Guide to Essential Bar Supplies
One of the simplest yet most vital steps to running a bar successfully is making sure it is well equipped. Having the correct bar supplies in stock, and in the right quantities, is crucial for anyone opening a new bar or for any venue expanding their drinks service. Sure, there are plenty of items you will need to purchase, but the good news is that a simple guide of essential bar supplies is on hand to help you through the entire process.
Bar Accessories
There are a number of items that should be part of any bar equipment toolkit. Can openers, 100% cotton bar towels, a bottle opener and bottle sealers, commercial-grade blenders to smoothly blend cocktail ingredients together, the measurement tool known as a jigger, bar spoons, cocktail strainers, corkscrews and beer bottle openers, a heavy cutting board, cocktail shakers, a grater and zester, a citrus extractor, measuring cups and sharp knives are just some of the small items that have their uses in a well-equipped bar.
Bar mats and runners are also vital for any bar. They absorb and disperse spills or drips, preventing liquid from pooling on the bar and helping you to keep the bar area dry clean and safe, while also saving staff members from having to constantly mop up. Anti fatigue mats provide joint relief for bar staff, helping them to stay comfortable through hectic shifts. They also provide an added level of safety against slips due to wet floors.
Spirit Dispensers and Measures
Spirit dispensers and spirit measures help bars to be compliant with serving size legislation, and with inventory control, helping you to maximise profit per drink. There are a wide array of measuring and dispensing solutions including spirit pourers and the likes of a thimble measures and jiggers.
Your bartenders will greatly appreciate installed bottle brackets and shot rails which are of great assistance in storing and organising liquor bottles. The more streamlined the bar workspace, the more efficient the drink serving!
Cocktail Equipment
Cocktails are wonderfully popular and all bars should ensure they have the kind of equipment necessary for their successful preparation. A basic list of all the equipment needed for the preparation of cocktails would have to include:
Glassware
There are numerous kinds of glassware that come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, all of which serve their own purpose. It is extremely beneficial for bar staff to be aware of which glasses are best suited to serving which drinks, as that knowledge and execution is a reflection on the establishment itself. All glassware should be spotlessly clean before it is given to a customer. Depending on the establishment and the type of glass, this might mean being hand washed in warm water with detergent, rinsed cold and polished, or being finished in a commercial glass washer. Glasses should be held by the stem or base to avoid leaving finger marks.
The glasses that are likely to be essential to the great majority of bars include:
The Beer Mug
Beer mugs are heavier beer glasses that are defined by their volume. They are available in a range of different shapes and sizes, some of which even include a lid. The beer mug is also by far the best glass to use to make sure that a drink remains cold due to the fact that the hand of the drinker does not have to hold the glass directly. In Australia the most popular form of beer mugs are the traditional Tankard mug, which features straight sides, and the Stouter Mug, which comes with a dimpled surface. Mugs are ideal for all forms of ale and stout.
The Pint Glass
When it comes to stouts, ales and IPAs, the classic pint glass remains the most popular choice. Almost cylindrical, with the glass mouth made wider by a slight taper, pint glasses are ideal for both drinking and storage purposes. Pint glasses are referred to by different names in different areas of Australia, usually because of the size, and such a variety of monikers appears to be unique to this country. A 285ml beer glass is referred to as the Schooner in bars and pubs in South Australia, but referred to as a middy in New South Wales and Western Australia, with other regions just referring to it as a pot. Just to make things confusing, in all states apart from South Australia, the Schooner is a 425ml glass. Whatever the size or name, the pint glass is perfectly suited to stone cold ales and stouts.
The Pilsner Glass
This classic beer glass is tall and slender and able to lock in carbonisation, a structure that serves to enhance volatile compounds such as hop oils, yeast fermentation by-products and spices, all of which are beer evaporations responsible for its unique smell. The structure also increases head retention, making it the perfect glass for those pale lagers that feature stronger carbonation. The Pilsner glass is also the perfect choice of glass for showcasing the attractive colour, carbonation and transparency of a blonde ale, bock or pilsner.
