Paying for all your drinks can get expensive, so you’ll be doing yourself a favor if you can trick your friends into buying you a drink. And here’s how you do it and hopefully get a laugh out from your friend if he has a sense of humor.

Also, if you’re not looking to mooch off of your friends, it’s a great way to break the ice, entertain your friends and appear less of an alcoholic than you really are. There’s only so much conversation that you can do at the bar until someone needs to step up the entertainment factor. That someone could be you.

1) THE LAST OF US
THE WAGER: That if you and a friend take turns picking up, 1,2, or 3 coins/matchsticks from a pile of them, no matter how many coins/matchsticks your companion picks up you’ll be able to make him/her draw last.
HOW TO: Lay down a pile of exactly 17 coins/matchsticks and ask your friend to pick first. Make sure the total number of coins/matches picked up in each round is 4. Example: If he takes 1, you take 3; if he takes 2, you take 2. You always win.

2) TRICK NAPKIN KNOT
THE WAGER: That you can hold a napkin at two ends and, without letting go, tie it into a knot.
HOW TO: Fold your arms before you grasp the ends of the napkin; when you unfold them the napkin will have a beautiful knot.

3) DISCOMBOBULATED
THE WAGER: That your friend standing with his left ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and cheek pressed against the wall, can’t lift his right leg off the floor.
HOW TO: Tell him to follow your instructions and watch as the inebriated buffoon tries his hardest but fails every time.

4) EASY DOES IT
THE WAGER: That you can get the 100 Rupee note from under an inverted bottle resting on top of it without touching it or upsetting it.
HOW TO: Lay a crisp 100 Rupee note on the table and invert a bottle on its center. Now carefully roll the cash from one end so that the rolled up portion gradually pushes the bottle off the bill and onto the table. Be careful not to touch it with your hands.

5) MATCH SQUARE
THE WAGER: That you can form a square using two matches without breaking them in two.
HOW TO: Bend the matchstick into a right angle and form a square with them.

6) THE DANCING TOOTHPICK
THE WAGER: That you can make a toothpick dance around on another toothpick without flicking it with your finger.
HOW TO: You will need two toothpicks. Place the first toothpick between your forefinger and thumb of your dominant hand. Hold the second toothpick on your non-dominant hand and place it gently on top of the first toothpick in a perpendicular manner.
Now dig the toothpick on the nail of your middle finger and drag it upwards. This generates the friction to bounce the other toothpick in a magical manner. Make sure the movement is not noticeable to onlookers.

WORDS: ANKIT SHAKYA | PHOTOS: PRITAM CHHETRI | LOCATION: IRISH PUB

Is the occupation as fun as it seems? Do you really drown in alcohol and women? We talk to Pramod Shilpakar, the jazziest bartender from Isis Restro and Hookah Bar from Thamel to know what it takes to become a bartender.

1) How did you get into bartending? Was it something you always wanted to do or did it just happen?

I guess it just sort of happened. While I was studying back in Singapore, I worked in a bar. As the days passed, it grew onto me and I started enjoying it more and more. I liked being creative and having fun with my work. Meeting different people keeps things exciting.

2) How long have you been doing it?

I’ve been in it for the past eight years and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

3) What did you do before bartending?

Nothing special, really. I was just an ordinary college student who had more fun than studying.

4) Did you attend any course for professional bartending? Tell us a little about it.

At that time, I was studying hospitality and tourism management and working in a bar as a bar assistant as well. Luckily, my boss took a liking to me; he found my cocktails were pretty good so he promoted me to a bartender within a couple of months. For me, it was work and training at the same time.

5) What does it take to become a professional in this field?

You should know your spirits n liquor. Then it’s all about knowing the proportions and procedure to mix the drinks, how to handle the bar customers. Being pro active and having a sense of humor really helps as well.

6) Is it okay to drink while in the job? Have you ever been drunk in working hours?

It depends on the management and its policy. Having a drink is acceptable, but there’s no way you can be drunk on the job.

7) What are the perks of being a bartender? And what are the difficulties that come along with it?

You definitely get to know many people and you get to socialize. When you’re visiting other bars, you might get a free drink if they know you. Excel at what you do and you can even earn a handsome amount. Of course working in a constant state of noise can be stressful. Late night shifts harms your body, while your friends are having fun you have to work. Working hours aren’t always suited for everyone. And you can forget about getting days off on special occasions.

8) How do you deal with annoying or drunk customers? What is the most annoying thing that people do to annoy you (a bartender)?

The best way to handle annoying people is just to ignore them. As soon as you see them, just pretend that you are busy or sneak out to the washroom. I get easily annoyed with people who ask for discounts and start to bargain. It’s like dealing with a drunkard who comes to buy vegetables in the market and wants the cheapest rates. And drunk people can be very abusive as well.

9) Is there a moment/experience while you were bartending that you will always remember?

When I started working in a bar for the very first time, I used to taste cocktails with a straw and served the same straw to the customers. Unfortunately this girl noticed and flipped, then she complained about it to my boss and I ended up with an earful. I will never forget that moment and the cocktail that I was serving

10) Which is the most difficult drink to prepare and what are the skills required for it?

Every drink has to be perfect and there are a few strict procedures to make drinks. Personally, I think the Flaming Lamborghini is a pain, since you have to built a tower out of the glasses and flame it all the way. It’s risky; sometimes you might burn the customer’s face. You have to be extra careful.

11) Does being a bartender help in getting the girls?

(Laughs) This one took so long to answer but yes… maybe.

12) Which is your favorite drink?

I have always enjoyed making Bloody Marys. It’s simple, edgy and the ingredients are few of my favorite as well.

13) Do you receive tips? What is the biggest tip you’ve ever received?

I have received a few tips, but I still have not received one that increased my bank account by a huge margin.

Photos: Bibhas Maharjan Suwal