1954 Practical Bar Management by Eddie Clarke

PRACTICAL BAR MANAGEMENT

which generally, unfortunately for the unwary, forces the whisky out ofthe glass, either on to the table or into one's best friend's lap. Someone over in the corner must have backed a winner, it is a party of four and it may be interesting as they are ordering Champagne. The assistant having confirmed with the host that the wine is as ordered,has placed the bottlein a champagne cooler, beside which are four champagne glasses full of cracked ice, also some mossers and a silver dish of biscuits. The assistant seems convinced that the wine is perfectly chilled, and with the aid of a snow-white serviette he has removed the cork—there was no loud, vulgar, pop!—in fact, we would not have been aware of the extraction had we not been watching,and anyway the host doesn't look the type who would wish to announce to the room at large what his party were having to drink. A deft wipe with the serviette ensures that the mouth of the bottle is perfectly clean, then another movement of the hand and the ice from one of the glasses is deposited into the cooler. The glass is wiped and placed before the host, then into it is poured a taste of the wine for approval. The host is well satisfied and the same procedure with the remaining glasses is carried out, and one is placed before each guest. From the right-hand side of each person, and the ladies first, the wine is poured into the glasses, until lastly replenishing the host's glass. The bottle is replaced in the cooler and the assistant retires into the background, awaiting the appropriate moment to refill. Leaving our fellow creatures to enjoy their champagne in peace, we note a few of the incidentals about us in the way of amenities. Everything seems to be taken care of; for instance, should one need more fuel for the cigarette lighter, there is a complete little outfit to play with—true, it asks for a few coppers for some deserving charity, but in donating to its cause we do get something useful in return. Cigarettes and matches are plentiful, there seems to be every brand one could wish for, also there is no lack of changewhichissooftenliable toaggravateone in less well-run bars. Tucked away over near the entrance is ample space, when the seasons demand,to hang one's hat or coat, so there is no need to carry it into the room with one, and then try and find a place to park it without being a nuisance or making the establishment look like ajunk stall in Petticoat Lane.

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