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In most bars and pubs, the bartender just mixes drinks and pours beer. But some add a dash of flair, with tricks like throwing the bottles and flipping them in the air.
This week, the best flair bartenders from around the world are showing what they can do at Moscow's
World Cocktail Championships,
Anyone can throw a bottle of spirits in the air, the challenge is catching it.
Competitors from 50 countries are in Moscow eager to prove their talents.
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): ALEXANDER SHTIFANOV, Bartender
"Of course it's stressful. Of course you're nervous but on the stage you start to feel better. The
chief thing - you need a properly rehearsed program."
Experienced judges look at not only the sharp-cut techniques of the contestants, but the taste of
cocktails and even glass designs and cocktail names.
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): SLAVA BELYAKOV, Bartender
"There is an advice for all bartenders and especially for beginners. They come out feeling a load
of responsibility, and try to show off at an amazing level. Don't do that -- just enjoy it. Then it
will look easy and interesting for the viewers and will be rated high."
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): ALEXANDER SHTIFANOV, Bartender
"There are many psychological tips and tricks. When you perform, think about nuances, especially
when there are many things up in the air. Set a priority for the moment you need to catch every
object. But at the same time keep a smile on your face because many guys while concentrating on
doing things have such a face."
The art of flairing combines energetic juggling with meditative mixing. And the key is the skillful
balancing between the two.
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): ALEXANDER SHTIFANOV, Bartender
"The main thing in flairing especially in competition is that a bartender should perform with the
best technique, complexity and creativity. Because 95 percent of all bartenders in the world just
copy the top-masters movements. But on the peak there are those who introduced their own style and
something new to flairing."
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): SLAVA BELYAKOV, Bartender
"In order to achieve something in flairing you need to train every day, five days a week, five
hours a day. And if you are a young guy you want to live, you want to have fun in some way. And
there is absolutely no time for working behind the bar, learning mixology, so you need to make a
choice. Therefore those guys who rise high spend all the time in the training room and they
sacrifice their private life."
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): NARINE BAGMANYAN, Organizer
"I think now Moscow bartenders are more relevant and better than even those in other countries.
It's my private opinion, I have been keeping an eye on them for 15 years."
Bartenders used to think that flairing gurus are not as good at cocktail mixing as the classic
barmen are.
SOUNDBITE(RUSSIAN): SLAVA BELYAKOV, Bartender
"The task of this Championship is not to show the complicated, beautiful, super-mega-incredible
tricks. The task is to mix a good and tasty cocktail with flairing elements. And there are two
nominations: classic mixing and mixing with flairing tricks. So far guys who work classically have
a bit higher level of cocktail quality. Although if look at the exact persons there are many good
guys who juggle the bottles and mix really nice drinks."
The World Championship final tour will take place this September.