The Tulip
The tulip glass comes with a body that is perfect for supporting the formation and the preservation of big foam heads on beer. Beer companies all over the world make use of this glass in promotional campaigns for lager and pilsners and tend to be particularly linked to stronger brews as well as head crushers such as quads and triples. The glass has a bulbous shape that is great for showing off the better properties of strong ale, Imperial stout, a double or a big saison.
The Snifter
The Snifter is traditionally most associated with brandy and cognac, although it is also a good complement for stronger beers. The glass has a smaller size than tends to be the case with other beer glasses, making it an ideal fit for brews with a higher percentage of alcohol. The bowl shape of the Snifter, sitting atop the thin stem, enables it to effectively showcase the one of a kind flavour associated with strong dark beers, making their aroma go direct to the nose. For any strong or heavy beer, and particularly Imperial Stouts, the Snifter is the best choice of glass.
Weizen Glass
The weizen glass is specifically made to hold wheat beers in order to ensure that the pure citric aromas are kept contained within the glass for the complete flavour enjoyment of the customer. Hefeweizens should always be served in this glassware, and is also perfect for the likes of weizenbocks, kristalweizens and dunkelweizens.
Craft Beer Glass
The craft beer glass comes with a thin base that ensures particular aromas remain locked inside, ensuring that each sip will contain hop’s unique taste. Craft beer glasses are specifically designed to ensure the complete aroma complexity remains, allowing it to demonstrate its optimum balance, flavour and texture.
Champagne Glasses
Champagne glasses come in three main varieties — the champagne flute, the champagne coupe and the champagne tulip.
The champagne flute is a tall but narrow glass with a stem that can be medium to long. Most flute glasses will also come with a point on the base of the glass that causes the carbonated bubbles to congregate and then move to the head of the glass, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also captures the wine’s aroma and flavour. The champagne coupe, also called the champagne saucer, is a shallow glass with a short stem and wide rim that are the oldest kind of champagne glass. The champagne glass is similar to the champagne tulip but has a rim that is curved inward. This kind of champagne glass also comes with a wider bowl and is recommended for the consumption of the best French champagnes due to the wider bowl better capturing and preserving the flavours and taste.
Martini and Cocktail Glasses
Martini/cocktail glasses possess the traditional cocktail glass conical shape that automatically brings to mind the image of James Bond, so has become known as the Martini glass despite being able to be used for many cocktails. These glasses come designed in different styles including painted, frosted and even without stems, although the stem is important for the glass to be able to be held without body heat warming the drink. Cocktail glasses vary in size, reaching up to 10 ounces; although 6 ounces is really the optimum size, as cocktails otherwise lose their freshness by the time the last couple of sips have been reached.
Wine Glasses
There are a wide variety of wine glasses used for many different types of wine, including:
Wine Accessories
Wine accessories that should be a requisite item for any bar include:
In addition to beer and wine glasses there are a number of other glasses that most bars will need a stock of, including shot glasses, gin glasses, port glasses, brandy glasses, hiball glasses, sherry glasses and Collins glasses. Highball glasses and Collins glasses are very similar to each other, holding a similar volume of between eight and sixteen ounces, although hiball glasses are usually stouter and normally top off at ten ounces, while Collins glasses are generally taller and narrower with a shape almost resembling that of a chimney. All bars should have highball glasses, though Collins glasses can also be convenient. Brandy glasses, sometimes referred to as brandy snifters, are glasses with short stems that have a fairly narrow top and a wide bottom. They can also be used to serve other aged brown spirits such as whisky and bourbon, with the contained liquid helped to evaporate by the large surface area and the aroma being trapped in the glass by the round bottom, thus ensuring the liquid is warm.
Bar Refrigeration and Cooling
The creation of most beverages that are served in bars use items that are necessary to keep refrigerated or even frozen in order to ensure they will create drinks that are safe and delicious. There are a number of products that are used for extremely specific purposes, but the great majority of all bars will need either some or all of those that are listed in this guide.
Bottle Coolers, Beer Fridges and Drinks Fridges
A bottle cooler, also sometimes referred to as a liquor well, is a cooler that bears a similar appearance to that of another essential bar supply, an ice bin, but the purpose of which is to hold liquor and to be able to mix different bottles, all of which need to be kept at a cool temperature. There is enough depth in a bottle cooler to be able to keep bottles stored in an upright position and there should also be enough clearance that it is possible for the bottles to feature pour tops.
