Bartender equipment
Bartending is defined as the ability to stand behind a bar and mix and serve drinks on request. Bartending has existed ever since man discovered drinking. In recent times however it has become a very sought after profession, especially among urban youth. In the US it has gone from a stop-gap arrangement after high school to a full fledged career. Urban youth today look at bartending as a serious profession which could have a long term pay-off. Bartending itself has morphed several levels up and the basic requirements in bartending are very different today. It has gone glam with a vengeance. Today it is inconceivable that a person gets a bartending gig unless he practices Flair bartending.
Look Ma, Im bartending
Flair bartending is the rage in the US and several other countries. It is a phenomenon originating from the West but today bars in urban centers all over the world have bartenders who specialize in this. Flair bartending is the art of bartenders entertaining guests, clientele or audiences with the manipulation of bar tools / equipment like cocktail shakers and liquor bottles in tricky, dazzling ways. It is usually done in cocktail bars, with bartenders requiring juggler like skills. It has become a sought-after talent among venue owners and marketers to help advertise a liquor product or opening of a new bar establishment. Earlier called extreme bartending it became the rage in the mid 90s and is ubiquitous today in the bar universe. Flair bartending became a cultural phenomenon after it was glamorized and sensationalized in two Hollywood productions.
First came the movie Cocktail where Tom Cruise mixed drinks and wowed women from behind the bar table. Then after a decade and half came along the female empowerment vehicle Coyote Ugly where girls danced to music and strutted on the bar table while mesmerizing guests with their bartending skills. These two movies have captured the imagination of young cinema goers worldwide and are largely responsible for giving the sheen of respectability to bartending. Bartending in US is still not a career choice that parents would approve of but with its razzmatazz and dazzle value it looks like the proverbial coming-of-age job for many youngsters. Add to it the good money one can earn in short time as well as the life experience it gives you, its no surprise that bartending schools are seeing a rush.
Tools of the trade
Equipment usually used is basic like coloured bottles, soda bottles, jugglers, and glasses. The tricks include juggling bottles, flipping bottles and shakers, manipulating flammable liquors or even performing close-up magic tricks. This is also called bar-magic. It starts with simple tricks like throwing ice cubes in the air and catching them with a glass, to juggling several glass bottles at the same time like in a circus. Its exhibitionism, showmanship and entertainment being served at the same time usually set to the sounds of catchy, hip music blaring from the speakers. Today bartending competitions are organized all over the world. Bartenders both professional and amateur take part in it. Its an ideal place to showcase ones talents, while a good show might land the performer a good job. The prize money is also good as these events are sponsored by cash rich companies. Bartending as of now appears to have a merry future.
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