By Rebecca Harris
Twenty of Australia’s top flair bartenders will descend on Sydney’s Nevermind nightclub tomorrow night (June 2) to battle it out for the last six places in the Bols Gods of Flair flair bartending grand final.
Three bartenders – Dan Farr, Robbie Stowe and Joao Paulo Rodrigues – are already through to the final, following their success at the first heat in April. A tenth place will be selected as a wildcard entry.
The art of twisting, spinning and bouncing liquor bottles and bar paraphernalia around while making cocktails, each competitor will have five minutes to create three cocktails – two in the ‘working flair’ style and one using the ‘exhibition flair’ technique.
‘Working flair’ focuses on producing a quality drink while entertaining the crowd, while ‘exhibition flair’ involves more complicated moves and specially-designed bottles.
The ten finalists will compete in the three-day final to be held at the Thredbo ski fields in July. The overall winner will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Amsterdam, along with a ‘VIP Bartending Experience’ at the Lucas Bols Bartending Academy.
The judging panel tomorrow night will include industry gurus Dan Woolley, Jason Crawley, Jared Plummer and Bols brand ambassador Michael Dackiw.