Bar fridges typically come in a diverse selection of sizes that display drinks while also fitting neatly beneath and behind the bar.
Cooler and Tap
There are many different kinds of bar setups, and almost as many kinds of coolers to suit them. Some coolers may be full refrigerators; some may be smaller and more compact types of cooler, while still more are made for specific products such as beer keg coolers requiring the presence of a tap handle. A single bar may require all or just one of these types of coolers, depending on the kind of drinks they offer and the amount and type of business they receive.
Frozen Drinks Machines
Frozen drink machines are essential supplies for bars that serve ‘frozen’ drinks on a very frequent basis. These machines generally come with multiple containers and are particularly favoured by bars that serve many margaritas and/or daiquiris.
Ice Bins
Ice bins are a vital supply for any kind of bar, as the large majority of drinks will feature ice or make use of ice that has been blended with a variety of other ingredients. Ice bins tend to be narrow, long coolers with enough depth to be able to store a great amount of ice. Some coolers come with a slider or flip-flop on the top that are easy to open and an ice scoop may be required, many of which tend to actually be stored within.
Blenders
Blenders are able to be used to create many different kinds of drinks and the great majority of bars will have at least two as these machines have to be cleaned after each use. Look for a high quality commercial blender that can stand high-usage environments.
Bar Service Supplies
The serving of drinks is the single most important aspect of any bar. There are innumerable items designed to serve drinks currently available on the market today, but the most important are those basic items that no bar will be able to function without. These items include a selection of different glasses and mugs as well as stirrers, spoons, napkins, menu covers, aprons and picks.
Many currently popular drinks require speciality ingredients and organised preparation. Fruits, vegetables and decorative features could require kitchen equipment such as:
Bar Furniture
Stylish and high quality bar furniture such as bar chairs, bar stools, bar tables and outdoor bar furniture are vital to ensure that you are able to create the atmosphere that you want your bar to have.
Are you looking for metal or wooden bar stools? Something colourful or more neutral? You will need to take into consideration factors such as the durability, materials and overall style of the furniture that you place in your bar to ensure your customers are able to be comfortable while enjoying their food or drinks.
Other items of bar furniture that are a good idea to feature in your bar include cigarette bins for your smoking clientele, and barrier ropes. A good sound system can also be a good investment in creating the overall ambience of the bar that you desire.
Bar Cleaning Supplies
Not only is making sure that a bar is clean and sanitary crucial for the comfort and health of your customers, it is also a requirement of law. It is therefore of the greatest importance to have and to make use of the right kind of cleaning supplies on a regular basis in order to make certain that not only is the bar itself sanitary, but that so too is the preparation and serving of consumable products. There are many available products that can help to keep a bar clean and can do so with advanced quality and efficiency, but the absolute basic essentials for any bar in this regard are:
Stocking a Bar
Research
Research is vital before anyone sets about the task of stocking a bar. It is necessary to always research any desired item and to learn where the items are manufactured and by which company. It is impossible to be too knowledgeable about the products you will be using to stock your bar and thorough research ensures that buyers will have the ability to make comparisons between products much more easily while also being able to find the best price for the items they want.
Quality
It is vital to know which items are of good quality and how they can be expected to perform when used in a bar. Items can be acquired from a wide variety of different manufacturers, all of whom will have their own particular materials and designs for the products that they create. Ensuring that an item of good quality is the one that is purchased can make a big difference in the item’s performance and longevity, which can also have a major impact on the bar’s operating costs.
Budget
Prior to the purchasing of any major bar item such as frozen drink machines or coolers, it is of the greatest importance to have come to a decision on the amount of money it is appropriate to spend on these purchases. The level of profit that a bar will be able to make can be enormously affected by whether too much money is spent on a particular product or if several items that are not necessarily required are also bought. All shoppers for bar supplies should endeavour to find the balance between spending within a certain budget that will not result in financial problems and buying the quality products that they require.