"Chaos is that thing you're allowed to play with once you've become really good and really comfortable with what you're doing and who you are as a professional," says Kristine Gutierrez, general manager of New York's Mister Paradise. This statement underscores that mastery precedes creative liberty in cocktail bartending. It’s about having enough skill and knowledge to play with chaos without it just becoming a mess.
At Mister Paradise, a bartender pouring a drink into a sippy cup for a customer who spilled symbolizes the merging of hospitality with a relaxed atmosphere. Gutierrez emphasizes that the banter and humor come from an actual commitment to customer service, maintaining a fun yet organized environment.
Gutierrez explains, "Together, we know enough rules to finally allow ourselves to break a few of them, if not all of them; chaos without a foundation of trust, organization, and safety is just a mess." This highlights the essential balance that great bartenders strike between fun and professionalism.
Masahiro Urushido's lighthearted approach at Katana Kitten may have initiated the current trend in New York City towards more relaxed and enjoyable cocktail bars where serious education takes a backseat to fun and creativity.
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