BOTTLES, glasses and alcohol will be flying through the air next week at one of Bournemouth's most popular town centre bars.

But there's no need to be alarmed, for it is all part of the So Flair Competition which takes place at Bournemouth’s Bar So in Exeter Road on Thursday.

Some of the world’s top bartenders will be flipping bottles and defying gravity in the annual contest to find the best in the business.

James Fowler, The Diageo World Class 2014 UK Champion, who owns The Larder House in Southbourne is one of the three judges of the annual event which is sponsored by Heineken, Bacardi, Nectar Imports, the Daily Echo and Eau de Vie.

The winner of the So Flair title will go on to represent the UK for the IBA World Final in Japan 2016.

This year’s entries include reigning So Flair championship World Flair bartenders from Japan to Argentina who will battling it out to be crowned So Flair Champion 2015.

Before the contest which starts at 8.30pm, there will be an informal open day from 2pm to 6pm, which for the fourth year will incorporate The Bournemouth Bartenders Grand Prix Competition allowing the finest bartenders (local and from around the country) to show off their cocktail making abilities.

Kevin Thomas who is presenting the show said: "We have got together with some of the most influential international spirit brands around and we welcome anyone who is curious or wanting to know a little more to come and see what the UKBG can offer, while also promoting our strong Bournemouth bar community and most important quality and responsible drinking."

The competition starts at 8.30pm sharp on Thursday November 26. Free entry.

Bar So is adjoined to one of Bournemouth’s most historic landmarks, The Royal Exeter Hotel and the 1812 restaurant and bar which is named after the date that the founder of Bournemouth, Captain Lewis Tregonwell, who took up residence there.

According to the restaurant’s literature, his was the first house in Bourne that derived from a geographical reference to the little Bourne (burna) meaning stream which was later to give Bournemouth its name.

The house was then purchased by Henry Newlyn in 1876 who extended the mansion and it became known as Newlyns Family Hotel. After numerous visits by the Royal Family it acquired its present title, The Royal Exeter Hotel.