Enhance your drink-making skills at home and in a professional setting with high-quality bar accessories, designed to improve precision, efficiency, and presentation behind the bar. Whether you’re an experienced bartender or building a home bar setup, the right tools make all the difference.
Browse our full range of professional bar accessories ready for purchase.
Summary
- Why Quality Matters: Explains how professional-grade bar accessories improve efficiency and presentation.
- Professional vs Home Bars: Breaks down the differences in design and usage needs.
- Essential Bar Accessories: Covers must-have tools for functional, well-equipped bars.
- Branding & Aesthetics: Shows how coordinated accessories and custom branding enhance identity.
- Sourcing & Buying Smart: Guides readers on buying from hospitality wholesalers, and the benefits of bulk purchasing.
- Care & Maintenance: Provides practical tips for cleaning, maintaining, and storing bar accessories.
Why Quality Bar Accessories Matter
Whether you’re a professional bartender or a home enthusiast, investing in the right bar accessories can transform your setup.
Here’s why:
- Efficiency: Quality bar accessories improve speed and reduce errors. Investing in well-designed tools speeds up service, and makes your overall bar experience smoother and more enjoyable.
- Presentation: High-quality, aesthetic bar accessories enhance both the appearance and experience of your bar set-up.
- Durability: Choosing durable bar accessories ensures your tools withstand heavy use and maintain performance over time, offering longevity, saving money on replacements, and provide consistent reliability.
Professional vs Home
- Professional barware is designed for heavy, frequent use, made from durable materials like stainless steel, and is often larger in capacity to accommodate busy service.
- Home barware is usually lighter, more decorative, and easier for occasional, smaller-scale use, prioritising style and compatibility with home settings.
Professional Venues
For any professional venue, the right bar accessories are key to delivering an amazing experience. You need to consider the specific needs of your business to choose the best tools.
Here are some essentials to consider:
- Mixing Tools: For crafting consistent, high-quality cocktails that wow your customers.
- Glassware: Choose a range to cater for different drinks, from cocktails to wine.
- Ice Equipment: Efficient ice machines and crushers for perfectly chilled drinks every time.
- Storage Solutions: Optimise space with bottle racks and speed rails for quick, organised access to ingredients.
Consistency, professionalism, and regulatory compliance are essential in any professional bar environment.
High-quality tools ensure every drink meets the same standard, building trust and keeping customers loyal. The right accessories reflect your commitment to quality, and attention to detail. Additionally using professional-grade tools supports safety and regulatory requirements.
Branding & Aesthetics
Branding might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of running a bar but it plays a massive role in shaping your venue’s identity and the guest experience.
Here’s how:
- Custom Branding: Engraved or printed logos on glassware and tools.
- Material & Finish: Match barware finishes to your venue’s theme.
- Unique Touches: Invest in personalised coasters or signature glass shapes.
- Consistent Theme: Keep finishes and materials consistent.
Home Bar Setup
When setting up your home bar, you want to wow your guests with style and functionality. Choose bar accessories that are easy to use and built to last for an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Here’s some you need to impress:
- Stylish Glassware: Choose glasses that match your cocktails.
- Premium Shakers: A well-made shaker ensures precise mixing and adds a touch of class.
- Chic Ice Buckets: Keep your drinks cold and look good doing it.
- Cocktail Picks: These little details show you care.
- Starter Mixing Set: Includes jiggers, muddlers and measuring tools.
Opt for tools that simplify the mixing process, such as user-friendly shakers with measurements or dual-sided jiggers. Alongside ease of use, investing in durable bar tools ensures longevity in your home bar. Select long-lasting materials, stainless steel shakers and strainers, sturdy wooden muddlers, crystal glassware, and heavy-duty bottle openers.
Style can also elevate your home bar just as much as function, and choosing accessories that match your décor. Modern setups pair well with brushed stainless steel, copper or gold tones add vintage charm, and coloured glass brings a touch of personality. Coordinated sets look professional, but quirky pieces like novelty picks or creative bottle openers can spark conversation. Patterned bar mats and personalised glassware also add character.
Budgeting for a Home Bar
Here are some more tips for home bars:
- Essentials Only: Shaker, jigger, muddler, strainer.
- Style and Function: Choose items that match your home décor and are ergonomic.
- Consider your Options: Prioritise durable essentials. Look for sales or second-hand options to stretch your budget.
- Multi-purpose: Opt for tools that save space and add value.
