Why use flair?
Common prejudice vs facts
It is important to understand that flair should always been seen as an additional extra offered to the customer. Quality of drinks, cleanliness and customer service should always have priority. But if you are able to combine those attributes with flair, than you are the perfect bartender!
There has always been a big debate whether to use flair behind the bar or not?The purpose of this article therefore is to reveal mistakes and prejudices considering working flair and to show that flair bartending definately has a big presence and impact in modern bar tending.
There has always been a big debate whether to use flair behind the bar or not?The purpose of this article therefore is to reveal mistakes and prejudices considering working flair and to show that flair bartending definately has a big presence and impact in modern bar tending.
Fact: Flairbartenders are able to achieve better sales!
If an experienced bartender is placed beside an equally experienced "Competing Flair Bartender"( a bartender participating in competitions and constantly improving his skills, techniques and expertise) on the same bar, the Flair Bartender will achieve the better sales throughout.
A Flair bartender entertains his customers during work. The more work you throw at him the better . In contradiction to a "normal" Bartender who is mainly focused on taking and preparing the next drinks order a Flair bartender is able control a busy bar and use it to his advantage.
The effortlessness and playful manner the flairbartender prepares his drink along with entertainment and friendly disposition he provides, will attract more customers. It will also encourage further consumption, and therefore, the Flair bartender will achieve better sales overall.
A Flair bartender does more than just make drinks. He lives for what he does and learns, practices and participates in competitions. This kind of passion and expertise will also reflect onto the customer. Further to this his training to perform on stage enables a competing Flair bartender to remain calm and relaxed - even in stressful situations. This will enhance the customers experience and a return visit will be more likely.
A Flair bartender entertains his customers during work. The more work you throw at him the better . In contradiction to a "normal" Bartender who is mainly focused on taking and preparing the next drinks order a Flair bartender is able control a busy bar and use it to his advantage.
The effortlessness and playful manner the flairbartender prepares his drink along with entertainment and friendly disposition he provides, will attract more customers. It will also encourage further consumption, and therefore, the Flair bartender will achieve better sales overall.
A Flair bartender does more than just make drinks. He lives for what he does and learns, practices and participates in competitions. This kind of passion and expertise will also reflect onto the customer. Further to this his training to perform on stage enables a competing Flair bartender to remain calm and relaxed - even in stressful situations. This will enhance the customers experience and a return visit will be more likely.
Prejudice: Flair reduces the speed of service!
It may seem that the Flair bartender is wasting time in performing his tricks. Fact is though that the constant juggling of multiple objects dramatically increases the Flair bartenders multi tasking skills. This allows him to react faster and prepare drinks within a shorter time than a "normal" bartender would.
Flairing also trains and improves both halfs of the brain and allows the Flair bartender to use both arms to there full extension and efficiency. Pouring multiple bottles at the same time, picking up other items whilst pouring with the other hand or simply just giving the bartop a quick wipe, are only a few examples .
Flairing also trains and improves both halfs of the brain and allows the Flair bartender to use both arms to there full extension and efficiency. Pouring multiple bottles at the same time, picking up other items whilst pouring with the other hand or simply just giving the bartop a quick wipe, are only a few examples .
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Competing Flair bartenders also participate in speed competitions where they have to prepare a certain amount of cocktails as quickly as possible. The trick in those speed competitions is to reduce the number of working steps. As a result the Flair bartender will always combine as many working steps as possible, pour multiple bottles and never touch any object twice as his bar is set up with drinks and glass wear most efficiently placed on the bartop etc.
Fact - practicing flair will increase every bartenders efficiency and charisma behind any bar! |
Danilo Oribe, Speed Round at the world championships of bartending in Las Vegas!
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Fact: Flair is USP (unique selling proposition)!
What separates one bar from another? Both sell a selection of alcoholic beverages and probably food or barsnacks. So what motivates a customer to go to bar A rather than spending his money in bar B down the road?
One of the bartenders responsibilities is to create an unique experience and atmosphere which will inspire a customer to return.
One of the bartenders responsibilities is to create an unique experience and atmosphere which will inspire a customer to return.
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This is when the Flair bartender comes into play! Flair bartending is based on performance and interaction with the crowd and results in a high level of energy and positive vibe.
The customer will always have the feeling that he is receiving more for his money. He doesn't only get a great drink, he gets a great show! Even impatient customers will have something to watch while they are waiting for their drinks, this calms them and results in a happier, more relaxed atmosphere. Customers become curious as to what new tricks and performances the flair bartender may have to offer and will return to experience it all again! Last but not least - a Flair bartender is the cheapest attraction a manager can get for his venue. Flair bartenders makes money for the company whilst he is preparing drinks and entertaining the crowd. |
Prejudice: Flairbartenders work sloppy!
A lot of people think that a Flair bartender is very sloppy at work, quite the contrary! Competing Flair bartenders have to perform a pour test in most of their competitions. The Flair bartender here has to perform pours of different amounts with both hands similtaneously and as fast and accurate as the other. This constant practice makes Flair bartenders the most accurate.
Of course quality of drinks and service should always have priority but there is definately a big place for flair bartending in the modern bar industry.
If you are able to combine both attributes, you are the perfect bartender!
Of course quality of drinks and service should always have priority but there is definately a big place for flair bartending in the modern bar industry.
If you are able to combine both attributes, you are the perfect bartender!