Message 1836 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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Welcome, and thanks for introducing yourself so well.

Like Jam, I also find the catching on the back of the hand trick 
less-than-impressive. Not least because it is always a 'stop' in working flair 
and hence slows things down compared to many of the other motions. But it's 
another thing to have in your box of tricks.

> Pourers - I only spin and throw bottles in my bar that have no 
> pourers (or spouts on) - I'm asuming everyone else has some sort of 
> spout that does not let the fluid come out - or has a seriously quick 
> spin - can someone help?!?!?

I started with that misconception also. Nope, any pourers with stops are more 
likely to work against you than not. Don't go there.

BUT having pourers of some description is virtually required, they don't stop 
a flow if the physics are wrong, but they do contain most splashes and will 
choke 80% of what would otherwise go flying in the intermediate moves.

Against expectations, almost all good flair IS, as JAM noted, done with 
mostly-empty bottles. If you're setting up for a real flair-focused evening, 
it's not uncommon to 'cheat' and load the rack with almost-empty bottles, 
replacing them with more almost-empty bottles as needed. Pay no attention to 
the bar-back behind the curtain.

There are a few dozen throws that can be done with full-ish bottles. They do 
look good, but two main problems with these is that 
- there's more liquor at stake (sh*t happens) and 
- they are damn heavy and can put your shoulder out over the course of an 
evening.

Very quick spins, keeping a high centre of gravity, can get you by if the 
bottle is about 1/3 full, but the risk is high.

> Two - I keep seing bartenders do a trick with a matchbook that one of 
> you may be able to decipher.  They get a matchbook and they seem to 
> throw it across the bar and it either lights a match on impact with 
> the bar or its lit and doesn't go out whilst being thrown

I'd imagine it is lit during the flick - the match flare would sustain it fine 
during flight. 
Step one is to be able to light from a matchbook one-handed without removing 
the match. That (IMO) is slightly cooler and more useful than sending it 
across the room. I don't think I want a flaming missile coming my direction.
I do it with my thumb, the trick is to get your thumb back out of the way 
before the flare fuses to your skin!!!

There are a few websites out there that may take you a little further, but 
describing the grips etc in words doesn't work so well. You need videos or 
up-front observation. Keep searching a little, start with the Webtenders links 
page.

cheers, .dan.