Flair Bartending Lesson #37: Shot Stack
CAUTION: This move can be dangerous and potentially harmful to your guests. It should only be performed under certain circumstances and by someone who is 100% comfortable with the move – and even then is no guarantee of safety.
Let me repeat that: this move is potentially very dangerous. Even though I’ve performed this move many times it still occasionally falls apart on me and shatters the glasses. For this reason, I only perform this move for good friends or regulars who I think will be a bit more forgiving of me if the trick falls apart and breaks – which is still no guarantee of safety. By practicing or performing this move you are accepting this risk and responsibility and agree not to hold me liable for any incidents that may occur.
The shot stack is a different and impressive way to pour 2 or 3 shots. Rather than simply line up the glassware next to each other on the bar, you are stacking 2 or 3 glasses upon each other. When performing the Shot Stack, I prefer to pour shots neat – or straight from the bottle – to allow me one hand free in case the stack begins to fall. It is possible to pour mixed shots from a cocktail tin, but in either scenario the likelihood of liquid running down the side of the glasses increases the chances of the glasses slipping and falling.
In order to perform this move, you need to have stackable glassware. Most of the bars I have worked in used Libbey glassware, and I prefer to use their 4, 8, or 12 oz. Gibraltar style glass for this move.
Begin by placing the first glass on the bar, closer towards you than your guest. If the stack should fall, better to fall by you than by your customer. Next, place the 2nd glass on top of the 1st glass near the 3 o’clock position, with the bottom balancing on the rim of the 1st one. You may need to slightly rotate the 2nd glass and find where it feels the most stable. If you’re just pouring 2 shots, stop here.
If you’re going to pour 3 shots, pick up your 3rd glass and lightly place it on top of the 2nd glass near the 6 o’clock position (closer towards you.) Be sure to use your other hand as a safety net should either of the glasses begin to wobble or fall. You may need to adjust or rotate the 2nd glass to find the most stable position to hold the 3rd glass on top. You may also need to cautiously rotate the 3rd glass to find its most stable position. If the stack looks wobbly or begins to fall, stop and start over, or don’t continue. I know in the video I mention seeing someone perform a 4 shot stack, but I never have myself and I highly recommend not attempting it. Pouring 2 or 3 is just as impressive!
Practice this one at home A LOT before you ever even consider performing it at work. It has a tendency to slip and fall while you are pouring. I might even go so far as to say that you should only perform this at work if you work in a bar that has plastic glassware. I’ve seen this move fall and shatter and make a big dangerous mess on the bar. Use at your own discretion.
The Discussion...
