Brasillian Flair Bartending

For my second in the series, I would like to travel across the Pacific and share with you a style that is completely different than that of the Japanese, short of their show-value. Like culinary styles, each has it's own merits and failings. Popular in American nightclubs from Las Vegas to Miami to Los Angeles, flair-tending has grown in popularity and complexity throughout the years. I can promise you that 'Cocktail' was only just the beginning, as the breakdancing craze of the 80's was the genesis of today's 'street dancing.' No other culture has embraced this style quite like Brazilians and they have had a firm leadership for the past 15-20 years, winning or placing in every world championship in this time.

The gentleman in this video is one of the best. If you will notice throughout his routine, he drops the bottle once and I noticed three edits- unheard-of execution for a routine of this difficulty. I might also point out that he is 'freestyling-' this is not a prechreographed routine (evidenced by some repetitive skills.) There are two basic styles of flair: working and exhibition. This is the latter. Working flair is meant to make a drink throughout the process, to make the distinction. So, without further ado...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn9lbIeXxfI

PS. Don't ask me about the dog! /shrug!

Well , he certainly is an impressive juggler but isn't this getting a bit away from actual bartending and drink construction? Or maybe I'm just being a bit of a curmudgeon.
If he's a REALLY GOOD bartender he'll remember to leave the ice out of Annmarie's coke!

I know it is not a big deal, but it is spelled Brasilian. They do this stuff at Legends.

Well , he certainly is an impressive juggler but isn't this getting a bit away from actual bartending and drink construction? Or maybe I'm just being a bit of a curmudgeon.
If he's a REALLY GOOD bartender he'll remember to leave the ice out of Annmarie's coke!

lol, cute!

That's kinda what I am trying to get at with this little series of bartending demos I have planned. I want to show that bartending is a craft with various approaches and that many of these approaches can be linked to cultural and aesthetic identities. For instance, the Japanese don't pride themselves on creating new drinks, but in the refinement of established ones. Americans, on the other hand, love creating new ones. So it truly does depend upon the path one takes. A nice parallel would be to point out the difference in the approaches of High French and Rustic Italian cuisines. Each to their own, yet both are great styles...

I know it is not a big deal, but it is spelled Brasilian. They do this stuff at Legends.

I am aware of the spelling, but was under the impression that it was a use reserved for those who spoke portuguese, much like Germany is called Deutschland by the Germans, or Ireland is called Eire by the Irish. I'll change the title, though, if only to take the eyesore away (cause I know that drives me nuts too!)

Only problem I can see is that he never fixed a drink. A customer could die of thirst watching a juggler.

For some reason, this makes me think of the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where the guy in the marketplace puts on the incredibly flashy display of swordplay just before Indy shoots him dead. It looks impressive, but in the end it's kind of useless.

It looks impressive, but in the end it's kind of useless.

I am in agreement for the most part, but there is another way to look at this. Depending on the venue where these drinks are being served it can attract business as well as girls. I have seen some of this bar tending flair in popular tourist spots in the Caribbean where there are a number of beach bars trying to attract the same cruise ship sheeple. Out of a line of bar shacks, the one with the guy doing the flair had a flock of chicks standing there watching. When a group of guys spots this scene,well its like flies to.... Most often I would see one guy making the drinks and the other guy just doing the bottle tossing.

cruise ship sheeple

Love this term.

For some reason, this makes me think of the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where the guy in the marketplace puts on the incredibly flashy display of swordplay just before Indy shoots him dead. It looks impressive, but in the end it's kind of useless.

Heelarious! I haven't had my first cup of coffee and this was the funniest thing I heard all week. You could hear me laughing across the street!

cruise ship sheeple

Love this term.

Hey .. don't be knocking us sheeple. In about three weeks Sandy and I will be sheeple where it is warm and drinks are cold on a big boat. The rest of you will be non-sheeple, cold, damp, icy. GO SHEEPLE

We, of course, will follow all instructions by the sheeple leaders and loving it.