Popular Types of Bar Accessories
Tools
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Cocktail Shakers (Boston, Cobbler, French) | Mix and chill cocktails. |
| Jiggers & Measuring Tools (Double-ended, Japanese, Bell, Thimble) | Measure spirits and mixers accurately. |
| Strainers (Hawthorne, Julep, Fine Mesh) | Separate ice, pulp, and solids from drinks. |
| Muddlers (Wood, Stainless Steel, Plastic; Flat or Textured Ends) | Crush fruits, herbs, and spices. |
Glassware
| Glassware | Use |
|---|---|
| Martini / Coupe | Chilled cocktails without ice. |
| Highball | Tall mixed drinks with ice |
| Lowball / Rocks | Short drinks over ice or muddled cocktails. |
| Wine Glass | Wine and wine-based cocktails. |
| Champagne Flute | Sparkling wine and champagne cocktails. |
| Shot Glass | Serving or measuring spirits. |
Other Equipment
| Equipment | Use |
|---|---|
| Speed Rails | Keep frequently used bottles organised and within reach. |
| Bar Mats | Provide a non-slip surface that catches spills and protects bar tops. |
| Pourers | Control and streamline pouring. |
| Ice Bucket, Tongs & Scoop | Store ice, maintain hygiene when handling it, and transfer larger quantities. |
| Bar Carts | Offer mobile storage and a functional workstation. |
| Shelves / Display Units | Organise and showcase bottles and glassware. |
| Bar Lighting / Décor | Enhance presentation, atmosphere and highlight premium items. |
Tips for Sourcing Equipment
How do you know your bar is equipped with the best tools? Start by sourcing from trusted suppliers who prioritise quality, consistency and service. Reliable suppliers ensure your bar accessories meet industry standards and improve your bar’s functionality and aesthetic.
Look for suppliers with a good reputation and reviews, consider building relationships with suppliers known for their customer service as this can lead to better support and discounts over time.
Here are some top suppliers for quality:
- Ascot Wholesale: Ensures quality, durability and a wide range of bar essentials suitable for both home setups and professional venues.
- Beaumont TM: One of the UK’s largest barware suppliers, offering a wide range of tested, competitively priced tools trusted across the industry.
- Drinkstuff: Stylish and unique bar accessories, providing a wide range of tools that are functional with added flair.
- Nisbets: Reliable bar tools for any environment, offering both essentials and advanced equipment
- Urban Bar: Luxury barware that blends functionality with elegant design, providing commercial-grade tools and glassware
- BarSupplies.com: A wide range of essentials, from shakers to glassware, making it a strong one-stop choice for basic and specialised tools.
- KegWorks: Supplies everything from draft beer equipment to bartending tools. Offering practical products, especially venues serving beer alongside cocktails.
- WebstaurantStore: A huge selection of bar tools, glassware and cleaning supplies, providing great value and stock for those seeking quality at competitive prices.
- Cocktail Kingdom: Favoured by professional bartenders for its premium, well-designed tools and glassware, offering durable products for serious cocktail makers.
Why Buy from Hospitality Wholesalers?
When you’re looking to stock your bar, wholesalers offer advantages you shouldn’t ignore.
First, you’ll get trade prices, up to 30-40% less than retail. This means your budget goes further and you can invest in quality. Wholesalers supply commercial grade, heavy duty products for high usage so that you can rely on them. You’ll also find everything you need in one place, so less hassle sourcing various essentials.
Lastly, expert service is a given with top wholesalers, as their staff know the products and can match them to your venue’s needs.
Benefits of Bulk Purchasing
Buying in bulk can improve your bar regardless of size.
Here’s how:
- Cost per Item: Lower prices with bulk orders, cut supply costs by 20-40%.
- Inventory Consistency: Uniform tools simplify staff training.
- Streamlined Operations: Fewer repeat orders save time and reduce supply chain disruptions.
- Easier Inventory Management: Centralised buying keeps stock levels and storage organised.
Cleaning and Maintaining Equipment
- Rinse tools immediately after use to prevent residue from setting.
- Wash with warm, soapy water; avoid harsh chemicals.
- Dry thoroughly with a soft towel to prevent rust and water spots.
- Sanitise tools daily especially those in contact with raw ingredients.
- Deep clean key equipment weekly and inspect for wear.
- Store cleaned tools in a dry, organised place.
- Use the right brushes for nozzles and small parts.
- Follow manufacturer guidelines for speciality items.
FAQS’s
Bar tools should be inspected regularly for cracks, warping, loose parts, or flaking finishes, and any item showing these faults should be replaced.
A noticeable decline in performance, such as shakers that no longer seal properly, strainers that shed metal or rust, or jiggers with illegible measurements, is a clear signal that upgrading your tools is necessary.
A versatile starter home bar typically includes a core set of spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and at least one style of whiskey, as these cover most classic cocktails your guests are likely to request.
Pair these with simple mixers like soda water, lemonade, and a couple of fresh juices, then add a few flavoured or plain sugar syrups to expand your cocktail options.
For shakers, jiggers, and strainers, stainless steel is generally the most durable option because it resists corrosion and rust and stands up well to years of frequent use.
Copper tools look striking but are softer, more prone to dents and scratches, and need regular polishing; copper plating can chip under heavy use, so they are better reserved for occasional service or decorative roles.
Why Ascot Wholesale?
Ascot Wholesale supports bartenders and home bar enthusiasts with professional-grade bar accessories designed to improve efficiency, consistency, and presentation at every level of service. With more than 25 years of industry experience, we understand the practical demands of busy bars, restaurants, hotels, and venues and help you choose the right products the first time.
We combine expert product guidance with competitive trade pricing on leading brands. Ascot Wholesale makes it easier to equip or upgrade your bar efficiently and cost-effectively. We offer great benefits such as trade accounts, flexible payment and leasing options and fast delivery, as well as our strong focus on service, helping us to build trusted partnerships.
Last Orders
Thank you for reading. We appreciate your time and wish you the very best with your new setup.
If you need any support along the way, we’re always here to help you make the most of your business with trusted support and quality equipment. Looking for more? Explore additional resources using the links below. ↓
