Flip Your Bottle: The World of Flair Bartending

Flip, Jump, Balance, Extreme Moves, Breakthroughs, and Tension: Bar Flair and Flair Bartending

Main Types of Flair Bartending Styles

Globally, the main types of flair bartending can be categorized into two distinct styles: American Style and European Style (also known as Juggling Style and British Style). But what are the differences between these styles?

Juggle

The classic image of juggling often brings to mind a circus performer handling three bottles, thrown in succession (throwing object A, then while A is in the air, throwing object B, and catching A just before it falls, followed by throwing object C while B is in the air). This forms a continuous triangle pattern.

Advancing from juggling two objects to three marks a significant turning point. Regardless of whether the objects are bottles or shakers, the fundamental cycle involves one object always being airborne.

European Style

This style evolved from the early British style and incorporates many new elements such as tossing, grabbing, and body movements, integrating the bartender’s body with the bottle and shaker. In simple terms, any move where an object transitions from one side of the bartender’s body to the other creates what is known as “flair.”

Nicolas Saint-Jean, a legendary flair bartender known for his left-handed skills, revolutionized the American juggling style with his innovative moves, earning titles like the 2001 Dubai World Champion. His unique method of juggling three bottles opened a new path in flair bartending, becoming the pioneer of the British Style.

Juggling vs. Innovation

• Bartender A: "The traditional three-bottle cycle is monotonous—everyone does the same thing, with no movement or rhythm. It’s just repetitive motions with different objects."
• Bartender B: "This method has been passed down, and once you master the three-bottle juggle, you end with a bottle flourish. It’s difficult, but that’s the point!"
• Bartender A: "Because everyone does it the same way, these moves lack creativity and challenge. I can do a single-bottle routine with innovative tosses, catches, and unique grips that add variety beyond traditional juggling. And most importantly, it’s difficult to copy."
• Bartender B: "The traditional three-bottle cycle is visually impressive and challenging. For years, it’s been the go-to method for top flair bartenders, so it must be right!"
• Bartender A: "True, many top bartenders still use the traditional three-bottle style. However, more and more young talents are emerging with innovative moves to elevate their techniques."

Bartenders A and B may never agree, but flair bartending, as an international sport, thrives on diversity. Each region boasts top bartenders whose techniques become the standard for others to emulate. With videos readily available, bartenders unconsciously integrate the moves and sequences of these masters into their own routines.

Hungarian flair champion Szabolcs Soros inspired young bartenders in his region after winning several competitions. The Delpech brothers, with their steady, complex performances, have influenced generations of flair bartenders worldwide. Tom Dyer, who began during a time when British TGI Fridays competitions featured minimal moves with one bottle and one tin, defined basic movements to integrate into traditional juggling:

Key Techniques Defined by Tom Dyer

Split

A starting concept where items are thrown in a predetermined order and trajectory to create the foundation of a sequence. With precise timing, objects must separate in the air to set up the next move.

Snatch

A move where a bottle or shaker successfully enters another shaker. This powerful, effective move can be split into:

• Active Approach: Using a reverse grab to catch and incorporate a bottle or shaker into another.
• Passive Wait: Waiting for a bottle or shaker to fall into a shaker positioned along its trajectory.

Catch

This term encompasses any method where an object is fully controlled using any part of the hand. Examples include:

• Nest: Balancing a bottle or shaker on any part of another shaker.
• Stall: Stabilizing a bottle or shaker on any body part, such as the arm, hand, elbow, shoulder, head, or face.
• Grab: Controlling a bottle or shaker using the palm, fingers, neck, shoulders, arms, or thighs.

World-Class Flair Bartenders

Christian Delpech: Known for his Latin-style performances, Delpech's smooth, flowing routines combined with music and a confident smile create a captivating show.

Nicolas Saint-Jean: This French flair expert’s unique rhythm and movements laid the foundation for personalized flair performances.

Danilo Oribe: With his signature smile and flawless techniques, Oribe’s routines are precise, smooth, and seamless, exemplifying the art of flair.

Rodrigo Delpech: Unlike Christian Delpech, Rodrigo adds more body movement, but his real mastery lies in controlling multiple bottles and performing countless top flips and bounces.

Marek Posluszny: Known for his high-energy, complex, and entertaining flair routines.

Tomek Malek: Combines powerful, large-scale movements with stage charisma as a world champion.

How to Identify a Good Flair Bartender

Tom Dyer recommends evaluating with one bottle and one tin. Similar to classic cocktails, fewer elements highlight the level of difficulty. With one bottle and one tin, a bartender’s creativity and foundational skills are showcased, including whether they incorporate rhythm and body language.

Does the object move flatly from point A to point B, or is it filled with energy, speed, and flips? Whether in bar flair or regular bartending service, beyond fundamental skills, adding personal flair is key to drawing consumers back. Globally, flair bartending has matured, and routines are increasingly similar. Finding your own style and performance approach is the path to becoming a great flair bartender. Analyzing the diverse styles worldwide reveals that passion and dedication remain the common threads in this art.