counter. Though they have their set of differences, they work best in their respective areas and both requires practice and perseverance to perfect each set of routines.

By: Mr. Wrence Nichols Y. Dizon | Instructor | Philippine Women’s University